“Oh my…”
Hazel makes a tiny strangled sound that might be laughter or reverence. “Look at the size of it,” she whispers, like we’re in a museum.
I don’t even have words. My brain just stays static and scandalized. “That’s… that’s a lot.”
“And huge,” Hazel agrees, utterly delighted. “Who has the time to draw shading on hips like this? This is art.”
From somewhere close, a shout cuts through the air, like they’re calling out a name.
Hazel and I freeze, then she suddenly yanks the phone down so fast it nearly slips, and I choke back a laugh while my heart does a full sprint. We both glance up, wide-eyed, trying to look innocent. Casual. Normal. Two respectable women atthe fairgrounds with absolutely nothing filthy happening on a screen.
Only… it’s no one. Just a ride operator hollering at a kid to step back, the noise already fading into the general chaos.
Hazel looks at me. I stare at her. And we both lose it with breathless giggles that make us bend over the table like we’re fourteen again, wiping tears from our eyes while the fair carries on around us.
When I finally catch my breath, I shove her arm with the heel of my hand. “Delete it from your brain.”
Hazel snorts, tucking her phone away like it’s contraband. “Too late. It’s branded in there. Permanently.” She tips her chin toward the fair around us, all lights and noise and people wrapped in scarves, chasing warmth and deep-fried sweet treats.
The Honeyspur Meadow Spring Fair is a carnival of food and spinning rides, country music from the live band, and carnival games.
“I see them,” Hazel sing-songs, not even pretending to be subtle, and I follow her gaze to see Kai, Carter, and two local rodeo guys heading this way through the crowds. “Oh God, June, Kai is even hotter in person than he looked in those photos. And Carter…” She fans herself. “I might actually die.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“I’m beingaccurate.” She flips her long blonde-and-pink hair over one shoulder—the pink bottom half catching the fairy lights like cotton candy. “The whole town has been buzzing about the three main rodeo stars from the circuit. You know they were here, like, three years ago? I barely remember seeing them. I was too busy with that disastrous boyfriend phase, but apparently they caused quite a stir. Broke hearts left and right.”
“Shocking. I don’t even recall, but I was dating that asshole Tanner.”
“And now they’re back, and every single woman between eighteen and eighty is on high alert.” She pulls out her phone again, scrolling through something, her bold pink nails clicking against the screen. “The online chatter isintense. I’ve seen at least six TikToks about strategy for getting their attention tonight. One girl made a whole video about what perfume to wear to attract an Alpha.”
“That’s concerning.”
“That’scompetition, babe.” She grins. “Good thing you’ve already got a head start.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” She pockets her phone and gives me a knowing look. “You definitely didn’t spend ten minutes this morning telling me about how one of them caught you when you tripped and held you against his very muscular chest.”
“That was an accident.”
“Yeah, where you buried your face in his pecs and inhaled like he was a fine wine.”
I open my mouth to argue, then close it. She’s not wrong.
A gust of wind sends a shiver down my spine, and I wrap my coat tighter around myself, grateful for the heat lamp positioned near our booth.
“Speaking of things going wrong,” I say, desperate to change the subject, “my shower is completely broken. Lost all pressure this morning and the water was ice cold. I thought I was going to freeze to death just trying to wash my hair.”
Hazel winces. “Yikes. Probably the water heater. You should call someone.”
“With the rodeo in town? Everyone’s booked solid.”
“I know someone who owes me a favor. I’ll text you his details.” She glances up. “Oh, hey.” Hazel snaps her fingers, her chunky gold rings catching the light. “You never finished tellingme about the chaperone thing. Pete actually wants you to babysit the rodeo stars?”
I groan. “Apparently. Something about showing good faith to the circuit after the whole arrest situation.”
“So you did him one favor, and now you’re the designated babysitter?”
