Page 37 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy

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“Twenty-five,” she corrects.

I know her twenty-sixth birthday is this month, but it looks like someone is not so eager to let go of twenty-five just yet.

I kiss my teeth, holding in a smirk. “My apologies—twenty-five it is. You might not be broke, but you are bored. Or can’t Miss Diva spare a few hours out of her precious day to teach a few chords to kids?”

“You’re insufferable. You know that’s not what I meant,” she scolds.

“What did you mean then?”

“Why are you doing this to me?” she groans.

“Doing what? I’ve only asked you a question.”

“C’mon, Ava, it’ll be fun, I promise,” Ella insists.

She ignores me and turns to her best friend. “Even if I were to agree, you know how Wrangler Creek parents are—they might not agree to some stranger teaching their kids.”

“You’re not a stranger. You grew up here, but that can be handled easily. Daddy?” Ella asks, turning to our father.

He doesn’t hesitate, retrieving his phone to make a few calls. “On it.”

“You guys?!” Ava groans.

“What’s your other excuse?” Ella teases, knowing we’ve won.

Ava slumps back in her seat. “You’re not leaving me much of a choice.”

Ella’s eyes widen in happiness. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes.”

“You hear that, Daisy? She’s said yes!” Ella cheers.

Daisy gets off her seat and walks toward Ava to give her a hug. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Ava responds.

Daisy sits back down with a smile, back to fully enjoying her food now that her dilemma has been solved.

“You should have caved faster, saved us all the groveling,” I say to Ava.

She turns to me with a glare. “That’s not what I wanted.”

“Didn’t seem like it.”

“I hate you.”

I tilt my head to the side, staring her down. “Right back at you, Miss Diva.”

She grumbles something under her breath and looks away. She’s so cute.

“Do they actually hate each other?” I hear Daisy whisper to Jace.

“No, sweetheart, it’s all an act to cover their real feelings,” Jace answers.

I don’t care if he’s right or wrong—all I know is that I’m glad I decided to come here tonight. I should make this a constant thing.

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