Page 36 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

“If that’s what you want. But I don’t mind paying you for it.”

Riley’s shoulders stiffen, and he turns away from me. “No.”

There’s a definite shift in our playful energy from a minute ago, and I don’t know why. He flips lids of containers as the silence grows and I replay my words.

Oh.

Stepping closer, I touch his arm and force him to look at me.

“I wasn’t trying to be mean about your past, Rye. That comment was just me wanting to pitch in like a friend would.”

Because you keep putting me in the friend category.

“Sorry. I know what you meant. It’s…it caught me off guard, is all.”

No, it was more than off guard. If he had an invisible shield, it just went up to the heavens, and I hate it. Being bold, I cup his cheek with my palm and he closes his eyes.

“If you give me the chance, Rye, I won’t hurt you.” My voice scratches in my throat, but I have to be sure he knows I’m nothing like the man who broke him. “You’re not a dollar amount or anything less than a beautiful human being who I’d love to know better. I’m not him.”

He swallows and keeps his eyes closed. “You aren’t awkward at all, Jackson. You say all the right things.”

“Because I like you, Riley. I have since the first time I saw you. I’m more comfortable with you than anyone else.” Shrugging a shoulder, I don’t know how else to describe it. “It feels easier with you.”

His slender fingers wrap around my hand, and he pulls it from his cheek. His lips part and moments pass before he releases my hand and turns back to the food.

“How do you feel about eating on the couch and watching Disney shows?”

Okay, message received. Still friends.

“Like it’s the perfect evening.”

Riley breaks out in honest-to-god laughter and he’s gorgeous like this. Comfortable in his space and free to be himself. He passes me a stack of napkins with a beaming smile.

“Jackson, I swear to god you don’t even know how adorable you are.” He nudges me towards the living room while he carries two containers of food. “Your eyes lit up when I said Disney.”

After settling the food between us, Riley turns the television to a streaming service I’ve never heard of and there it is… Lady and the Tramp.

“Oh my god, Riley! It’s even the original version!”

Riley sits with a smug smile. “Of course it’s the original. It’s a classic. Even if bits don’t age well, I still prefer watching the original.”

“I haven’t watched this in…lord, twenty years at least.”

As we pick at the food he bought us, including our favourite hummus, I’m transported in time to the worn sofa in my parents’ living room. How many times did I watch this on weekends when my chores were done?

“I drove my mom nuts with the number of times I watched this as a kid. But I remember when the Tramp came out to defend Lady the first time. With the conviction only a seven-year-old could have, I thought, I want to be like that dog.”

Riley’s sweet laughter fills the room and I smile over at him.

“You wanted to be like a dog?”

“Yeah. He just went for the cocker spaniel, you know? He was tough and not all spoiled like her, but yet he stepped up when needed and fell in love with her. Partly because she was pretty in dog terms, but also, I think, because they complemented each other so well. I wanted to make someone feel like Lady did when she realized how awesome the Tramp was.” Huffing a small laugh at how silly it sounds to speak it out loud, I shake my head. “I wanted to be brave like Tramp and shoot my shot, no matter how out of my league I felt. One day I wanted to do that.”

Riley’s gaze is soft before he turns back to the movie, and I study his profile. His little button nose is the cutest thing. He doesn’t have dimples, but when he smiles, it sort of lights up his entire face. Like he has this inner bulb that glows when he’s happy and brightens all his best features.

But I can’t be like Tramp. Not if Riley doesn’t want it.

“Okay, truth. Do you find the spaghetti scene romantic?”

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