Page 54 of Fairground

“I don’tknowhim,” I argue back, though my voice sounds weak, even to me.

She tilts her head. “Tell me everything you know about him.”

I groan, but the words spill out anyway. “He’s the middle child in the Marshall family. He’s supportive, loyal, loves this town more than anything, loves his chickens, loves his dad, loves helping his family with their businesses and anything else they need, loves pie.” I stop to catch my breath and run my fingers through my hair. “God, that’s a lot of loves in one sentence.”

She grins knowingly. “He loves a lot of stuff, doesn’t he?”

I nod miserably. “Yeah, he just… loves life. Like he’s high on it all the time, and I’m just… not.”

“Seems like you know him pretty well actually.”

“There’s gotta be more to him, though. Like he has to have a dark streak. An evil side. Some skeletons in his closet,” I mutter, though even I’m not sure if I believe he could.

She shrugs. “Not really. He’s a happy guy. He lives at home with his dad and sister still, doesn’t date seriously, but he doeslovewomen.”

I groan, dropping my head into my hands. “Why does everyone keep bringing that part up? That seems like the only downside to him.”

She smirks. “There’s nothing wrong with it. He’s single. Also, don’t you want to be with a guy who loves women? It’s the ones who hate women and pretend that they don’t that you have to watch out for. Those guys are scary. He’s probably an incredible fuck. Not like Colt of course, but you get my drift. Bet he could break a bed frame.”

“Oh, I know,” I say, my voice dry thinking about Cash fucking me while he snaps my bed frame in half with his strong thrusts. “Painfully.”

She leans forward, her grin turning wicked. “So just… fuck him. Get it out of your system. If you’re like any other woman to Cash, once he fucks you, the game’s over, and he’ll move on with his life. Y’all will go back to being rivals and the best person for the mayor position will win.”

I sit up, my stomach twisting. “Is that why he didn’t kiss me again? Because it’s just a game?”

She shakes her head, her expression thoughtful. “No. That makes me think he has a plan.”

“A plan?”

“Yeah, like… he’s playing the long game with you.”

“Oh no. What does that mean? What’s with these small town men and their games?”

Her smirk deepens. “It means he might actuallylike you.”

“What if I don’t want him to like me?” I panic, my words tumbling out too fast though I’m not sure I believe them.

She shrugs, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Then get him to fuck you. If he’s like he usually is, he’ll get bored and move on. Or…” Her voice trails off, her gaze shifting to the doorway behind me like she sees someone she recognizes.

“Or what?” I demand, my panic escalating because I need Molly to finish that thought or I’m going to spiral. I'm not going to be able to stop thinking about it. Tonight, I'll lay in my head, replaying this conversation repeatedly until my eyes dry out from staring at the ceiling fan and then I’ll wake up tomorrow with an anxiety hangover.

She doesn’t answer, just smiles wider. “Or that’ll make him work even harder to keep you because he thinks you’rethe one.” Her brows raise as she nods with her head to whoever just walked in the center.

Confused, I whip around, and that’s when all the breath leaves my lungs like I’ve been kicked in the chest. Cash freaking Marshall is standing in the doorway of the center looking like every girl’s bad decision she makes right before she falls in love.

Black jeans, no rips, and a black T-shirt that clings to his chest just right. He’s dressed more like Colt today, darker and mysterious. And while I miss the light-washed, ripped-jeans, always-smiling version of him, damn if he doesn’t look good with this edge.

“I’ve gotta get out of here,” I hiss, grabbing my purse and pushing back from the table erratically.

Molly’s smile doesn’t falter. “I’ll cover for you.”

“What are you going to say?”

“What do you want me to say?”

I shake my head frantically. “That I can’t look at him and not think about his dick.”

She tosses her head back and laughs. “Damn, that sounds like me with Colt. The Marshalls just ooze sex appeal. You’re in trouble. Don’t worry, I’ll think of something.”

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