“That’s basically it.”
“And the favor was bailing out the hot grumpy one at two in the morning?”
“Seth. Yes.”
“And then his pack showed up at the photo shoot, and they were all immediately obsessed with you?”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“Is it, though?” She raises an eyebrow. “Because the way you described it, two of them were looking at you like you were their last meal.”
Before I can respond, the group of cowboys finally reaches our booth.
Kai is wearing a black button-up shirt open at the collar, sleeves rolled to his elbows, that full sleeve of tribal tattoos on display. His dark hair is pulled up in its usual messy knot, loose strands framing a face that belongs on a magazine cover. The eyebrow piercing catches my attention as he tilts his head, and his grin is pure, undiluted trouble.
Carter is in a red-and-black checkered flannel that strains across his shoulders in ways that should require a permit. His blond hair is windblown and golden under the fairy lights, that short beard framing a jaw I want to trace with my fingers. And green eyes that find mine immediately.
No Seth.
I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed. Probably both. The other two locals are lingering nearby in jeans, cowboy boots, and shirts.
“Evening, ladies.” Kai’s voice is like warm honey. “Heard this was the place to be.”
“You heard right.” Hazel steps forward, confidence radiating off her like heat. “I’m Hazel. I’ll be helping June run things tonight.”
“Kai.” He takes her hand, but his eyes slide to me. “And this is Carter, Don, and Connor.”
I wave to the guys, yet having Kai and Carter watching me burns me up. It’s annoying how easily these two can make me lose my composure. I’ve spent years building walls, perfecting my poker face, and they’re dismantling it with nothing but grins and compliments.
Hazel is watching this silent exchange with undisguised glee. “Oh, I like them,” she announces. “June, I approve.”
“I didn’t ask for approval.”
“You’re getting it anyway.” She claps her hands together. “All right, boys. We need to do some test runs before the crowd shows up. Get the positioning right, figure out the lighting.”
“Test runs?” I narrow my eyes at her, as we hadn’t discussed this.
“I’ve never worked withtheseparticular subjects.” She gestures at the guys. “Different energy. We need to calibrate.”
“That’s not a thing,” I say.
She grabs my arm and starts pulling me toward the photo area. “June, Kai, Carter, let’s see what we’re working with.”
The photo area has several backdrop options, a green screen for digital backgrounds, a rustic wooden fence with hay bales, a starry night sky, and a classic Western sunset. Hazel selects the green screen.
“Simple for practice,” she says, positioning herself behind the camera. “June, you’re in the middle. Boys, make her look good.”
“That won’t be hard,” Kai murmurs, stepping up to my left.
“She already looks incredible,” Carter adds, appearing on my right.
Suddenly I’m very aware of how close they are. How their body heat cuts through the cold air. How their scents are curling around me like they’re trying to pull me closer.
“Remember,” Hazel continues, adjusting her settings, “you want to look approachable but also… cowboy-ish. Make the fans feel special.”
“Cowboy-ish,” Kai repeats, amused. “Technical term?”
“It is now.” She points at Don and Connor. “You two, pay attention. Take notes on how to make a woman feel like she’s the only person in the room.” Hazel turns back to us. “All right. Show me something.”
