“Hey—” But the protest died when laughing blue eyes of an incredibly good-looking man captivated her. Ben.
His short reddish-blond hair was perfectly messed, and his stubble, almost a beard now, cut close to his angular jaw. The plaid shirt showcased his wide shoulders, and his jeans fit just right.
“What are you doing here?” Ben added a Southern drawl, which sent a slight thrill through her. “I don’t think you came all the way to Hearts Bend to take selfies at a square dance.”
“Hello to you too.” Cami held up her hand. “Phone please. I’m proving to my sister that I’m here.”
“So, why are you here?”
“Convincing you to sell me the inn.”
He laughed. “You might try adding a few dollars to your offer.” He looked at her boots. “Then you wouldn’t have to wear those ridiculous things.”
“Hey, leave my shoes out of it. These are legit cowboy boots and completely appropriate for tonight.” But he was right. So very right. “And I might consider upping the offer. What do you say to?—”
“I don’t do business at a barn dance.” Ben handed over her phone and grabbed her hand, dragging her to the dance floor.
“Ben, seriously, I do not know how to square dance. I’ll step all over your toes.”
But he wasn’t listening. He’d just lined them up with the twirling couples when the caller ended the dance and announced a short break.
Then, from the suspended speakers, a slow song began to play, and Luke Bryan sang about the girl he used to know. One by one, couples gathered in a slow, close sway.
Ben pulled Cami close, and she did absolutely nothing to resist him. His embrace was warm, strong, and oh-so-amazing.
“I thought this was a square dance,” she whispered, her lips close to his ear.
“I’m leading you in the box step.” His voice tickled her ear as he leaned closer, his breath against her ear. “That’s a square.”
She muffled her laugh against his shoulder. Then she stepped on his toe. “Oh, Ben, I’m so?—”
“Just dance, Cami. Feel.” He held her closer. “Don’t overthink it. Follow my lead. The box step is easy as pie.”
“Cherry or pecan?”
“Apple.”
“Hmm. Not my favorite, but…”
One slow song led to another. She quickly relaxed into his arms and found her rhythm. Following his steps was easy. His cheek brushed hers, and the hair of his beard tickled her in a delicious way. She could get used to this.
“How do you normally spend your Friday nights, then, Cami?”
“Working, then takeout followed by a soak in my tub, music in the background.” Annalise was right, and it was time to get a life outside of work. “What about you, Ben? How do you normally spend your Friday nights?”
He chuckled and Cami leaned back to study his face. He probably spent his Friday nights with pretty girls in trendy restaurants.
“Working, so I can’t bust you for it.”
“Birds of a feather and all that.”
Just when she was feeling like she never wanted to leave his arms, the band returned, and Ben roped her into square dancing.
She eventually got the hang of it. Dancing with Ben was fun. She couldn’t help but laugh as she do-si-doed around him.
On the last note of the song, Ben wrapped an arm around her waist, pulled her close. She whipped out her phone. “Proof we danced. Annalise isn’t going to believe it.”
“You need video footage too. Hey, Ray!” Ben waved over an older gentleman in denim overalls and wearing a floppy fisherman’s hat. “Cami, you remember the gardener, right?”
