Page 1 of Playing it Country

PROLOGUE

CASE

“You’ve got to be fucking kiddin’ me.” I curse under my breath as I look up from my perch at the end of the bar at the Tap and Table, the Adirondack-themed restaurant run by two New York transplants.

I’d been distracted by the smokin’ hot girl at the other end of the bar talkin’ to Holly, the owner, when I should have been watching the door. Mila walks over to a table and starts talking to a group of elementary school teachers, but she keeps lookin’ around the bar—undoubtedly for me.

Shit.

I make a mental note to smack my brother for makin’ me come grab lunch, but it will have to wait because I have a much bigger problem. Moving as slowly as I can, I pull my hat down low over my eyes and try my best to slide down the bar without drawing attention to myself.

The hot girl glances over at me and arches an eyebrow before returning her gaze to Holly. Hot Girl looked amused that I’d moved closer, and if it were any other time, I’d take advantage of that but it’s definitely not the time. I turn to ask when my order will be ready when I catch movement in my periphery.

“Excuse me, miss, I’m so sorry to ask this but I’d really appreciate you pretendin’ to be my girlfriend for just a few minutes because even though I broke things off with this girl weeks ago, she won’t take a hint and she’s comin’ over right now and I’m beggin’ you.”

“You use that line on all the girls?” Hot Girl purrs, but before I can answer, her head turns toward Mila who is stomping her way toward us. “You owe me.”

“Anything.”

Her smirk is wicked as she throws her arms around my neck and kisses the hell out of me. My hands automatically go to her hips, and she presses her body tighter into mine.

“Case!” Mila shrieks and I pull back. “Who the hell is this?”

“His girlfriend,” Hot Girl answers as she looks Mila up and down. “And you are?”

“Argh! You’re such an asshole!” Mila picks up the half-full water glass on the table next to her, and I push Hot Girl back right before the cold liquid hits me in the face.

The empty cup slams on the table and Mila turns on her heels and marches out of the restaurant.

“Clean it up, stud,” Holly says as she throws a bar rag at me with a laugh.

“Thanks, Holly, I’m really sorry about that,” I say as I wipe my face.

“Not the worst I’ve seen, Case, you know that but,”—her smile is mischievous as she looks between me and Hot Girl who looks amused, then continues, “I guess I don’t have to introduce you to my niece Hannah now, do I?”

Niece.

Because of course she is.

I roll my lips inward as I try and figure out how I’m going to fix this when Hot Girl—Hannah—speaks.

“Well, it sure was nice meeting you, Case. Aunt Holly, I’ll see you at home.”

“Sure thing, hun.”

I’m still at a loss when Hannah turns that smile on me and I damn near swallow my tongue. “I’ll be collecting that favor, Stud, so get ready.”

“Yes ma’am,” I say automatically, and she winks before heading out the door. It’s only after Holly drops the bag with my order on the bar do I realize that Hannah winked at me.

Hot Girl stole my move.

1

HANNAH

Driving the back roads from Blackstone Falls to Clementine Creek never fails to amuse me. It’s socountry.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course, but I’ve done my fair share of traveling in the last five years since graduating from college, and I never feel quite settled when I land in a small town.

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