Page 103 of Fire and Icing

“Sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“It’s okay. I’m just playing around.”

“Didn’t sound like it.”

“I compose music when my head’s too full.”

“I get that. I take my horse out for a good long ride. Does the same thing, I’d imagine. You’re not bad.”

“Thanks.”

“What’s the song about?” he asks, taking a seat in the chair across from me.

“It’s about Emberleigh. I’m … Well …” I hesitate. Once I say this, I can’t take it back. But I need someone to know. I trust Cody. And I need to bounce my mixed-up thoughts off a trusted friend. If it’s going to be anyone, it’s going to be him or my brother, Stevens.

“Can I tell you something?” I ask, throwing caution to the wind.

“Sure.”

“But you can’t tell anyone else.”

“Okay.”

“Emberleigh and I aren’t dating.”

“Man, that went fast.”

“No. I mean we never were dating. She needed someone for her contest, so I volunteered as tribute.”

“Tribute? Like an act?”

“Yeah. The contest required her to have a partner who couldn’t bake. I can’t. So I offered to be her partner so she could enter. She needs to win.”

“Ahhh. Man. That’s crazy. You had me fooled.” Cody squints slightly, then he says, “But you like her.”

I nod. “Yeah. I do. She’s amazing.”

“She is. I’ve known her my whole life. She’s got a heart of gold.”

“I don’t think she sees me as anything more than a friend. Well, maybe she does. It doesn’t matter because she has no intention of dating anyone.”

“Yeah. She’s got her reasons for that. She’s been let down before by someone who should have done better. Ever since that, she hasn’t let anyone get too close—not any men, anyway.” Cody’s quiet for a beat and then he says, “Give her time.”

“I’ve got time.”

Everything in me screams to go tell Emberleigh how I feel about her. But I know Cody’s right. She’s got walls up for her own reasons. I need to give her time. When she’s ready, I’ll be here waiting.

Chapter 23

Dustin

I don’t want to hide.

I want to slow dance with you again.

I want to dance with you forever.

— Sarah Black

---