CEO FALLS IN LOVE

hey kept things going while I was in college, but with only two weeks home, Mom sat me down and asked, “Would it upset you if we moved to Austin?” We'll take care of t

g his head as if he thought I was an apparition. — I'm fine, a little injured. The guy took advantage of my broken arm. He raised his forearm to me, showing the cast from wrist to elbow. The cowboy looked a little dazed, his clothes out of place. He struggled to stand up before reaching over to me for support. He was big, and I staggered trying to hold on to the weight of Grace's brother. After straightening his spine, as if realizing he could stand up straight, Jared bent to the ground and grabbed his hat, placing it on his head with some grace before smiling. Six years. Six years since the kiss, the goodbye, of my silly heart that was in love with the cowboy in front of me. —What happened to your arm? — I asked, filling the void after both he and I spent a few seconds analyzing each other on the sidewalk in front of my house, mentally noticing the changes since the last time we had seen each other. — Rodeo training. — Are you still riding? I thought you stopped... — A pedestrian never stops, little one. A prize can change a cowboy's life and the ranch always needs help. — He looked up, as if thinking better of his words, and said in an irritated tone, pointing the cast at me. —But I was forced to retire. Too many accidents... — Were you injured? — Just the arm — he added. — But there was an accident with another of the pedestrians... — He hesitated and looked at his hand, purposefully avoiding the subject, and added: — I think it must swell. I've only had the cast on for a few days and the idiot hit me hard on the floor. — Come on, let's go upstairs, I'll put a steak in your face. - It is not necessary. — Of course you need to, come! — I said and pulled him towards the door, with Jared following me in silence. That same house. That same staircase. It had been so long. I tried to push the thoughts away, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach as I dragged Jared Richards to my kitchen counter. Then, I took a piece