Page 23 of Playing it Country

Shaking my head, I turn my focus back to the task at hand. I don’t need to be staring into anyone’s eyes, regardless of how soulful they might be. Otto’s suggestion that Case might need a roommate niggles at the back of my brain at the same time Case’s eyes meet mine.

He winks and the flutter of butterflies is right on par for the aw shucks grin he slides my way. The man is good, I’ll give him that.

Too bad I’m not looking for aw shucks or any of the promises he’s making for later on. The Case Thayer I met at the bar might have been able to woo me with a good time, but the one standing here now watching his brother say “I do” is halfway drunk on forever.

Like now that his twin is hitched he might just get the chance too. I shudder and hurry back down the aisle to capture the moment the groom takes the first step to forever with his bride.

9

CASE

“Ibelieve it’s customary for the photographer to have a dance with the most eligible groomsman.”

“I thought that was Sorren,” Hannah says as she takes another picture. I follow her line of sight to where the man in question is slow dancing with my sister and grin—the sly dog.

“He is handsome,” I agree. “But not nearly as fun.”

“I don’t know…they look like they’re having fun.”

Hayden bumps Sorren with his hip, and Sorren scowls while Everett tries, and fails, to spin Hayden away. My sister rests her head on Sorren’s chest as she laughs, and his shoulders ease the slightest bit down.

Honestly, it’s amazing how in sync she is with him. The difference over the last several months has been noticeable. I just keep praying he doesn’t lose his shit if she finally goes out with Colt Harrington, the shortstop for the Illinois Blues and Hank’s lakeside neighbor.

“What about you? Why aren’t you there cutting a rug on the dance floor?”

“I already danced with all my sisters and my mama, but the only girl I really want to dance with is you.” I give her my signature smile and she just laughs and shakes her head.

“So you’re saying I’m a last resort?”

“What? No!” I say too quickly because I should have seen that coming but my flirt game is less than stellar today. “I’m just sayin’ I tried to resist but there’s this pull I feel toward you, and I just couldn’t stay away.”

Throwing her head back, she laughs, and I decide that even if she doesn’t dance with me, this moment was worth it. She’s the one who declared flirting with me an acceptable pastime over at the Brew, Q, ’n Boogie, and I’ve been known to be shameless a time or two.

“Does that line ever work?”

“I usually don’t have to try this hard.”

“That’s pretty cocky, Stud.”

I hold out my hands in surrender. “Just stating the facts.”

“So you’re saying you’re enjoying the chase? I mean it’s not like you’ve been tryin’ real hard or anything,” she teases.

“You sayin’ I should up my game?”

“I’m saying upping your game would require you to have one in the first place.”

“Ouch.” I laugh but I’m not mad. She’s fun and this is the best time I’ve had with a girl in a long while. Choosing not to analyze that last bit too closely, I hold out my hands again. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Isn’t it open bar?” She gives me the raised eyebrow but I smirk.

“I said get you a drink not buy you a drink.”

“I think you’re splitting hairs, Case.” I love the way she says my name, but when I meet Miss Thelma’s eyes across the room and she not so subtly points to one of the girls catering the wedding, I know I have to make a move—and fast. I cannot allow myself to be set up with the granddaughter of her bridge partner.

Or anyone else for that matter.

“So listen…”

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