Page 15 of A Cowboy's Twinkling Lights Lasso
“One minute, and those doors open to a stampede of photo-goers!” The mayor zips away from us with an unexpected burst of energy. “Theo, get back to your station!”
“Quick thing, Thorn.” Theo skids to a stop beside us, and I catch my sister giving his shirtless torso a once over—although she’d never admit it. “All the guys are doing a friendly competition to see who can deliver the cheesiest pickup line to the ladies. Every cowboy pitched in a hundred bucks, so if you’re on board, the jackpot is twelve hundred dollars.”
“Count me in.” A smirk tugs the corner of his mouth, reminding me of all the times he had a crazy idea I disapproved of, but I couldn’t say no to it.
“Excellent.” Theo turns to my sister. “Dani, is your booty a stocking? Because I’d really like to fill it.”
“You’re disgusting.” My sister maintains a straight expression. “I just want to punch you in the face and make the words stop.”
“Clearly not my audience.” Theo shrugs.
“That line is nobody’s audience.” She grimaces at him. “Good luck. You’re gonna need it.”
“Open the doors!” Mayor Thomas’ ragged breaths echo through the megaphone. “Theo, get to your station! Someone get control over the damn Slater boys! They’re late, stealing props, and can’t stay in their designated area. They are as wild as they were as teenagers!”
“Gotta go.” Theo takes off, leaving the three of us chuckling.
The laughter quickly turns to an awkward silence interrupted by a chorus of squeals in the air as the women surge inside.
“Aren’t you going to give Thorn a quick rundown?” My sister has to raise her voice above the commotion at the head sign-in tables. “Tell him where to stand, how to stand. Maybe you gotta pose him a bit.” She picks up the swag bag she left on her seat before sitting.
“Yes, I do.” I force myself to look him in the eyes. “And you’re late, so we’ll have to make it fast.”
“I have all day.” He acts casual, but I can tell he doesn’t want to be here—specifically, be with me.
The feeling is mutual. At least, the sane part of my brain doesn’t want to be anywhere near Thorn. The part that knows better and endured the ache of his betrayal for years. Too bad that part didn’t pair up with the rest of me—the areas that cravehim. But we were young in those days, just kids. How can I stay mad at him when I didn’t even know who I was back then?
“I’d like to be clear as a blue sky about my motives.” Thorn lays on his thick southern drawl.
The irritating parts of the woman in me yearn for him to sweep me into a closet and have his way with me. After a sleepless night of replaying him falling on top of me, I’m exhausted and horny. I can’t even imagine what the older version of Thorn Slater would be like in bed.
I manage a nod.
“When I saw you in that elevator, it ignited old feelings in me, and I got lost in the nostalgia of our youth.” His expression remains stoic. “We were still innocent back then and didn’t grasp the complexities of life. I let yesterday’s feelings sweep me away, but I won’t let that happen twice. We’re here for a good cause. Let’s commit to professionalism throughout the event for the animals.”
Those are the words I want to hear. Then why do I feel so disappointed?
“Absolutely. For the animals.” Our shared stare is charged with tension. An awkward silence follows.
Is it always going to be awkward with him? Is it a permanent fixture for us?
I snap my fingers at Dani, needing distance between Thorn and me. “Come model as one of the ladies. Quick now,” I add when she doesn’t move.
Her boots clunk on the floor emphasizing her displeasure as she drags them across the carpet.
“I’m thinking we offer each lady a pose of their choice. The first pose is a basic photo of you two standing together by the tree. Right here.”
I wait for Thorn to strut over to the tree. He takes his sweet time like we’re not on a deadline and the women aren’t beginning to branch away from the head table.
His boots scrape the floor.
His saunter demands attention.
“I’ll try your right side first, so you stand close to the tree. Maybe twist your upper torso sideways so Dani can tuck against you.”
“Gross.” Dani keeps her distance.
Thorn complies, but the angle is still off.
