Page 21 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

“It’s Jackson. So you said yes, but only as a friend?”

There’s a long pause and I fear maybe I’ve offended him. But he finally responds.

“You got the email then. Is that okay?”

I want to scream no, but…this man is different. We connected that day in the park, and I want an actual date, not a friendly one. He didn’t laugh at my random food facts, so that’s saying something. Perhaps I need to be more patient.

“No. I guess not. It’s disappointing, but I’ll work with it.”

“Good. Did you have any other questions for me?”

I like his voice in my ear and I want to keep him on the phone longer. This indescribable want to just learn about him gnaws at me from the inside. Does he have siblings? Did he go to college? When’s his birthday?

“Did you know starfish don’t have brains?”

And there it is. Glad to know I still can’t be normal with phone conversations. Why didn’t I ask him his favourite colour instead?

“Uh…no. I didn’t know that.”

“It’s true. They’re not even fish.”

“Jackson… I meant, did you have any other questions about Saturday?”

Of course he did. Ugh.

“Yes. Are you a morning person?”

“Sometimes.”

“You need to send me your address so I can pick you up on Saturday at 7 A.M. We have a two-hour drive, and I want to be there as early as possible.”

“I’d prefer if I drove to your house, and we left from there together.”

Damn. He’s just blocking me from all sides. This might be harder than I thought.

“Okay, that makes sense. Can I text this number if something comes up?”

“Of course. This is my cell, and it’s always with me. Text me your address and I’ll be there at 7 on Saturday morning.”

“I’ll do that. And Riley?”

“Yes?”

“I can’t wait to see you.”

There’s another pause, and I swear I hear the smile in his voice when he responds.

“Thank you, Jackson. Me too.”

After ending the call, I lean on the porch rail to stare off at the now mostly empty fields on Hunter’s ranch.

“Starfish aren’t the only things without brains.”

Hunter leans in the doorway behind me with a teasing grin on his lips.

“You heard that? It’s not nice to eavesdrop, you know.”

“I know. But it’s my front porch, and I didn’t want to interrupt the call you abandoned your lunch for.” He steps forward and punches me in the shoulder. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Jack.”

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