Page 27 of Embracing Hope

“He seems like a nice guy.” Isaac snorted.

“Hi. I’m Jean.” Hope’s friend interjected.

“I’m Isaac. Nice to meet you.” He touched the brim of his hat.

“Take my seat.” Jean slid off the stool. “I see some friends, so I’m going to pop over and say hello.” She scooted away in a hurry.

Isaac slid upon the stool, realizing Hope had her heated gaze on him. “What?”

“Are you happy with yourself?” she said in a smartass tone.

“Pretty happy,” he said smartly.

She wobbled slightly as she returned to her stool, and he realized the effects of the tequila were starting to course through her bloodstream. “You’re something, you know. You discarded your chance with me and have the balls to crash my conversation like you own me.” And if her raised tone wasn’t enough to draw attention, the way she stabbed her pointed finger in the center of his chest with each word did.

“That’s a left fielder,” he said in a lowered voice.

“You better run back to the table. It appears Billy might be gaining Tessa’s attention.” She rolled her eyes.

“Someone’s had a little too much to drink. Let’s get out of here.”

“Why would I want to do that? I’m just starting to feel good.” She slurped up more of her drink.

“You don’t need more of that.” He sighed as she drained the glass.

“Who are you to tell me what I need? I’m a grown woman. It’s bad enough that Daddy tells me what to do.”

“Maybe he has good reason.”

“That sounds about right. You would see eye-to-eye with Daddy. You both love to control the situation.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Maybe Tessa is more your type.”

“That’s enough,’’ he said dangerously. He grabbed her elbow, just enough pressure that she’d come along.

“I don’t want to be near you.”

He parted the crowd, and thankfully, she didn’t put up a fight.

The cooler air outside smacked him right in the face. Just what he and Hope needed.

“Who do you think you are?” She jerked her arm out of his light grip.

“You’ve asked me that. I’m Isaac.”

“You think you’re clever, don’t you?”

“You’ve made out that you’re my babysitter, but clearly, only one of us needs a sitter.”

“Fuck you! I’m going back inside.” She turned and took a step but he blocked her path.

“You do that and we’ll really cause a scene,” he said firmly.

“Ooh. Someone is a bit cocky. I’m not worried.” She squared her shoulders.

“Maybe not, but imagine the talk of the town tomorrow morning: Hope Rose being carried out of Mav’s on the shoulder of some cowboy.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Try me, sweetheart.” He stared down at her glistening glare. He inhaled her scent, a cocktail of cherry grenadine and cotton candy. If only he could strip away all his doubt and kiss the hell out of her, he'd be a happy man. But how fair would that be for her?

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