She couldn’t keep her mind off Abbie and Ryan cheating on her either, or the fact her stepmother was enjoying her life of leisure on Daddy’s dime while Kalista was stuck peeling a five-pound bag of russets last night for Viv’s potato salad entry in the Hoedown Potato Showdown.
Tyler entered the room and brushed back his bangs. “Thanks,” he said with another full smile. “Much better than the porta john.”
She didn’t answer.
“Are you coming outside for the Sadie Hawkins dance? It’s in an hour.”
“Thewhatdance?”
“Sadie Hawkins. That’s where the girls ask the guys to dance.” He was blushing, but it was hot and humid outside, so maybe that was the reason.
“Does the band play more than just banjo music?” she asked.
“They stick with the classics. Ms. Pickles is teaching square dance lessons right now. Would you like to learn?”
She rolled her eyes again.
“I could get you an oxtail sandwich. Those are delicious.”
Ooh, he was getting on her nerves. “Look, I realize you’re my boss, but we’re not on the clock right now. And no, I don’t want to learn square dancing. I don’t want to Sadie Hawking, or whatever you said. I definitely don’t want to eat a bunch of fat, greasy food. Just leave me alone. Got it?”
Tyler pushed up his glasses. “Sorry to bother you,” he mumbled and hurried outside.
Kalista turned and faced the window. Tyler’s problem was thathe was too nice. Excruciatingly nice, and that made her even more cranky. And a tad bit guilty. At least now he wouldn’t keep asking her stupid questions.
She let out a sigh and rubbed her temple. Maybe she should apologize to him on Monday. Better yet, she should just pretend it didn’t happen. That’s what she usually did when she made a mistake—she ignored it, hoping other people would too. Then she didn’t have to apologize at all.
She was about to go back to the tiny living room and pointlessly flip through the five channels Bo had on his TV when she saw a tall, good-looking guy walking across the backyard, looking lost. An idea hit her—she could offer to help him. Maybe they could hang out.And see what happens.
Grinning for the first time today, she hurried to the bathroom, touched up her makeup, and made sure her hair wasn’t a frizz ball. Ugh, it was, but she didn’t have time to redo it. At least she looked cute in a Viv-approved light pink sundress. She slipped into her sandals and went outside.
The guy was farther away, scanning the crowd, and she quickly caught up to him. “Hello,” she said in her most alluring voice. “Can I help you with something?”
He turned to her, looking a little surprised. “Do you know Jade Smith?”
Jade Smith. That name sounded familiar... Oh! The lady she had lunch with the other day. She was still in town? “I haven’t seen her,” she said moving closer to him. He smelled good too, and his red T-shirt looked great on him, despite the pig image front and center. Viv had called it a Razorback, and she’d seen plenty other people wearing shirts and hats with the emblem on it. He had on long khaki shorts, but his high-tops weren’t name brand, so she subtracted a few points from his overall appeal score.
“I can help you find her,” she said, despite having no idea if Jade was even here. But hanging out with a good-looking guy was better than being stuck inside staring at chicken wallpaper all day.
He tilted his head as if unsure. Then nodded. “Okay.”
They walked through the crowd, the happy screeches of children playing in the bouncy castle, the sights and smells of a cookout and the country music in the air. More than half the people were wearing boots of some kind—mostly old cowboy or rain boots. They were all having a blast.
Things were looking up for Kalista too. Way up. “What’s your name?” she asked him.
“Logan. How do you know Jade?”
Humph. She was puzzled that he hadn’t given her a flirty look yet. Batting her eyes, she answered, “Work. How do you know her?”
“She’s my sister.”
“Huh?” The fair-skinned redhead who needed a wardrobe makeover was this guy’s sister? It didn’t compute, and now she wondered if she had the wrong Jade Smith in mind.
He looked down and smiled a little. “We look just alike, don’t you think?”
“Uh...”
“I’m kidding.” Logan’s smile widened. “We’re foster siblings.”
