Page 65 of Wild As Her

"Not helping things here, Jack..." I mutter.

Juliette’s nostrils flare slightly. “I mean, you don’t seemlikethe ranching type. You’re...the coffee girl.”

I arch a brow. “Thanks, Juliette, I’m usually covered in horse hair and dirt, but now and then, I like to get cleaned up.”

“Eww, horse's hair falls off? Like cat hair?? I might have an allergy,” she complains to Jenna.

Listen, I'm a girl's girl. I don't engage in tearing down other women, so this is by far not what I was expecting.

Jack lets out a laugh, and I see the precise moment Juliette’s jaw clenches.

Jenna, sensing the tension, claps her hands together. “Alright, first challenge! You’re all going to learn how to saddle a horse. Jack and Cami will demonstrate.”

I step up beside Jack, tightening a cinch on one of the horses. “Wanna lead the way, or should I?”

Jack barely hid his amusement. “Oh, I’ve got this.”

Jenna says something to Savannah, and I watch Savannah morph into a whole new character which is fascinating. When she walks by me, she says quietly for only me to hear, “All for the show, Cami. Don’t worry.”

Wait, what? Are they like paid actors?

She batted her lashes. Jack, to his credit, at least looked over at me first, clearly waiting to see my reaction.

“Oh, don’t look at me,” I said dryly. “I’m just yourassistant.You’re the big, strong cowboy.”

The crowd of townsfolk chuckle.

I stepped over, adjusting the saddle in two quick movements, and pat the horse’s neck. “There you go. All set.”

Juliette scowls. “I could’ve done that.”

I flash her an encouraging smile. “Of course.”

Next challenge: lassoing.

Juliette tosses the rope three feet in front of her and groans. “Jack, this ishard.Maybe you could stand behind me and, like, guide me?”

Jack scratches the back of his neck, clearly torn between playing along for the sake of the show and not running for his truck. “Uh?—”

“No worries, Juliette,” I cut in. “I can show you.”

Her face falls in disappointment as I step up, grabbed the lasso, and nailed the target on my first try.

The crowd cheers.

Jack, looking way too pleased, turned to her. “See? Now you try.”

She scowls and tosses the rope again, missing by a mile.

Old Man Wallace laughs. “This is better than the rodeo.”

Ruby who had been suspiciously quiet until now, went for a different approach. She leans into Jack, placing a delicate hand on his arm. “So, Jack,” she practically purrs. “What kind of womandoyou see yourself with?”

And just like that, the entire place goes dead silent.

My stomach does something completely stupid, and I hate myself for it.

Jack looks down at Ruby, then turns to look at me. His expression is unreadable, but his eyes linger just long enough that I know everyone caught it.

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