They both looked at her. “No,” they said in unison.
“It was my idea,” she said, looking at Dalton from beneath her lashes.
“Thank you,” he said. “But I’m not going to have you buying me a drink. Your brother can do it. Especially since he’s involved in politics now.”
“Only by extension,” he said.
Jessie’s online announcement had gone viral locally, and it was the talk of his family all day, along with Flynn’s involvement. He’d been transparent about the fact that he was going to be seen withJessie as a show of solidarity, demonstrating that even someone who shared DNA with Danielle had more faith in her opponent.
And also to create more buzz around the whole thing.
They were still … getting used to the idea.
“If you can’t make campaign promises directly to me, why should I vote for Jessie Jane Hancock?” Dalton asked.
“Would you vote for Danielle?” Cassidy asked seriously.
“Well, no. And I didn’t the first time she ran either. Because I have loyalty.”
“I appreciate your loyalty,” Flynn said. “I didn’t vote for her either.”
“Neither did I,” Cassidy said. “And I never would.”
“Well, thank you. I do appreciate the loyalty.”
“I do think it’s insane that your …”
Cassidy trailed off and looked behind Flynn.
Flynn turned and saw Jessie walk through the bar in her characteristic tight tank top, though she had a flannel shirt thrown over it. Her jeans looked like they had been painted onto her curves, and she had the ready smile on her face that she often wore when she was about to run a bit of gambling on one of the fights.
But notably, West walked in behind her.
He also frequented The Watering Hole, though not as often as his sister. But when he did, all eyes turned to look at him. Flynn watched as his sister’s eyes moved up and down over the imposing figure that was West. A strange, sort of hollow look appeared in her eyes. He really had no idea what he was looking at, but it was definitely something. Cassidy’s response to West was not neutral, not in any way.
“You good?” he asked.
“Fine,” she said, her voice sounding scratchy. “But your girlfriend is here.”
“Yeah. I see that. Thank you.”
“Your girlfriend,” Dalton repeated, shaking his head. “Ludicrous.”
Flynn didn’t mention that Jessie was aiming for fake fiancée in the coming weeks.
“Is it?” he asked.
“Yes. You’ve never had a real girlfriend to speak of.”
“Neither have you,” said Cassidy. “You are two of the most commitment-phobic men around these parts. Especially now that Austin is married.”
“What about West?” Dalton said. “I’ve never heard of him having a relationship.”
“I wouldn’t know anything about West,” Cassidy said.
“Ah, right, he’s from theotherside of the other side of the tracks,” Flynn said. “The Wilders don’t have anything to do with the Hancocks.”
“You do always act like that,” Cassidy said. “Which is the real reason this is weird. But hey, I totally get doing it to spite the LeFevres. I hate them.”
