Page 67 of Sunrise & Serenity

His gaze shifts behind me. “Is that why Holden’s glaring over here?”

I only just manage to stop myself from looking over my shoulder. “I assumed that’s because you’re rodeo rivals.” I wince. “Or you were, anyway.”

He smirks. “No more than any other rider. We usually manage to be cordial.”

“Huh. Then I don’t know. It might just be his normal expression. He doesn’t tend to smile much.”

“Could be. Or could be he doesn’t like seeing another man’s arms around you.”

I shake my head a little harder than warranted. “It wouldn’t be anything like that. Holden and I are just friends. Well, not even that, really. We’re neighbors more than anything. I’m staying in the cabin next to his.”

Cash’s eyebrows rise, as does one corner of his mouth.

“Actually,” I babble on. “I don’t think he even likes me that much.”

Cash laughs. “Trust me, a man who doesn’t like you wouldn’t be staring over here like he is.”

I blink up at him, unsure what to say. Does Holden like me? We’ve definitely had some moments, and I’m ridiculously attracted to him. Maybe he’s even attracted to me. But is there anything more to it than that?

Part of me wants to pull away from Cash, just in case what he’s saying is true. But another part wants to stay right here. Even if Holden does happen to like me—and that’s a big if—I can’t imagine him making a move. He’s too controlled, too good at keeping his distance.

Maybe if I wasn’t still chasing my career, I’d be tempted to see if I could close that distance. But speculating on what he may or may not feel, and on what I wish I could do about it, is pointless.

Or at least that’s what I tell myself.

Cash must see the conflict in my eyes. “Should we test my theory?”

My pulse kicks up a notch. “What do you mean?”

The grin spreading across his face is nothing short of devilish. He lets go of my waist, takes off his hat, and places it gently on top of mine. Then he tips my chin up with two fingers and smiles. “Perfect.”

I frown, but barely a moment later, the hat is swept off my head, and Holden is shoving it against Cash’s chest.

“She doesn’t want your hat.” His voice is hard.

Cash shrugs. “Didn’t see her protesting.”

“She’s from the city. She doesn’t know what it means.”

My gaze ping-pongs back and forth between them, and I put up my hand. “I’m sorry, you’re not talking about the whole ‘if you wear a cowboy’s hat, you’re going to sleep with him’ thing are you?”

Both men turn to me, Cash with a grin and Holden with a frown.

“You do know?” he asks.

I roll my eyes. “Anyone who’s read a cowboy romance knows what it’s supposed to mean, but that’s just… you know, made up, right? I mean, it’s not a real thing.” I hesitate, taking in how they’re looking at me. “Is it?”

Holden turns back to Cash. “See? She has no intention of going home with you, so you might as well find another woman to warm your bed.”

It makes me itchy, the way he’s presuming to know what I want. Even though I have no intention of sleeping with Cash, Holden has no right to decide for me. I plant my hands on my hips. “Wait a minute.”

As soon as they’re focused on me again, I step forward. “No one but me gets a say in who I go home with and who I don’t.”

My voice rings out a little too loud. The song has ended, and I wince as I realize that a space has formed around us and we’re drawing attention.

Suddenly, I’m counting how many drinks I’ve had tonight.

But I’m not backing down now. I hold out my hand toward Cash. “Hat, please.”