Page 31 of Country Charm

“How have your breakups gone over, Hunt?”

“I haven’t had a real girlfriend since freshman year of high school, I think. I couldn’t really tell you.”

“Not a dog, huh?” She crosses her arms and raises that brow at me.

“Okay, I’m no angel. But nowadays I’m looking to take things more seriously.”

“Just my luck.” She rolls her eyes. My brother—two people back—barks out a laugh at her response. She turns to look but he has a phone to his ear.Smooth.

“What about the soap girl? Anything going on there?” Cassidy makes a move to step away from me, but I don’t let her. I take her empty cup and toss it in a can by us as we get closer to the window of the vendor. I toss mine too, so now all I’ve got are her flowers.

She takes them out of my hand and inspects them. “You give her flowers before?”

“There isn’t anything there. Franny has had a crush if that’s what you want to call it. I never outright told her no because I’m no dog. But not saying no led her to believe that one day I might say yes.”

“Being clear is best.”

“Like I am with you?”

“I guess.” She huffs. The walls Cassidy has up aroundher are strong enough to survive an atomic bomb. The woman is tough as nails.

“So, have you fucked her?”

I cough and so does Harrison. Brazen as hell, Cassidy has no shame in what she asks me.

“I know you’re not a dog and all. But this serious revelation thing just happened last week, right? So, you and soap girl do the dirty?” Her firm tone does something to me. She shows interest but keeps her distance. I know I want to shorten it, but there is only one way I can think of to do it.

I pull Cassidy back into my arms so I’m standing behind her. I drop my head low to her ear so no one else can hear.

“No, we haven’t. Do you really just want one night, Cass? Want me to make you scream for hours and your legs feel like jelly? Want to do it long and hard, just to forget it and drive off in the mornin’?” She shivers in my hold, but I know it’s not cold out.

I’m stupid for asking because she will probably say yes. She’s been clear about what she wants. She’s not looking to settle down. The girl won’t even have a second meal with me.

She opens her mouth to answer when we finally make it to the window. I order one large slice of fried apple pie and I can see her glaring at me from the side.

“I won’t eat any, I promise. I’ll only take what you offer.” That earns me another small smile. We wait quietly for our pie, and it comes out quickly.

“Oh God, this looks so good.” She’s practically drooling.

“Like apple pie?”

“Love.”

“My ma makes the best damn pie in this town. Ask anyone around.”

She just nods and looks around. Cassidy looks soyouthful in this very moment. She has flowers in one hand and a slice of pie in the other. She’s not dolled up, she’s not overdone. She is who she is, plain and simple. I like the plain and simple Cass. It’s a breath of fresh air and apparently exactly what I’ve been missing.

I find us a picnic table close to the dance floor, but far enough away that we won’t have to yell to hear each other. A woman was sitting here when we arrived, but she’s gone now.

“When was the last time you slept with a guy?”

I don’t know why I’m asking; it’s just going to piss me off. At the same time, I have this feeling I have to know. Did she meet up with someone this week after I wouldn’t sleep with her?

She takes a bite of her pie and drops her jaw, breathing in and out quickly.

“Ish hot!” she pants. She fans her face with her hands, like it will cool the food in her mouth faster. It only takes a moment before she closes her mouth and chews. She hums in appreciation.

“Damn, that’s good. Whoever thought to deep-fry apple pie is a genius.” She gives me another small smile. It’s obvious she didn’t hear my question or is choosing to ignore it. Neither of those options is what I want. Even if I don’t want to hear the answer, I want one.

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