Rugged Fire [Rugged Savage Valley, Colorado 4] by Edith DuBois Page A

acting on entirely selfish motives. “I promise you, it wasn’t just for my business. I mean, what he’s offered me is really great, and you know that. I don’t have to tell you what this could mean for me, but there other reasons, Jamie. I’ve been asked not to share them, but I promise, the money is just a part of it.”
    Jamie rolled her eyes. “If I didn’t know you as well as I do, I would say you’re full of shit. As it is, I’m still thinking about saying it.” She clanked her glass down on the counter and moved back in to the living room.
    She seemed to have calmed down a bit, so Lianne went on. “And there’s another part of this.”
    “Uh-huh?”
    “I’m not sure…” She bit her lip, unsure of how to phrase it. “I mean, with the way things are…”
    “Spit it out.”
    Lianne shot her best friend an annoyed look. Jamie shot one right back. “I don’t think working with the twins is such a good idea anymore.”
    “Not this again. You are so damn stubborn, Lianne.”
    “You don’t get it. I care about them. I have since I was twelve years old. I thought I’d gotten over it, that I’d moved on, matured, become an adult and all that. But being around them, it’s like I’m in high school all over again. I’m awkward, and I stutter, and I feel so unsure of myself. But I’m not that way anymore. With my business, I’ve found so much of myself—my strength and my purpose. They just don’t go together. I see that now, and I think I shouldn’t try to force those parts of myself together. It won’t work.” Lianne knew that answer wasn’t entirely true. She knew that if the twins had returned her interest, she would have continued working with them in an instant, awkwardness and stuttering aside. She didn’t want to admit what had happened on the porch. It was so pathetic, and the more she thought about it, the more pathetic it seemed.
    “Or you’re being a big weenie.”
    “Don’t be rude, Jamie.”
    “Look, I’m sorry I don’t feel sorry for you. If you want the Carson twins, go for it. If you don’t, please don’t whine about it to me. You’re a big girl. You have to make your own choices. As for me, I’m going to take a shower. Then tonight I’m going out and getting laid by two men who love me and don’t try to manipulate me every five seconds.”
    “Love you? What do you mean love you? Did they say that?”
    Jamie didn’t answer, only glared. Lianne could tell her guard was up. “Jamie, tell me.”
    “What if they did?”
    “Did you say it back?”
    “No wonder the twins don’t want to mess around with you. God, you are so serious about everything. It’s just a word. And yes, I did say it to them, and yes, they said it to me. Because yes, we love each other. Is that so complex an idea for you to wrap your head around? Love isn’t some crazy, complex entity that takes years and years to understand. You either love someone or you don’t and then you either act on that love or you don’t. It’s your choice. And it’s my choice to love Ezra and Cleve, and if you don’t like that, too bad. You’re my best friend, Lianne, but you don’t have the right to judge me about this. I mean, would it kill you to be happy for me?”
    “I’m just concerned. I don’t want you—”
    “ Oh my god! ” Jamie waved her hands in the air. “I don’t want to hear it, okay? I don’t want to hear another damn word. Just forget it.” She stomped across the living room and into her room, slamming the door behind her. Lianne jumped at the noise. Then she let out a long sigh. She knew that Jamie would have a hard time accepting her decision, but only time would prove that she’d done it more for Jamie than for herself. She’d have to work her ass off to ensure not only that her business was a success, but that Jamie and her father found a way to resolve some of their issues.
    She only wanted to help.
     
    * * * *
     
    Another cloud of hairspray blew into Will’s face. He