“I just hope the plants make it through the night.” He imagined tender leaves stiffening in the frost.
Cull tilted his head back with a slow nod. “I don’t think it’ll hit freezing, but it’s damn brisk, and it was such a nice day.” He took a long swallow, then toed off his boots.
Seth’s gaze drifted to the window, where moonlight glinted through.
“So, what’s your problem with Ryan?” Cull asked.
Seth’s shoulders rose in a shrug. “Damn it, I don’t want to talk about her.”
“Tough,” Cull said, his tone firm. “You’re attracted to her, and since you’re not happy about that, you’ve been mean.”
“I’m not mean!” Seth’s protest trembled on the edge of a laugh.
“You have been, Seth,” Cull pressed. “You hurt her feelings.”
Seth ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. She’s leaving, and I won’t start something with no future.”
Cull chuckled. “Yeah, right.”
“What does that mean?” Seth asked.
“Man, you’ve already started something and don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. You’re sleeping with her, though I doubt much sleeping goes on.”
Seth huffed. “I should have stayed away from her.”
“Shit, we could all feel the tension between you. It was just a matter of time.”
“It does no good, Cull. She’ll be leaving soon.”
“She asked me where to go have fun. I told her about Dewey’s.”
Seth stared at him. “Why the hell did you do that?”
Cull chuckled. “Because she asked me.”
“Shit,” Seth said, frustration flickering as he shook his head. “There’s no sense in starting something with her that will end. She has a job in California and I’m not leaving Montana.”
Cull tipped his head. “I’d never leave Montana.”
“Me neither.” Seth tossed the remote to him. “Find something to watch. You’re crashing here, no drinking and driving.”
Cull caught it easily. “Fair enough. My place is only a mile away, but still.” He flipped through channels.
Seth leaned back, tension easing. He wasn’t sure how he felt about Ryan heading to Dewey’s alone, she’d turn every head in that place.
“Is she going alone?” Seth asked.
“She said she’d try to get another woman from the B and B to go along. I told her it’s best she didn’t go solo.”
“Good. She needs a night out.”
Cull smirked. “Maybe drink your mean-ass out of her head.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Seth frowned.
“The tension between you two is thick,” Cull said, voice teasing. “Maybe if you take her to bed enough, you’ll get her out of your head.” He dared Seth with a playful lift of his brow.
Seth narrowed his eyes, then grinned when Cull chuckled.
