Page 6 of Still A Cowboy
“It’s a ‘please stop talking’ before I lose the last ounce of patience I have left.”
Fia grinned, completely unfazed. “Come on. You choked on a beer nut, Mr. Hot cowboy soulmate walked in wearing boots, a Stetson and sporting that fine ass. That’s literally the legend unfolding in real time. This is the small-town romance dream.”
“It’s a ridiculous legend,” Willa muttered, walking into the adjoining kitchen for more coffee. “Besides, he’s here for someone else.”
“Wait, what? For who?” Fia demanded.
Willa hesitated. And hesitated some more. And since her sister would no doubt—no doubt—soon hear all about it, she went ahead and spilled. “His old flame. Eden Preston.”
That took some serious juice out of Fia’s perkiness. “Ouch. That’s not in the legend.”
“Exactly,” Willa muttered.
Fia’s forehead bunched up as she considered that. And dismissed it. “Doesn’t matter. He’s in the apartment across from you. That’s prime matchmaking territory. I’ve heard that story before.”
“Try hearing a new one. He’s off-limits,” Willa reminded her. Reminded herself, too.
“Fine, but I’m still meeting him,” Fia insisted. “For science. For research. For a look at his ass.”
Willa was coming back from her trip to the coffee pot when someone cleared their throat. She turned, and there he was. Cal Bennett, standing in her doorway. Right there. Right in front of her, and the cowboy certainly had a way of grabbing her attention.
His dark brown hair damp from the shower, one hand braced on the frame. His gaze flicked between her and Fia.
“Sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear.” He paused, a trace of curiosity in his voice. “Science? Research? Ass assessment?”
Willa sighed and set her mug down harder than necessary.
Fia popped up from the couch as if she had been waiting her whole life for this moment. She gave him a slow, deliberate once-over and smiled, apparently very satisfied with what she saw.
“So you’re the soulmate.” Fia crossed her arms, still grinning. “Nice.”
Willa rolled her eyes. “Please don’t encourage this.”
Fia ignored her and went over to thrust her hand out to Cal. “I’m Willa’s sister, Fia.”
“Cal,” he said, shaking her hand.
Fia gestured toward the kitchen. “You want some coffee? Come in.”
Cal hesitated, his brow raised, his intense blue eyes narrowed. “Science?” he repeated. “Research? Ass assessment?”
Fia laughed as if it was obvious. “Oh, that. I told Willa I needed to meet you. You know, firsthand observation. I believe in collecting my own data so I can have an informed opinion.”
Cal’s mouth tugged into something that might have been a smile, or maybe he was still too polite to say no.
“Right. Science.” He stepped inside slowly, careful with his knee. “Sounds official.”
“It is.” Fia winked. “I’m extremely thorough. Wouldn’t want just anyone soul mating my only sister.”
Willa groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Why me?” she muttered to the ceiling.
“Because you drank the beer,” Fia muttered, already grabbing a mug for him.
Cal’s gaze slid to Willa, quiet amusement still flickering in his eyes. “Do not drink the coffee,” she warned him. “You drink the coffee, we will never hear the end of this matchmaking.”
“Noted.” He looked as if he was still deciding whether to laugh or run.
Too bad. It was far too late for either since Fiawas getting ready to pour him a cup.
