Page 21 of Some Cowboys Brave the Flames

Finally, she glanced at him. “Would your girlfriend approve?”

He flinched at her question—and she likely noticed.

“She wouldn’t, right? I bet she wouldn’t approve of me teaching you how to cook, either.” She frowned before bringing her drink to her lips. “It’s probably not a good idea.”

“It’s not a problem,” he insisted.

Charlie snorted. “By the way you reacted to my question, I doubt that very much.”

He’d lied far too much as it was. If he told her his girlfriend wouldn’t mind, that would only add to the lies he’d spun. The web had grown too large. But he couldn’t risk telling the truth about his fake relationship. If he did, Liam would pounce. All her brothers would. Too many questions to answer. Too many excuses he’d have to make. So he phrased it differently. “Do you think I’d actually date someone who would be jealous about me teaching another girl how to defend herself?”

“I wouldn’t like it,” she blurted.

He stared at her, wondering if she’d meant to say that out loud.

When she started to fidget, he got his answer. Charlie hadn’t meant to show her cards. A sly smile spread across his face. Maybe she did like him, even if it was only a little bit. Either that, or she was just being honest with him—like a friend might be.

Charlie sent him an embarrassed look before quickly turning away. “Sounds like you’re perfect for each other.” It was a poor attempt at covering up her blunder, but he accepted it.

“Yeah, maybe,” he murmured, still watching her.

She tossed back the remainder of her drink and placed the mug on the wooden porch between them. Then she leaned forward, resting her forearms on her knees. She stared straight ahead, thoughtfully. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.”

He smiled but didn’t risk speaking in case she took it back.

“Your girlfriend is pretty lucky,” she mumbled almost wistfully.

“How do you figure?” he whispered, surprised at the turn of their conversation.

She swallowed audibly. “Not many guys would take on cooking lessons to impress a girl. I mean, I guess sometimes a guy might learn how to dance—but that’s usually for a wedding. And yet here you are, trying to learn a new skill so you can do something romantic for her.” She turned, looking up at the stars. “She’s lucky to have you.”

He was tempted to brush off the compliment, but he knew better. Couldn’t draw attention to himself.

“And the cherry on top?” She let out a mirthless laugh. “You’re trying to convince me to take some self-defense lessons.” A shake of her head was all she seemed capable of mustering.

“How’s that the cherry on top?” he asked with genuine curiosity.

“I’m just your friend’s kid sister. I’m nothing. I’m a nobody. You don’t owe me any?—”

Ash couldn’t take it any longer. This self-deprecating habit she occasionally let come through. He reached out and took her hand in his, forcing her to sit up a little straighter. He placed her hand between both of his, rather than holding it with any degree of romance. “I want to set something straight. Right here, right now.”

She stared at where he held her hand as if he were a bear trap and she wasn’t going to be able to escape.

He tugged on her hand gently, drawing her focus to his face. “You are perfect the way you are. I meant it when I said it then.” He swallowed hard. “And I mean it now.”

She blinked, her eyes brimming with emotion.

“Any guy would be lucky to have you, Charlie. Any one of them.” Ash made sure his words sunk in—deep to her core. She needed to know that she had value. She needed to know thatwhoever she chose to spend her life with—they were the lucky ones. Then he whispered, “I only wish it was me.”

It was slight, barely perceptible, but her eyes widened. Her lips parted and she exhaled a shaky breath.

Ash didn’t know what to do. While he remained calm on the outside, on the inside, he was scrambling. He might have blown his entire cover. If she asked him about his fake girlfriend in this moment, he might have actually told her the truth. If she demanded for him to explain what he meant about wanting to be that lucky man, he wouldn’t be able to hold back.

He jumped to his feet, nearly knocking the mugs from their places. “Goodnight, Charlie.” With that, he hurried down the steps and all but sprinted to his truck. He was quickly losing his grip on his self-control. The next time he saw her, he might have to apologize for what he’d said. He might have to explain himself and his actions.

Goodness!

Why couldn’t he have just stayed away?

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