Country Kisses (3:AM Kisses Book #8)(45)
She bites down on her lip with a slight unease. “Actually, we’re not quite there yet. He invited me to his sister’s birthday party. She’s totally insane and such a brat.” She lets out a heated breath. “I wish to God she wasn’t in the picture. She’s just ruining everything between us. She was actually rooting for me to go home this afternoon. She’s a terrible person.” She makes a face. “Okay, she’s not actually a terrible person.” A fat tear rolls down her face, and I’m quick to wipe it away. “I’m the terrible person. If I hadn’t put any of us in this position to begin with, I wouldn’t have had to listen to her hand me my ass on a frilly little platter.”
We share a little laugh at the countrified euphemism.
“So, you said he asked you out? Hon, you’ve already won the war.”
She shakes her head. “I wish I could be as confident as you are. He actually hinted at the fact there might be a girl at the party that he’s interested in.”
“Is there a ring on that girl’s finger?”
“I’m guessing not.”
“Then as far as you’re concerned, that little twat doesn’t even have a name. For all practical purposes, she’ll be known as a bump in the road from here on out.”
“A bump in the road,” she hiccups. “You really think so?”
“Hon, with you in the way, this poor little thing doesn’t stand a chance. There’s a reason they’re not serious. I bet she’s a real peach—a real C U Next Tuesday!”
“A C U Next what?” She draws in a quick breath as she gets my quasi-acronym for that delicate part of the female anatomy. Sammy tips her head back and laughs a good old deep, hearty belly laugh—the kind only a true friend can gift you.
“You are too much, Cass. Now that’s such a wholesome putdown, I might just say it to her face if I ever get a chance to meet her.” She wipes the happy tears from the corners of her eyes. “How about you?” She knocks me with her shoulder as she plucks a tissue out of her purse. “I bet you’ve got a fire or two burning for some lucky guy out there.”
“There is someone. We were just having fun at first, but things are starting to take a turn for the serious.”
“Serious? Serious is good.” She leans in playfully. “So, what’s got you so sour?”
“I don’t know.” I touch my finger to my left cheek. “I haven’t had too many people see past my good side.” I give a little wink.
“And this guy?”
That kiss he planted on my scar a few weeks back runs through my mind, and my body heats like an inferno.
“It’s like he sees it, but he doesn’t really care. I don’t know. It sounds silly, but it’s almost as if he doesn’t see it. And yet, the other night when we went to the movies, it was pretty clear he saw someone he knew, and he couldn’t get us out of there fast enough. I guess I can’t really read him yet.”
“Have you told this guy how you feel?”
“No way. I’m not one to profess my love for anyone. Not that I’ve ever been in love until—” Oh my God. I love Cade!
“You love this boy, don’t you?”
I take a deep breath and hold it, unable to let go, as a warm bubbling stream of wanting, of love runs throughout my body.
“I think I do love this boy.” The words escape me, breathy, swimming free in the spring breeze for the very first time.
“Oh, Cassidy!” She pulls me into a tight embrace. “Once I get back together with my man, the four of us will have to go out on a double date. I knew I had a lifelong friend in you the day we met.”
“You do indeed.” I offer her a firm embrace back. “Hey, you want to grab a bite with my friends and me? We always catch an early dinner at the Black Bear on Mondays. Just a little girl fun to help us get to Tuesday.”
“Oh no, that’s okay. I feel like I’ve butted into one too many lives already. You don’t need me hanging around. I’ll catch you in class. Good luck with your man!”
“Good luck with yours! Fight dirty if you have to so we can get that double date scheduled sooner than later!”
She lets out a laugh as the wind blows her hair wild up over her head like a flame. “I’ll get right on that!”
I head on up to my dorm, giggling to myself like a fool. I’m in love with Cade James, and I want to shout it from the rooftops. But something tells me I should whisper it to Cade first.
The Black Bear Saloon is filled to capacity, and the waitresses are slow to come by any table, let alone ours.
“I’m f*cking starving.” Piper has been in a pissy mood ever since I stepped into our room this evening. Apparently, she had an altercation with someone she is loosely referring to as “that wench,” but refuses to extrapolate on the subject out of respect for the people involved. “Finally—here’s Baya,” she snarls as the cute bubbly girl comes over and takes our order.
“Excuse me!” I pull Baya aside before she bops off. “I didn’t notice a sign out front, but I’m really hoping for a summer position. Any chance the bar will have an opening by then?”
She grimaces before glancing back at the registers. “Not really, but since you’re Piper’s friend, I’ll give a special recommendation to the owner.” She gives a little wink. “I’m sleeping with him, so I have a little pull.”