Page 34 of Fairground

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” I say with a polite smile.

She grins. “Likewise. Seems like you’re all Cash ever talks about when I run into him.”

That earns a reaction from Laken, whose eyebrows shoot to heights so high they almost disappear in her hair line.

“Yeah, I’m sure he just lovestalking shit about his very unprepared running mate,” I joke, forcing a laugh.

Regan shakes her head, her smile easy and genuine. “On the contrary. He’s actually quite intimidated by you—not that he’d ever admit that, but I can see how much he admires your background working in politics. And for the record, Cash doesn’t talk shit about anyone.”

“So, he’s really just that happy all the time?” I ask, tilting my head skeptically.

She laughs, a light, melodic sound that matches her easy demeanor perfectly. “Annoying, isn’t it?”

“Very.”

She taps her finger against her chin then pulls out a chair at our table and sits down between us. “Did you know that he’s never had a bad day?”

I lean forward, eager to hear more about Cash and not caring if I seem overly interested anymore. Chalk it up to research for my opponents' weak spots if you will. “That’s not possible.”

She crosses her fingers over her heart. “I swear.”

“Come on... he’s never, I don’t know, failed a class or something?”

“Nope. He won theCheerfulness Awardthree years in a row in elementary school.”

I laugh because I can just picture a little Cash with a smile too big for his face collecting that award.

“Ever got broken up by a girl?”

She snorts.

“What?” I ask.

“He doesn’t date. He’ll take women on dates, of course. Hell, the man loves to take care of a woman.”

I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean exactly, but my brain supplies plenty of images anyway—none of them helpful. Because the way she saystake care of a womansounds less like opening car doors and more like pressing her back into the mattress and making her forget her own name.

And just like that, I’m flushed and flustered, heart stuttering in my chest, because now I can’t stop imagining what that kind of care might feel like at his hands and how much I might like it.

“But he doesn’t date,date. You know?” she continues.

No. I don’t know.

In fact, I’m going to need her to be a lot more specific if I’m going to wipe the fantasies that I’ve been having about him out of my head.

“So, he’s never been in a relationship before?” Laken asks taking a long sip of her frothy beer. “I guess I’ve never seen him with a girlfriend around town so that makes sense.”

Regan nods. “I think he just... hooks up with them.” She does a whole body shiver as if the thought of her older brother having a sex life repulses her. Meanwhile, I want to know more. Need to know more. "But I don't think he's ever expressed a serious interest in anyone. At least, not since I graduated from college and moved back home."

Okay… so clearly not a relationship guy. But that’s not new information.

“And these women? They don’t ever talk shit about him around town? Try to ruin his reputation and make accusations?” I ask, half-expecting her to confirm that even someone as perfect as Cash has a skeleton or two in his closet.

Regan’s brows pinch together like the thought physically pains her. “I don’t think that would be possible. I swear, everyone just loves him. Me included. He’s a great brother but I don't think he hurts the women's feelings, if that's what you're asking. He’s very respectful and always upfront about his intentions.”

“Annoying,” I mutter to myself, then realize I’ve said it out loud. “Oops. That part was supposed to stay in my head.”

She laughs, her smile widening. “But he’s the most loyal guy you’ll ever meet. Really, Troy, Cash, Colt, and Lawson are all like that. It’s kind of my brother’s thing. They’re loyal to the people that they care about. Sometimes to a fault.”

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