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“I figured that awkward tension must have a reason,” Rhett quips. He holds out his hand to shake Craig’s. “Nice to meet you, Craig. I’ve heard… well, actually, she doesn’t talk about you much.”
Craig’s torn his gaze off me, looking at Rhett directly now.
The assessment happens in real time—one man measuring up another, then the dismissive flicker of amusement that follows once he’s decided the other’s not a threat.
My ex takes in Rhett’s checkered button-down shirt and calloused hand and the worn leather boots on his feet, and he’s decided this man is barely worth a handshake, let alone serious consideration.
“Rhett the ranch hand,” he says, the corner of his mouth twitching. “I would’ve guessed you’re the town doctor.”
“Easy mistake to make. A lot of doctors are good looking.”
I almost smile at how Rhett’s taken Craig’s passive-aggressive slight in stride, turning it into a joke in typical Rhett fashion.
It chases away the smug tilt to my ex’s mouth. He clears his throat and diverts his gaze back to mine. “Yes, well… takes a lot more to be a doctor than good looks. Though Vivica’s always had both.”
“No need to flatter me, Craig,” I say. “Normally, once the divorce is over, there’s no need to sweet talk each other.”
“You know better than that, Viv. I tell it like it is and always will. Just like you’ve always been a bombshell… with brains. Is it against the rules to talk highly of my wife?”
“Ex-wife.”
“Point still stands.”
“Listen, we’ve got to go,” I say, gesturing between Rhett and myself. “You’ve interrupted our evening.”
More humor flashes in his eyes. He looks at our linked hands. “I can see that. But how about coffee sometime? Just to catch up, for old time’s sake while I’m in town.”
“It would probably be better if we didn’t.”
“Can’t blame a man for asking. You two enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Craig nods his head at us and then starts back down Main Street as if any other tourist exploring what the town has to offer.
Rhett and I hang back for a couple seconds.
“You alright?”
“Hmm? Oh, fine. I just… wasn’t expecting to see him here, of all places. It’s been a long time, and it brought back a lot of memories.”
“Then how about we change the scenery? You up for finally getting to check out my music collection?” Rhett asks, giving my hand a squeeze. “We can wash away the taint of your ex’s memory with a nightcap and some vinyl?”
I smirk. “A man after my own heart.”
We do our best to salvage what’s left of our date night, though even drinks and some music can’t erase the weirdness of Craig’s appearance.
Rhett puts on some slow music hoping to create a relaxed atmosphere, but it works maybe a little too well. We wind up trading yawns and fighting sleep. A few sips into my whiskey sour, I’m thinking about bed.
My head’s heavy with too many conflicting thoughts.
Rhett tries to keep the mood light, playfully pulling me into his arms to dance. I indulge him as he spins me in the middle of the living room, and I wind up pressed against his chest.
“One thing your ex got right—you are a bombshell with brains… and great music taste.”
A little smile comes to my face as he bows his head and kisses me sweetly on the mouth. We sway in place for a moment, kissing and listening to the music.
Trying to recapture the magic from our dinner at The Barnyard.
But as Rhett’s hands wander, sliding down my back and resting inches above my backside, I’m acutely aware of how… not in the mood I am.
