Jace pulled off his cap. “I’ve had it for ten years. Just about got it broken in.”
Krystal laughed, shaking her head. Her face was scrubbed free of makeup, the tight-fitting dress traded in for faded jeans and a blue plaid button-down shirt two sizes too big. Her boots still sparkled something fierce, making him grin. She looked young and carefree with her long hair caught back in a ponytail and a smile on her face.
“What?” Her smile dipped.
Dammit. He’d been staring. And she’d noticed.
“Your boots.” He fumbled for an excuse.
“What about them?” She stared down at her boots.
“Right. Boots,” Travis said, he and Emmy Lou going to the other side of the vehicle.
“Not exactly ranch gear.” He shrugged, then opened the door of the SUV.
“Good thing we’re not going to the ranch.” Hands on hips, her brows rose. “Besides, I like these boots.”
“They’re some boots.”
“They’re custom-made,” Heather said, looking back and forth between them. “All the etching and crystals and design work—just for Krystal.”
Krystal’s smile tightened and she stared down at her boots, a V forming between her brows.
“Ladies first.” He gave Heather a hand up into the SUV.
“Thank you.” His sister was all breathless excitement again, holding on to Clementine like the dog wa
s a national treasure.
“Always the gentleman.” Krystal took the hand he offered, the starch back in her spine. “She’s sweet.” There was a hint of sadness in her voice. And regret.
He held on to her longer than necessary, wishing like hell she’d let him in and knowing the chances were slim. “Some people would say bringing my baby sister here for me was sweet.”
“Maybe.” Her gaze fell to their joined hands. “Others might think I did it because I was after something.” She slid onto the leather seat and pulled the door shut without another word.
He climbed into the front passenger seat and nodded at Sawyer, their driver, all the while wondering what the hell her comment meant. Was she trying to warn him away again? Or was she hoping to reel him in? Hook, line, and sinker.
Chapter 8
“Strike!” Krystal did a little dance across the polished floor of the bowling alley.
“Way to not be competitive.” Travis crossed his arms over his chest.
“You know better.” She leaned forward, smiling at her brother.
“Glad you’re on my team.” Jace high-fived her, his dark hair falling onto his forehead. “That puts us in the lead, doesn’t it?”
His grin made her forget about her brother and the need to rub his face in the fact that they were kicking his and Sawyer’s butts. Just like Jace’s laugh made her insides go all soft and warm. And the heat of his hand on her back had her leaning, just a bit, into his touch. Until tonight, she’d thought bowling was boring.
Travis rolled his eyes. “You’re both poor sports, then? Awesome. Something else you have in common.”
“Maybe we should call it a game?” Emmy Lou sat at a table behind their lane, with Heather and Clementine. “Food is here, anyway.”
“Fine.” Travis scowled.
“Wait, hold on.” Krystal held her hand up. “Are we calling it as in Jace and I win? Or calling it and tomorrow you’ll say it didn’t count?”
Travis rolled his eyes.