“I’ve got it.” She snatched the manual back and put it in the cabinet by the sink. She knew the thr
ee of them were staring at her, knew her eyes were stinging again and that she’d snapped at Fisher without provocation.
But everything Cutter had said was mixed up with everything she knew she shouldn’t want and that kiss that should never have happened. She’d worried about Fisher, hurt for him, but he didn’t seem to care that Toben had his arm around Brook. Or that Brook seemed perfectly happy to be manhandled by Toben. She was confused. She was tired. And she was tired of being confused.
“You should come with us next time,” Shawn said, watching her.
“I have to work,” she answered quickly.
“It doesn’t have to be soon,” Shawn argued. “I just think you’d like it.”
“You’re off this weekend,” Cutter spoke up.
“I’m supposed to work—”
“No, now, Bobby called and said he needed the extra cash. He’s got seniority.” Cutter shook his head. “Besides, you’ve got two jobs now. You need a break, Kylee, or you’ll end up downright crabby, like me.”
Shawn reached over and took her hand. “We can do something after you get off work.”
“Okay,” she agreed. There was no way she could turn him down.
“We could go riding?” Shawn asked.
“We’ll see,” she murmured. “You guys can sit at a table and eat, if you want.” Anything that would put space between her and Fisher—and that shirt.
Shawn and Cutter carried the food and drinks to a table, but Fisher stayed put.
“What’s wrong?” Fisher frowned, concern lining his features.
She sighed, shaking her head. “It’s been a long week.”
“Agreed.” He smiled at her. “Shawn had a really good time, Kylee. He’s a natural cowboy.”
“I’m okay with that. Well...as long as he’s not a Mr. Belt Buckle kind of cowboy,” she clarified.
He grinned. “And you thought my technique needed work.”
Right. The technique she’d offered to help him with...
She looked at Brook, who looked ready to kiss Toben. Looked like it might be too late for Fisher. “I’m sorry about Brook,” she said, searching his face.
He chuckled, the corner of his mouth tilting up. “You were the only one who thought we’d be good together.”
She paused, sifting through his words. “You would be good together.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Kylee, I guess it’s possible, but since neither one of us are interested, it’s not really probable.”
That lump was back in her throat again. “But...” She shouldn’t think about the kiss. “You and I...” She shouldn’t remember the way his hands felt against her face. “I asked you what you wanted to do...” She couldn’t stop thinking about how good it felt to be in his arms.
He nodded. “You did.” His jaw was clenched tight, the slight flare of his nostrils confusing her. “Did you ever stop to think that I did what I wanted to do?”
She shook her head, lowering her voice to an almost whisper. “You kissed me.”
“Exactly.” He gazed at her mouth. “And I’ve been wanting to do it again ever since.”
Just like that, her world was upside down. His words were the most wonderful, terrifying thing she’d ever heard in her life. “You do?”
He nodded. “I’d like to take you out on a date, Kylee.”