“Hi. Thanks for coming,” the words rush out of my mouth like I’ve been practicing them in my head.
Which is exactly what I’ve done.
And I nailed it. Until the actual performance.
“Well,” she smiles softly and bites her lip before leaning toward me slightly, “I figured since my best friend has been much busier lately, I can’t really be turning down friends.” She eyes me before sighing. “Though, you’re probably pretty busy too. Ranch life, huh?”
“I make time when it matters,” I hold her navy gaze, hoping she can see the sincerity that runs to the depths of my soul. There’s not a hint of amusement or subterfuge in my voice either.
Her cheeks turn a shade of pink that makes me want to run my finger along her skin. I hate it, but I don’t think she’ll let metouch her. My hand fists at my side; it’s the only thing stopping me from reaching for her.
“Okay,” she breathes out, something shifting in her eyes. “So, what kind of candy is your favorite?”
“This feels like a test,” I tease her, my eyes narrowing.
When Arden crosses her hands across her chest the action pushes her breasts up. It takes all of my willpower not to look down. Her sweater is already clinging to her curves. I’m going to pop a boner and embarrass myself.
“Maybe it is,” she tosses the words at me, not realizing just how short on control I am right now.
I realize, no matter what happens, this isn’t a friend date. It’s a date. That’s it.
Hopefully, I don’t fuck it up.
While rubbing my hand over my jaw, I smirk down at her. “Since we’re talking about the movies, I usually go with Milk Duds.”
“Okay,” she holds the word out and nods once. Her deadpan expression is cute as she asks, “How do you feel about Junior Mints?”
My face scrunches up and Arden laughs. Damn.
I got her to laugh again.
There have been moments in my life when I’ve felt damn good. Late night moments when a calf is finally born after a hard labor. Winning an auction for a bull meant to help the health of the herd. Laying down in bed and realizing nothing went wrong.
Because things always go wrong. That’s life and we’re talking about heads of cattle who you can’t reason with. They’re big animals with their own agendas.
Getting Arden to laugh? It feels even better than those moments.
I gently take her elbow and her laughter fades as she looks at me with soft eyes. “I already grabbed the tickets,” I nod toward the door, “let’s get good seats?”
She glances around because it’s not like there’s a line waiting to get in. I shake my head, a grin tugging at my lips as she allows me to lead her inside. I don’t stop until we’re at the food counter.
I hardly look at the person on the other side. Mostly because I can’t seem to look away from Arden. How I manage to put in my order is a mystery.
But I do. And she chose Milk Duds as well.
Arden glances up at me before poking my shoulder. “You’re staring at me.”
“Can’t help it,” I mutter. “I should have already told you how pretty you look.”
When her navy eyes snap up to meet mine, they’re wide and round. “This is a friend date, Ford,” her voice is soft. I expect her reminder to sting, but it doesn’t.
Because I’ve noticed the way she glances at me out of the corner of her eye. And it’s not my face she’s looking at. She keeps stealing glances at my chest. My hands. My neck.
I’m not sure I get the last one, but I need to. As long as she keeps looking at me like she’s thinking about taking a bite.
I make a humming sound before challenging her, “We could have shared a box of candy.”
Arden gasps and presses her hand to her chest. “I don’t share my Milk Duds with anyone.” Her eyes roam over me and heat for a moment before she looks away and mutters, “Not even friends.”
