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“Great. I’ll knock on your door around eight-thirty.”
“That sounds perfect. And look super handsome, okay? Just like this.” She waved a hand down his body.
He shook his head. “You want to show me off to your cousin? I’m honored.”
“I do. But more than that, I want to rub her snotty little face in you. Not literally. Just in the figurative sense that I want her to know we’re…um…I’m sorry.”
“No, I’ve never been arm candy before. This’ll be interesting. Am I allowed to talk, or should I only speak if spoken to?”
“Just look pretty.”
“Got it.”
Merry was laughing so hard by the time Shane parked the truck, she nearly fell when she stepped out. She’d closed her door before she noticed Cole standing at the top of the steps. “Hi, Cole,” she called. She’d been planning on going straight to Shane’s apartment, but this made things a little awkward. Cole was clearly waiting for his friend.
She walked past and tried to look casual. She didn’t register how tense Cole was until he spoke to Shane. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Merry had the door half open, and as she turned to get another look at Cole, she realized Grace was standing in the doorway of their apartment.
“Hey, Grace. How was your day? Mine was damn awesome, I have to admit. In fact, it was kind of spectacular.”
Grace didn’t answer her smile. Merry stopped just inside as the door to the Stud Farm closed behind her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Come inside the apartment. We need to talk about something.”
Merry paused, her happiness draining down a slow, cold vortex. “Grace, what’s wrong? I’m serious. Tell me.”
“Come inside,” Grace repeated, but Merry heard shouting from outside and turned back to the front door.
“What’s going on?” she whispered as Shane’s voice vibrated through the door. She reached out to turn the knob.
“Merry, don’t!” She heard Grace’s boots rush across the wood, but the door was already open. And Shane and Cole were squared off at the bottom of the steps.
“How the fuck could you do that?” Cole yelled. “That’s despicable.”
“It isn’t what you think,” Shane started.
Cole pushed him. “Are you kidding me? You were fucking using her!”
“I wasn’t.”
“Don’t be such a coward. Admit it!”
Cole pushed again, and Shane threw his arms off with a violent toss of his hands. “Fine! I was using her, but it isn’t how it looks. I—”
“It isn’t how it looks?” Cole growled. “Funny, because it looks like you’re screwing her over and screwing her at the same time.” He shoved one more time, and this time Shane tripped over the edge of the lawn and went down as Cole yelled, “What kind of man are you?”
Shane surged up as if he meant to throw a punch at Cole, but his wild gaze caught on Merry and he froze. His eyes widened as his fists slowly lowered. “Merry,” he rasped.
Cole spun to look at her. “Ah, shit. Grace, you were supposed to keep her inside.”
“What’s going on?” Merry whispered. A murmur drew her spinning attention toward the saloon, and she saw a few people on the porch watching. Listening. “What is this?” she asked.
Shane started toward her, but Cole grabbed his shirt and yanked him back.
Grace’s hands closed over Merry’s shoulders from behind. “Come inside. Please.”
