Page 20 of Small Town Firsts

"She raised me."

"Mind if I ask why?"

"No, not at all. Mama felt tied down and didn't want to give up her fast and easy lifestyle to take care of me. When I was seven, she loaded me up, dropped me off, and never looked back."

"Damn darlin', I'm sor?—"

I hold up a finger to silence him. "Nothin' to be sorry about, Cash. My Grams loved me enough that mama's exit from my life is barely a blip on my radar. I'm not sorry about it, and you shouldn’t be either."

"Ten-four." He refills his glass, and we both soak in the slightly awkward silence. I think we’re both waiting for the other to speak, and finally, he does. "So, whatcha got going on this weekend?"

"Oh! The Strawberry Festival. Have you ever been?"

"Nope. Tell me about it?"

"Well, it's mostly arts and crafts, but they have the most amazing strawberry shortcake. I go every year just for that little slice of heaven."

He thinks on my words for a few, and then he asks me where the festival is, and I tell him. "Great," he says, his smile a mile wide. "I'll meet you there around eleven?"

"You'll what?"

"You heard me, darlin'. See you Saturday." That quickly, his glass is in the sink and he's out the door.

What on earth just happened?

CHAPTER 13

CASH

I makegood on my word and show up at the municipal park at a quarter till. I figure it's a nice enough day that I can chill out in the shade while I wait for Myla Rose. Not even five minutes later, I see her Land Cruiser parked a few feet away from my truck. If I'm being honest, I'm pretty damn thankful she doesn't make me wait long. A part of me was a little scared she wouldn't show.

"Hello there, darlin'," I drawl as I open her car door.

"Oh!" She exclaims, clutching her chest. "H–hey there, Cash. Wasn't sure if I'd see you today or not."

"Told you I'd be here." Our steps fall into sync, my fingertips occasionally brushing her arm as she steers us through the crowd toward the festival entrance. "So, what do we do first?"

"I usually walk the loop and look at the booths." She ducks her head.

"Sounds like a plan."

"For real? You don't mind looking at all of this?" she asks, gesturing over to the walking path lined with tent after tent.

"Why would I?" My head pulls back in confusion.

"Taylor never . . . you know what? Doesn't matter. Let's go.” She picks up her pace and sets off again for the entrance.

I swear, the more I hear about Taylor, the more I dislike the guy. Seems like he constantly made her feel like shit long before he decided to end things with her.

"Cash, you coming?" Myla Rose calls from a few feet ahead of me.Huh. Didn't even notice I'd stopped walking. Guess I got too caught up thinking about her asshole ex.

"Yes, ma'am," I call back, though I make no effort to move. I'm too busy admiring her toned, pale legs. Girl's got a thing for short shorts . . . but you won't hear me complaining. I drag my eyes upward, pausing at her midsection. She's barely showing, but it's there. A slight swell, and goddamn if I don't think she's even hotter for it. I finish my perusal with a quick stop at her breasts—small and perky, a perfect handful—before landing on her face. Her eyes are narrowed to slits, and her full lips are pursed.Busted.

I hustle over to her and grab her hand without thinking twice about it. "Come on, Myla Rose. Lots to see." She glances down at her hand in mine, gasping lightly, but I pay no mind to her. I just tug her along until we fall into step together.

We've made it about halfway around the tent-lined path, and between listening to Myla Rose tell me about the different vendors and the feeling of her hand in mine, her smooth to my rough, I'm having a damn good time.

"You said you used to come with your Grams every year?" I know I'm prying, but I can't help it. This girl has me wanting to know herin every way.

---