Page 12 of Pinch of Love

“Sounds like it,” Cash said with a raised brow.

My gaze shot to his. “Are you always this full of sunshine?”

Cash’s eyes locked on mine, and a scorched intensity shot through his gaze. It looked like he had so much to say but thought better of it before his full mouth turned into a thin line.

And then...

The grumpy man smiled.

Carter cleared his throat. “Usually, the man just grunts in caveman around town, so you’re lucky you got words.”

I snickered and looked up at Cash. His expression didn’t change.

“It’s nice to see you again,” I said, clearing my throat and wiping the tears away from my coughing fit. “And I do have a question for you.”

He stepped closer. “What’s that?”

I pointed to the wall in the family room where a paw print hung among a painting of tulips. “Is that also a pet from years past?”

Cash closed his eyes, and the most beautiful smile threaded through his lips. “Yes. He was my dog named Frankie.”

When he opened his eyes and his gaze found mine, a flutter of excitement rippled through me just as my sister cleared her throat.

“Jackson, Carter, and I’ll go start the grill,” she informed us.

I nodded my head, not tearing my gaze from Cash’s. “Sounds good.”

Cash studied me and took a deep breath. “Sexy and super smart?”

Dang it.

He’d heard.

“And a bit of a grump,” I added.

“I’m not grumpy. I’m just not a ray of sunshine every single second.”

I chuckled. “Tomato. Tomahto. And if anyone should be sulking around this beautiful home, it should be me.”

Cash nodded and sucked on his bottom lip briefly. “Fair enough.”

“You know, you’re even sexier when you smile.”

Cash let out a low rumble of a laugh and shook his head while crossing his arms over his chest. His large biceps curled into a lean mass of flesh. “I’ll keep that in mind, but I wasn’t too concerned with being sexy.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Don’t even give me that. Any guy who has as many muscles as you do obviously cares about his physique. Your hair has the perfect flip at all times.” I tapped my foot. “And you have more confidence than Wisconsin has mosquitos.”

He smirked. “Well, I carry lumber around for my workout.”

“And your hair?”

He grinned, and it about knocked me off my feet. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

My brows rose. “Try me.”

“I don’t know... I might lose a bit of the cool factor.”

“I never said you were cool.” I chuckled. “Just sexy. Want some lemonade?”

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