Page 46 of More Than a Pretty Face

Resting my weight on the porch post, I cross my arms.“She didn’t remember, but I’m not sure it matters.I like her, so I asked her out.Besides, with as much as I’ve been flirting, hanging around and not asking her out would make me seem like a jerk.I don’t want her to think that.”

“True.But maybe one day you’ll find a way to tell her.”

“I doubt it.There isn’t a nice way to ask if she remembers the night she was wasted at a party.And she kept my shirt.She might have the wrong idea about what happened.”

“You said she might’ve had her drink spiked.You could bring it up that way.”

“Right.Because ‘Have you ever had someone drug you at a party?’is a much better opening to a conversation.Then she’ll really get the wrong idea about me.”

“I just hope that keeping quiet about it doesn’t come back to bite you later.”

I’ve worried about that myself, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.“Hope not.But if you could keep a lid on what I told you, I’d appreciate it.”

“No problem.”He nods toward the house.“Want something to drink?”

Kent isn’t typically one to sit around and chat, and the conversation we just had was on the long side for him.Maybe he has something he wants to discuss.

“Sure.Anything is fine.”I drop onto the top step as he goes inside.

Two minutes later, he hands me a juice box.“I’m low on options.I hope that’s okay.”

“This is great.”I tear the plastic off the straw, then poke it into the top.Three stabs later, I finally succeed.

Kent leans on the rail.“Mason had fun tonight.”

“He’s a great kid.”

“I’m just praying I don’t mess things up.Weeks ago, I didn’t know I had a son.I feel wholly unprepared for this.”

“From what I can see, you’re doing a good job.”I don’t offer the comment lightly.Mason watches everything his dad does and imitates a lot of that behavior.Kent is a good one to model after.

He shrugs off the compliment.“I appreciate that you take the time to answer his questions.He wakes up with a new list every morning.I run out of answers.”After poking his head inside a second, he walks back to the rail.“But he’s doing better than I expected.A few nights have been rough.I think life on the ranch is one big distraction.”

“There are worse places for a kid to grow up.”I slurp out the last of the juice.These boxes seem smaller now that I’m an adult.

“Very true.”He taps the railing.“Just wanted to tell you thanks.All the guys have been great, but you and Parker have gone out of your way to make Mason feel like he belongs here.”

“Because he does.Besides, I like the kid.He’s a great wingman.”

Kent laughs.“You’re using my kid to get dates?”

“No, but it might’ve helped.Just saying.”I crush the small box as I stand.“Morning comes early.”

“Always.Thanks for talking.”

I drive back to my cabin and text Jasmine before climbing into bed.

Me:What’s your favorite season?

Jasmine:Spring.Is this question from a list?If so, can you send me the link so I can think about the answers ahead of time?I’m not always good under pressure.

Me:Just made it up.But I’ll happily let you ask the questions if you prefer.

Jasmine:That’s a whole other sort of pressure.We’ll take turns.

Me:Sounds fair.

Jasmine:What about your favorite season?

Me:Now it’s spring.When I was a kid, it was summer.For obvious reasons.

She sends a smiley, and I resist the urge to text her again.We have several days before I see her again, lots of time to text questions back and forth.

As I tug the covers up, my phone buzzes.

Jasmine:This question is for tomorrow.Favorite dessert?

I’m betting whatever she bakes is my new favorite dessert.

I send a smiley, then shut off the light.There’s no question who I’ll dream about tonight.

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