Page 8 of Worth the Trouble

It wasn’t so bad. Not when they chose to spend time at Sagebrush. But here? At a bar that offered country dancing nightly? Jason knew this wasn’t his kind of place.

A soft hand landed on his forearm, and he glanced down to find the woman touching him. “I was actually heading outside to get some fresh air. Would you mind coming with me?”

All eyes were glued to him.

This was his second chance, and he was going to take it by the horns.

Jason offered his elbow to the woman and gave her a curt nod and flashed her a smile. “I’d be happy to.”

Wendy made a strange sound. A cross between a giggle, a gasp, and a squeak. Thankfully, Tripp wheeled her back toward his cousins who were watching with curiosity farther into the room.

The angel at his side slipped her fingers into the crook of his arm, and he led them outside. His mind was a jumbled mess. He’d berated himself earlier for not getting her number, and he wasn’t about to let that opportunity pass him by again. But blurting the question didn’t feel right. He scrambled for the right thing to say and finally it came to him.

But she beat him to it.

“Thank you.”

He glanced down at her, amused and a little surprised. “For what?”

She thumbed over her shoulder toward the building they were walking away from. “It was getting to be a little overwhelming in there.”

His steps faltered. Jason knew exactly what she meant, and he hadn’t even gone inside. All he could do was listen as she continued speaking.

“Honestly, I’m fine in large groups. My job requires it. I have to be able to organize and help my company look good to the masses. In a conference room, I’m happy to take control and rock it.” She laughed, the sound music to his ears. He was entranced by the lilt of it, by how she didn’t hold back. “But back there?” She grimaced and gestured to her dress, a detail he was only now noticing himself. “I wasn’t exactly dressed for it, you know? And when you’re not exactly fitting in⁠—”

“You look amazing,” he said.

She blinked, nearly tripping over her own feet to the point that he had to reach to where her hand was still linked with his elbow so he could steady her. Then she met his eyes and smiled.

That dazzling smile about brought him to his knees.

What was it with this woman that had him so enthralled? She was gorgeous. Adorable. Had a nice laugh. And she understood the strain of being the center of attention. But most of all, she didn’t look at him with any expectation. She seemed content to speak without being bothered by his preference to choose his words.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “But you don’t have to say that because⁠—”

He didn’t look away. “I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.”

She dipped her head and heat shot through him when he caught a glimpse of her smile. He would never get enough of seeing her happy. Already, he knew that. “Well. Thanks.”

Jason nodded. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. If they spent the whole night wandering up and down the street like this, he’d be happy. “I didn’t catch your name,” he murmured.

She pulled them to a stop. “Oh my gosh. You’re right!” She shook her head and a tentative laugh bubbled out of her. “I’m Cece.”

“Cece. Pretty name for a pretty girl.”

She snickered but before she could put herself down, he cut her off.

“How long will you be in Rocky Ridge? I assume you’re just visiting?”

Cece nodded. Footsteps approached from their back, and they moved closer to the building to let them pass on the sidewalk. Each of them leaned against the wall, facing the street. Cars drove by. Voices broke the quiet evening. The sky was clear, allowing them the opportunity to watch the stars in this small town. But Jason only had eyes for her.

She hesitated, then peeked at him. “I’m not sure, actually.”

“You don’t know how long you’ll be in town?”

She shook her head. “I’m here on business.” Her grimace made it plain she was uncomfortable with the topic and there was no way he would force her to tell him what she didn’t want to. It was the little tells he was good at reading. Sometimes the obvious ones were harder to decipher.

“Do you like what you do? For work?”