Page 53 of More Than a Good Friend

“She misunderstood my question.” I face the drunk lady. “I wasn’t asking you out. I was just asking a question.”

“What question was that?” The bartender positions herself between me and the other lady.

“I’ll ask you the same thing. If I asked you out on a date, would you say yes?”

“I’m closing tonight, so I won’t be out of here until close to three.” She trails a finger down my arm. “But yeah. I’d go out with you. When and where?”

“This isn’t helping.” I shove my phone in my pocket, pick up my trash, and hand the bartender my empty glass. “I need to head back to the ranch.”

Both women grab me. “You’re a real cowboy?”

This is definitely not making my heart thumpity-thump. It’s just frustrating me.

“Good night.” I tip my hat.

I toss my trash on the way out and blare country music as I drive home. When I get there, I’m going to find Goldie and sort this out. Maybe she’ll tell me what I did wrong.

Because I really want to do this right.

When I’m back on the ranch, I call Goldie. She doesn’t answer, but a text pops up on my screen.

Goldie:What’s up?

Me:Now you won’t talk to me? Can I come over?

Goldie:I’m out with a friend. Can we talk later?

Me:Sure.

I wander over to the game room, hoping some of the guys are there. Maybe one of them will have helpful advice.

Dallas and Anderson are shooting pool, and Archer is making something out of yarn. I don’t get the whole crochet thing. I mean, the stuff he makes is cool, but it takes so long.

Dallas and Archer wave as I enter, but Anderson is lining up a shot. There’s no way he’ll make it, but I stay quiet and give him a chance. After calling the pocket, he takes his shot, and the red ball sinks into the corner pocket. Just like he said.

I’m wrong about a lot of things today.

“Amazing.” I slow clap, and I’m not even teasing.

He takes a bow. “Pool is what paid for my books in college.”

“I have a question.”

Anderson is pretty new around here, and I don’t know him well. But I like him.

“Let’s see if I have a matching answer.” He chalks his cue while Dallas readies his shot.

“I’m a fairly good-looking guy, right? Would you go out with me?”

Dallas makes contact with the ball as I’m asking, and that striped ball doesn’t land anywhere near the pocket. It doesn’t even land on the table. Archer starts laughing so hard he can’t breathe. And Anderson is staring at me like he doesn’t know what to say.

Fingers laced together, I rest my hands on my head. “That sounded all wrong. I’m asking because of Goldie. I asked her out, and she turned me down.”

And now everyone is quiet.

After a few awkward milliseconds, Anderson pats my shoulder. “Sorry.”

“I need to figure out what I’m doing wrong. When I backed her against the—never mind about that. But I made her heart thumpity-thump. I thought that’s what she wanted.”

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