Page 75 of Freeing the Wild
“I’m hoping he doesn’t find out,” I retort.“It was one night.”
Cole watches Cassie as we close in on them, shoveling as we go and scraping a clean edge beside where they’ve already moved the snow.
“Keep looking at Dirk like that and the moment Wade gets here, he’ll know.”
That’s it.Dirk.Dirk the Jerk.
“This side needs to be cleared out a little more,” Cole says, pointing to the area across from where Cassie and Dirk are still talking.Cassie is working hard and Dirk is doing everything he can to keep her attention.I’ve followed Cole, shoveling with a little more vigor, when I hear Dirk ask Cassie how long she’s in town and if she’s ever been to the Horse and Barrel for karaoke night.
Before I can think rationally, I get myself a big, hefty shovel’s worth of fluffy snow and launch it over my shoulder.Wouldn’t you know, it hits Dirk the Jerk right in the chest, and the wet slop from the bottom splatters onto his face.
“Shit,” he mutters, pushing the snow off his coat and chin.
“Fuck!Sorry, bro.I didn’t see you there,” I tell him over my shoulder as I keep moving to catch up with Cole.He’s already almost at the entrance of the first barn.
I turn back and grin at the scene behind me: Dirk still trying to get snow off him and Cassie heading to the house to help Penny bring out the coffee and cookies.
“Nice work,” Cole laughs when I face him.
I shrug like I don’t know what he’s talking about.My phone buzzes in my pocket a few seconds later.
PRINCESS
Subtle.
I didn’t know he was taking a break.I guess it would’ve helped him to actually be a moving target.
PRINCESS
Especially a moving target that isn’t asking me on a date.
He was asking you on a date?
PRINCESS
Yep.But he’s not really my type.
That so?
PRINCESS
Tis.
I need a date who can put up with the fact that I have a tendency to stalk when I get nervous.A real gentleman.
I smirk down at my phone and my chest heats.I can almost see the flirty expression she’ll be wearing right now.
You don’t strike me as the type who wants to be coddled by a gentleman.And I’d never want to let you down, Princess.
PRINCESS
What’s all this talk about going down?
Subtle.
I stop reading the messages as Cole coughs.“So this ‘just one night’ thing …?”
“Yep” is all I offer him, stuffing my phone back in my pocket.
