Page 54 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

Swallowing, I stare down at the pile of fries and Jackson’s hand, palm up, slides across the table. Closing my eyes, I slide my hand in his.

“I was hoping to surprise you at the bar. I had this big thing planned where I’d find you and probably say something cheesy just to see your face light up when you saw me.”

“Well, you definitely surprised me.” Jackson rubs at his bruising face with his free hand. “Not in the best way, but I’m so glad I found you. If he had hurt you, I’d have never forgiven myself.”

Jackson’s genuine concern for my safety makes my chest tighten, so I do what I came here to do. Letting go of his hand, I walk around to his side of the booth and slide in next to him.

His gaze tracks every single movement and once I’m next to him, I angle towards him.

“Jackson, I came here to watch you and by doing so, I learned a lot about you. But I also came here to tell you I saved your note and read it obsessively.” He’d taken care of me in more ways than I thought he would. Then I woke up to find his note on a paper towel next to the cooled cake he’d made when I asked for his help.

‘Whatever you need. Call me. Anytime.’

“This is me telling you instead of calling you. I need you in my life and I’d like to try being more than friends.”

Jackson’s sharp inhale is loud in the quiet restaurant. He turns his face away as his throat bobs and I place my hand on his thigh to get his attention.

“Jackson?”

“Octopuses have three hearts,” he blurts, before pressing his lips together with a sigh. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I love your facts.”

“My heart is big enough to love you like an octopus. Not that I’m telling you I love you. I mean, one day, I will. But not like this. Something romantic with less talk of octopuses.”

“I bet octopuses are very romantic, having three hearts and all.”

Jackson huffs a laugh. “That’s what I like about you. You just take all my facts in stride. I don’t even know where I get them from.”

“Can we get out of here?”

“That’s a great idea.”

After flagging down our waitress, Jackson pays our tab with a stern look my way to not argue. So I give him that victory. He wantsto take care of me, and I understand because I want to do the same for him.

We exit the diner and he reaches for my hand like it’s the most natural thing to do. I take it as we walk back towards my hotel.

“Did you drive here?”

“Yeah. My hotel is a few blocks away.”

“Can you drive us somewhere if I give you directions? I want to show you something.”

Since he was familiar with the area, it was easier if I let Jackson drive my car. After a thirty-minute drive outside the town limits, he brings us down a small unlit road that opens to marshland.

As soon as he kills the engine, he holds up a finger. “Listen. Tell me if you hear it.”

I strain to pick up what he can hear and shake my head.

“I’m sorry. I can’t.”

“Then we get out.”

I follow his lead and step out. He leans on the hood of my car with his hands behind him and the most adorable smile on his face. Then I hear it.

“Bullfrogs?”

“Yes! Isn’t it cool? This is a protected marshland, and in the daylight, you can walk all the floating boardwalks. Turtles, frogsof all kinds, fish, muskrats…so much wildlife in a small spot. But I love to listen to the bullfrogs.”

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