AllFreeNovel
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“What a sweet compliment,” Kyle drawls.
I’m not drunk enough to miss the few glances exchanged around the table in response to his dry tone. Yeah, it’s a me thing.
“I saidthis town, not you. All you’ve done is sit here all night.”
“Some of us worked today, Piper.”
“Sitting on a tractor isn’t that hard.”
Kyle tilts his head back, like he’s silently praying for patience.
Natasha leans forward, aiming a small smile my way. “I heard you’re from New York, Piper?”
“Yep.”
Natasha waits. When I say nothing else, she asks, “Is this your first trip to Texas?”
“Uh-huh. First and last, hopefully.”
Kyle growls beneath his breath, then pushes away from the table. “We should go. Thanks for putting this together, Dunc. Nice to meet you, Natasha.”
“You too.” She beams up at him, and my stomach churns unpleasantly.
“Piper. Let’s go.”
I heave out a sigh as I pull myself upward, my muscles loose and relaxed. Unfortunately, the alcohol isn’t enough to dull the stabbing pain from my blisters.
I have to hobble toward the door after waving goodbye to everyone. Kyle sighs several times, making his impatience with my slow pace known.
The crowd outside the bar has disappeared, leaving only a couple of other people in the parking lot. I have no clue what time it is.
Walking out into the night air helps sober me up a little, but not as much as I was hoping.
Halfway across the parking lot, I hear a male voice call out, “Piper!”
Kyle glances back, shakes his head, then continues walking toward his ancient truck.
I turn, realizing it’s the guy who offered to buy me a drink. I force a fake smile, searching my memory for his name. “Hey, Josh.”
“It’s Jack.”
A dry chuckle sounds behind me.
My molars grind together. “Jack, right.”
“You’re headed out?” he asks.
I nod, then hide a yawn with my hand. “Been a long night. Hopefully, I don’t feel like roadkill in the morning. It was nice meeting you.”
“What about tomorrow?” Jack asks before I can turn around to leave. “Are you free for dinner?”
My schedule here is nothingbutfree. Dating is not how I should be filling it though.
“I’m not.” I take a hasty step back, almost tripping over my feet. “I’m busy. Very, very busy. Have a good night!”
I start walking before he can say a word in response, throwing a wave over my shoulder and wincing as my wedges wobble on the pebbles scattered across the dirt parking lot.
Kyle is waiting in his truck with the engine running, tapping his fingers on the outside of the door through the open window.
