Page 27 of Country Charm

Green eyes dart up to mine and her pouty lips purse. For a girl only looking for a good time, she sure is acting a bit strange.

“I guess even the most conservative people generate some waste,” the friend chimes in.

“I guess so. Since y’all are stayin’ overnight, are you guys goin’ to check out our summer cookout? It’s tonight, should be a good time.” I smile at her friend, trying to entice her to drag Cassidy out so I can gain a few more moments with her.

“Funny! The girl over at that soap stand was talking about the same thing. She said you guys have good music, food, games, and people. Will you be there?” she asks. I hand her the vegetables.

“Ten even. Yeah, I’ll make an appearance. I like to help with the setup and breakdown.”

Cassidy looks me square in the eyes and tilts her head to the side. Her friend hands me the money and beams. “Well, maybe we will just have to come on out tonight and check it out!”

They’re about to leave, but I want Cassidy to linger.

I wish she was behind my stand, sitting on the tailgate of my truck, telling me about the chapters she read this morning while I set up. I wish she was in cutoff shorts and boots or even her high tops. I wish she would talk to me.

A part of me wonders why I’m not saying anything to her, but maybe this isn’t one of her friends from the prankster group of gal pals she was telling me about.

I think better of calling Cassidy out and bringing attention to the fact that I already know her. Hopefully, she’ll come out tonight and want to talk to me if we get a chance to escape the crowds. I just smile at them all and plead with my eyes for Cassidy to still hold interest.

Chapter Fifteen

Cassidy

“Damn, that was one fine man,” Mary says as we walk back toward the bed-and-breakfast.

“I can’t even deny that he was pretty hot,” Trent adds.

“He’s just another man you guys, nothing greater or lesser about him than any other,” I say flatly.

“Did you even really look at him, Cass? He was an eleven out of ten.” Mary is practically panting.

“Ouch,” Trent pouts. Trent’s mom has left us to run to the corner drugstore to get something for her headache. Apparently, the amazing fresh air from Hunter’s quaint, small town is giving her a fragrant migraine.

“Anyway, I think he and the soap stand girl have something going on. I saw them together earlier before we went to her stand.” I am trying to sound casual but even I can hear the slight edge to my tone.

“Hmm, he didn’t say anything about it when we talked about the cookout, like, ‘Oh yeah me and my girlfriend will be there’. He seemed kind like he was making an appearance to be more of a helping hand than to have fun. Maybewe could go, and you could show him a good time, Cassidy.” She’s all but glowing at the idea of setting me up.

That’s all I need—to have two of my girlfriends set me up with the same guy I was already kind of into. But not like seriously into, more like the kind of into that involves conquest and really great sex.

“Look, we are here to check out the town and show future Mom the church. We are not here to try and set me up with the Brawny Man over there.”

“The Brawny Man is a lumberjack.” Mary’s tone is all high and proud. Like proving me wrong on what kind of profession the Brawny Man had gives her a point. I just squint my eyes at her.

“Beside the point.”

“We should go anyway. My mom will be asleep or in for the night, and it will help you relax.” Trent runs his hand through Mary’s hair. My girls and their doting men, it’s so sweet.

“You guys should totally do it. I have plans with a soaker tub and a book.”

“You could do that every day at home! Come out for me, please!” Mary full-on pouts and clasps her hands in front of her in a pleading motion. Trent joins in with her and they both look pathetic.

“If I say I’ll go, will you both stop?” It’s like they are already a connected soul. They both stand straighter, smile, and start nodding. “Stop doing that, you’re creeping me out.”

“You’re going to have a blast, Brawny Man or not! I promise.”

“Damn Country Charm,” I mutter.

“Oh, I like that even better. He totally has that southerncharm about him, doesn’t he Trent?” I roll my eyes in Trent’s direction, and he just shrugs and laughs.

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