Page 30 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

“Are you sure you don’t want to join us?”

Shaking my head with a laugh, I clap Jamieson on the shoulder.

“I’m not feeling the bar scene tonight. You guys go have fun.”

“I get it. You’re sneaking in a secret hottie.” He mimes zipping his lips.

“Not quite, but let’s go with that.”

Jamieson cocks his head. “So you are keeping a secret? I promise I won’t tell.”

“Get out of here. Have a shot for me.” Before he turns away, I touch his elbow and lower my voice. “You and Griff are okay, right?”

“Yeah. We’re good.” He hesitates like he wants to say more, but simply says, “Thanks.”

Jamieson joins the group, and they meet the taxi at the park entrance for the trip into town. After getting a blanket from the camper and checking on the horses, I settle by the campfire and add another log.

Sadly, there’s no secret hottie. There’s a hottie, but if he was mine, I’d be showing him off every chance I get. But Hunter’s words about being careful with a man who seems to have issues with cowboys sticks. As much as I wish Riley was more than just a friend, I have to wonder if he’ll ever get past the cowboy part. It’s not something I can change about myself.

That doesn’t stop me from hitting video call on Riley’s contact number though.

He answers on the second ring, but not with his face.

“Uh, Riley?”

“Hi, Jackson. I’m here. I just, it’s a spa night and I have a mask on my face.”

Spa night?

“Oh. I don’t mind. Can I see your pretty eyes at least?”

With Riley, it’s so easy for me to say stuff like that and before I can apologize for being so forward, he responds.

“Are you playing me?” I smile at the tease in his voice. “That’s not what someone shy and awkward would say to their friend.”

“Well, I’m not shy with you. Just awkward sometimes. But it’s the truth. I like your eyes. Friends can compliment one another.”

His phone moves and my screen goes dark. Like he covered it with something and I laugh. “If you won’t let me see you, you’ll at least talk to me, right?”

“Of course I will. But you can see me if you promise not to laugh.”

“I’d never laugh at you.”

The darkness moves away and the phone moves again. This time, Riley shows his face. But I don’t laugh. Instead, my heart turns to mush.

“Oh my god, Riley. When you said a mask, I thought you meant, like, a mud mask or something. Are you a…polar bear?”

A sheet is stuck to his face, and it’s all white. There’s a black animal snout over his nose and eyeholes to show me his pretty blue eyes. A tiny pair of bear's ears sit on the mask at his forehead. It’s the most fantastic and cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

“Yeah. It’s a moisturizer, and it has an animal face. I bought a few on sale and they’re not bad.”

“It’s fucking adorable.”

Riley’s small huff of a laugh sets me at ease.

“Thanks. So, um, how did your weekend go?”

“Amazing. I won again. I’m posting the best times of my life, which is great for overall points at the end of the season.”

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