Page 75 of Country Charm

Wait? What? No, I’m mad about that.

The internal struggle with my feelings only upsets me more and Hunter sitting in front of me is about to take the brunt of it. I’m ready to unleash all my anger when I hear Lynn’s laugh and Georgie’s voice slicing through the air like buckets of cool water.

I take a deep breath and look down at the man who isfiddling with his thumbs. He looks up to my eyes and we lock our gaze.

What am I going to do with this guy?

I’ve never been in this kind of predicament before. If I cuss him out now, the girls will hear, and the night will quickly shift.

“You don’t need to ‘yes ma’am’ me. I just need you to understand that I’m obviously not happy with the situation, but it’s not the time for it. It’s late.” I open my purse, fish out my keys, and hand them over to Hunter.

“Here’s the key to my place. Just go there and get some sleep. It’s better than driving all the way back home.” He takes the keys and stands.

I know the girls are watching so as much as I just want to shove him off and send him on his way, I’ll never hear the end of it.

“Georgie has my spare, so you can leave them on the counter if you like when you leave.”

Hunter runs his strong hand gently down my arm. The same large hand that just sent my coworker flying is now handling me like a delicate piece of glass. His movements are wary and calculated, careful not to overstep. I place my hand over his.

“Can I wait for you to come back?” he asks quietly.

“I don’t know when I’ll be done with the girls, we’re supposed to have brunch.”

“I can wait.” He drops his head to mine and waits there.

“I’m not making any promises.” I pull my head away from his, trying to give myself some space.

“I’m not asking for any.” I see the worry all over his face. This has been more than enough of a show for the girls. It’s time for him to make his exit, and for us to move on to our next bar.

“I better get back to the girls.” I move to step out of his grasp, but his hand tightens a degree.

“Would I be burying myself if I went in for a kiss, Cassidy?” I stiffen at his words.

I think back to the message I just sent him. Did he even get to read it before he came barreling over to us? I don’t want to argue with him, but I also am in no mood to receive a kiss from him.

Standing up on the tips of my toes, I lean in and kiss him on his stubbled cheek. I smell traces of his farm on him. I smell it over the city, over the perfumes and colognes that mix in the club, over the smell of cigarettes from the smokers standing outside. It smells comforting and reassuring.

When I take my step back Hunter is as still as a statue, but quickly shapes himself up to leave. He looks over at the girls and gives them a nod and smiles before turning and walking in what I assume is the direction of his truck.

I’m left standing there by myself, unsure of how to process it all. This isn’t the time to try and figure it out. I have a party to get back to. As I walk back over to the girls, two-thirds of them are grinning ear to ear. Georgie is the exception to this; she has concern written all over her face. She knows it’s not the time, and I know she’ll get her explanation sooner rather than later.

“On to the next bar ladies, the evening entertainment has finally come to a close,” I joke.

I link arms with Mary and start marching in the direction of the next bar only three stops away from our last.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Cassidy

Curled up in a queen-size bed with a cooling mask on my face, I am finally able to take a deep breath. It was a busy day, with non-stop movement, and then there was the additional drama. I’m surprised I got to leave the evening unscathed from receiving one hundred and one questions from the girls.

I appreciated their ability to focus on Mary and make this evening special for her. I appreciated how Hunter immediately backed down and let me get back to my MOH duties. I appreciate being able to lie in this bed alone, while the other girls are sleeping.

Mary has the master in the suite we have rented, Lynn and Georgie are sharing a double room, and I’m in a secondary master.

I counted my appreciations too soon. I hear the door creak open and see an arm peek through with a steaming mug in hand. I don’t say a word, and the door pushes open more and another mug in hand makes an appearance.

“Some lemon balm tea, love?” Georgie asks and she slips into my room.

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