Page 34 of Cowboy Friend Zone for Christmas

“Is that a rhetorical question, or are you really asking me?” Her breathing dwindled to short, shallow breaths.

“Wouldn’t want to disappoint everyone in Pinetop, babe.” It sounded like he was smiling. “Including myself.”

“Nash, this would change everything,” she breathed. Are we seriously talking about dating each other?

“I know.”

“Are you sure?” A thousand questions swam through her brain. “We still have like six-and-a-half months left of our friendship pact. We’re supposed to be protecting each other from rushing into the next relationship?—”

“Breathe, Noelle!” He drew a heavy breath. “I wasn’t planning on giving up our friendship. If it makes it any easier, you can think of it as an addendum to our original agreement, one that allows us to be friends who hold hands and kiss.”

“We already hold hands,” she squeaked. Their feelings had been tangled up with each other for a good while now. She’d tried to write it off as okay, since friends were supposed to care for friends. However, her heart told her that what she was feeling for him was more than that.

“I really want to kiss you, Noelle.”

His admission made her heart feel like it was floating.

“I’ve been wanting to kiss you for weeks. No, months. I just didn’t want to do it before you were ready.”

“No sloppy seconds for Nash Carson, huh?” She felt like laughing and crying at the same time.

“I just want to be the only guy you’re kissing when it finally happens, babe.”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” she assured softly. “Since you brought it up, though, you might be interested in knowing that Brady and I finally talked some things out on our way here.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Turns out you were right about the vibes he was giving off for a while there.”

“Is this supposed to make me feel better?” Nash sounded so incensed that her eyes widened.

“He said he was trying really hard to move on from Adeline around the time I started working for him, so he definitely considered the possibilities between us.”

“And?” Nash demanded when she fell silent.

“He said it just wasn’t in God’s plans.” She bit her lower lip. “He’s right, Nash. I couldn’t see it back then, but I do now.”

When he didn’t answer, she added, “Please don’t be angry about this. I think Brady was anxious to clear things up between us for Shelly’s sake. She really needs me right now.”

Nash blew out a breath. “I’m trying not to read anything bad into your last statement.”

“I’m not staying in Pinetop without you,” she assured him quickly. “I’m very happy with my job at Canyon Creek Ranch.” And my relationship with its hunky ranch manager.

“Better.”

“There’s one more thing we need to talk about,” she sighed.

“Uh-oh. Should I be worried?”

“It’s just that I overheard Flint say something about the Castellanos asking you guys to extend another few weeks.” Nash said he didn’t want any more secrets between them, so she was giving him the full story up front. “Shelly’s not due until mid June, but she doesn’t think she’s going to make it that long.”

“I’ll see what I can do, babe.” She could practically hear the wheels turning inside Nash’s head as he carefully considered what she’d said, as well as what she’d left unsaid. “If I can’t negotiate an extension for our show that satisfies all parties involved, I’ll fly you back here when the time comes. I’ll even come with you, if you want.”

“Yes, please.” The fact that he was willing to give her options was good enough for her.

“I really want to kiss you right now.” His voice grew rough. “Not sure how I’m going to make it until lunch.”

Her heart pounded in anticipation, though she wasn’t sure how they were going to squeeze in any kisses without being seen.

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