Page 17 of Always You

“Perfect.” She blows me a kiss while I roll my eyes in response. “Go have fun, Charlie.”

“I hate you,” I call out to her back, throwing my foot over the log and next to my other foot when she walks away.

“Yeah, whatever. Call me if you need a ride home.” She smirks, turning around, walking backwards. “That is, unless fighter boy already got the honors.”

She’s bold, way bolder than I am, and her confidence is something I love about her.

But right now, it's just an inconvenience. She continues as she nods her head in his direction. I follow her gaze, seeing Hunter untangle himself from the bimbo on his side, making clear strides my way.

Oh, boy.

5

Iplace myself next to her on the log with amusement, registering the rough texture of the wood before bumping my shoulder against hers. She stifles her smile by biting her lip, her gorgeous eyes sparkling at me like the stars in a clear sky.

“Your friend ditched you?”

“I look that desperate, huh?” She grins, running a hand through her dark blonde wavy hair, making me want to do the same. Instead, I keep both my hands wrapped around my red cup, then take a drink of the lukewarm Coke.

“Nah, but I think you’d rather be at home reading.”

“Or sitting by my tree at the creek,” she murmurs, boldly plucking the cup out of my hand and taking a drink. I turn my head toward her in amusement, watching how she takes a big gulp before I realize what she’s saying.

“No beer?” Her eyebrows lift, seemingly pleasantly surprised.

“Nah, the world is hard enough sober. Don’t need to fuck with my head anymore.”

She examines my face, her green eyes fearless as fuck even though she seemed nervous ten seconds ago. It seems like there are a lot of thoughts going through her head, and I expect her to pry again, but instead, she takes another sip of the cup.

“Wait,” I say, steering the conversation back again. “Please tell me you don’t go there at night by yourself?”

“I would take my dog if I had one. But I don’t have one because my mama won’t let me.”

“You want a dog?”

She nods with a beaming smile that hypnotizes me, and I slightly shake my head to stay focused. “Oh, yeah! A Leonberger or a St. Bernard, you know? Those big fluffy ones?”

“You basically want your own bear?” I tilt a teasing eyebrow.

“Yeah! They are very protective of their owners. I’d love to have one of those fluff balls one day. It would be like having my own bodyguard.”

I laugh, enjoying her enthusiasm. “You’re serious.”

“Dead.”

“I can be your bodyguard.”

Her narrow eyes find mine. “Pretty sure you’re a busy guy.”

“I’d make time for you.”

“Are you flirting with me?” The surprise in her tone has me chuckling.

“Maybe?”

A ghost of a smile trails her plush lips before she bumps her shoulder against mine. “I’m sticking with the dog.”

I laugh. “Well, until you have one, don’t go there by yourself in the middle of the night.”

---