A shy smile finally settled on her face. “You’ve really never brought anyone here?”
“You and Tara. That’s it.” Something she’d said crept back to the forefront of his mind. “What did you mean, it pained you when you saw me leave the bar?”
Now it was her time to squirm. A light blush spread over her cheeks, but she held his gaze. “Watching you flirt sucks. When you come into the bar, it always makes my day better. My night more enjoyable. But when other women set their sights on you and you’d give them that handsome smile or some witty banter, it’s like a knife in the heart.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” He had his own reasons for not giving in to his feelings for Eve. Reasons that grew more and more insignificant with each minute he spent with her. He’d never considered she had her reservations about considering arelationship with him. He’d always figured she preferred to keep their friendship as it was because she didn’t look at him as anything more than that.
“I value your friendship. I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize it. And besides, I work long hours and most guys aren’t a fan of that. I’ve tried it before, and it doesn’t work.”
The way her focus shifted back to her coffee made him guess she wasn’t being completely transparent. “Is that it? You don’t want to risk our friendship?”
“I don’t think I could go back to the way things were, and it scares me to death.”
He tucked his thumb under her chin and gently shifted her to face him. “Does it make you feel better to know I’m scared, too?”
“Not really.”
He barked out a laugh. “Listen, we can both be scared and unsure of what the future holds. But just know this, you are not one of many. You’re the only one I’ve been looking at for a long while, and it’s about damn time we see if this thing between us could work.”
“Are you sure you won’t get sick of me?” she asked. “Maybe it’s the danger we’re running from that’s exciting you.”
“Honey, trust me. As far as I’m considered, you’re downright dangerous.” He placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Now, how about that breakfast?”
“I say you better get cooking. I’m starving.” She grinned up at him, and all the tension in the room evaporated. “What’s the plan after we eat?”
Making his way to the stove, he gathered everything he needed to start breakfast. He settled two frying pans on the burners and cracked eggs into a bowl. “Scrambled okay?”
She nodded.
“We should talk to Deputy Silver and Deputy Hill. Last night we were exhausted, so I didn’t ask many questions about whatthey’ve uncovered about Tyson Brown. I want to know if they have any more information that could be beneficial.” He found a whisk in a drawer and beat the eggs, adding milk and a little shredded mozzarella before pouring the mixture into a pan.
“Do you think anyone else working the rodeo circuit knows this guy? If so, they might have an idea where he’s hiding.” Eve sipped her coffee, her eyes following along with his every motion.
“Another question for the deputies. I’ll ask Madden as well. He’s been out there the last couple of days.”
She winced. “That’s right. I forgot you’re supposed to be helping with guarding things while the events are underway.”
He waved off her comment with his spatula. “You’re my priority. Sticking close and keeping you safe is all that matters. Besides, Dax and Ben are lending a hand. They should have things covered.” An image of Eve spinning around the dance floor sprang into his mind, and he tightened his grip on the utensil. “Of course, I’ve had my share of problems with Ben’s hands and where they’ve been.”
Laughing, Eve shook her head. “A girl dances with one handsome stranger and it causes all sorts of drama.”
“You think he’s handsome, huh?”
She rolled her eyes. “Stop. I came home with you, didn’t I?”
“And don’t you forget it.” He grinned, enjoying having her in his kitchen.
“I’m working the lunch shift today. Things will still be busy, and I don’t want to leave my staff shorthanded. Will that be a problem?”
“Not at all.” He stirred the eggs then laid strips of bacon on the larger of the two pans. “Once you taste my cookin’, you might want to put me to work in the kitchen today instead of sticking me behind the bar.”
The door swung open, and Tara bounced inside. “I’m back! Man, I love this town. The shops are so cute, and I can’t wait to explore them all. Everyone is so nice, and if the rest of the food is as good as what I had at Tilly’s last night and the pastry I had this morning, I better find a gym to join.”
He had a hard time keeping up with the rapid-fire words coming out of his sister’s mouth, but her happiness practically oozed from her pores. “You plan on staying awhile then?”
She slipped out of her shoes and carried her haul to the island. She set down a white paper bag and a bundle of flowers wrapped in brown paper. Heaving out a large puff of air, she anchored a fist on her hip and grinned. “I’m thinking about it.”
“I love that,” Eve said. “And I see you stopped by Sweet Stems. Don’t they have the best selection? It’s one of my favorite spots in town. The owner even keeps jars full of fresh flowers in the cutest stand by her house.”
