“Indulge me a little bit. What are these two Adonises you met earlier today like?” she asks.
“Honestly, it was impossible for me to ignore how strong and manly they both are when we all sat in Jake’s kitchen right after my arrival. I mean, I was dizzy from all that alpha-male testosterone flying in the air.”
“Damn, girl. Now I’m totally jealous. Don’t get me wrong, Gaven is a nice piece of eye candy, but you get to drool over these panty-drenchers all summer long,” she laughs. “Give me more details. Don’t hold back.”
Gwyn can turn the shittiest day into something that seems to have jumped off of the screen of a Disney movie.
“Well, Hunter, Jake’s business partner, is outspoken, impulsive, rugged and very tall. His jet-black hair only emphasizes his striking dark brown eyes and makes him that much more delicious. I’m sure life on the ranch is demanding, which would explain his impressive muscle mass, but his strong lean body had such an effect on me.”
“Oh, God, girl, my tongue is hanging out from that description. What about Riley’s brother?”
“Jake on the other hand is more subdued. He’s not quite as tall as Hunter, but I’m certain he stands at least six-three. The man is illegally hot. He’s totally my type since you know I’ve always been a sucker for men with blue eyes. He immediately caught my attention.”
“See, another reason to say amen and hallelujah your ex was a philanderer.”
“You kill me. Let me continue telling you about Jake,” I respond, more excited than I’ve been in a long time.
“Honey, don’t let me stop you.”
“My boss’ older sibling has such a commanding presence it’s disarming.”
“Ohhh.”
“I’m telling you, when he speaks, his deep voice reverberates through my entire body and during the time we spent together I couldn’t stop looking at his hands. His very large hands.”
“Hmmm, that big?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Gosh, it’s like you’ve landed in heaven.”
“I think I’ve landed in hunk heaven for sure because when those two smile, I drool.”
Suddenly I look at the clock on the wall in the kitchen and I realize I have to start getting ready for dinner.
“Listen, I love you, but I’m going to have to call you tomorrow. I still have to get ready for dinner.”
“All right. I love you right back. Chin up and go get them. Both of them.”
“You’re crazy.”
“No. You deserve it.”
Once I hang up with Gwyn, I’m bursting with newfound confidence. Thank God for her. She’s always able to help me see myself in a new light.
I quickly put my clothing away in a wardrobe and place a few folded pieces in the gorgeous antique-looking drawers. I peel off the clothes I’m wearing and hit the shower. The cool water running down my body is a welcome treat considering it’s surprisingly hot in Colorado. I grab my bottle of pink grapefruit-scented shower gel and my shower pouf to lather my body. I catch sight of my stomach and wonder how much my gaining weight played into Clark’s decision to sleep with other women.
Oh, well. It doesn’t matter anymore. I brush off the thought and continue rinsing off my body. As I turn off the water and step out of the tub, I realize in some ways I should be grateful I walked in on my ex while he was cheating on me because what we shared had false depth and lacked any spark—I can see it clearly now. It still hurts and it’s still humiliating, but at least I don’t have to grovel every night for his attention anymore.
I walk into the bedroom to get dressed and to blow-dry my hair. I allowed myself two indulgences for this trip. I had no choice but to bring my hairdryer because my long mane cascades all the way down to my waist and it’s so full, it takes forever to dry. I have to thank Clark for the second indulgence. People do incredible things for love, particularly for unrequited love, and I’m no exception. In a desperate attempt to save my relationship, I got rid of all my older underwear one Saturday morning and I spent hours on Rosie’s Secret Lingerie’s website shopping for new lingerie to ignite the fire we had lost, but not even expensive, delicate underwear and in some cases downright naughty showstoppers would convince Clark to take a second look at me—not since he had started his affairs with Paula and the other women he’d been fucking. I might not have brought fashion-worthy country-style clothing, but I have some pretty incredible lingerie no one will ever get to see.