Hunter watched, wondering if she had any idea how adorable she was—or if she had too much of an idea of it.
Brandon chewed two of the chalky tablets. “Westbrook?”
Hunter jolted out of his thoughts. “Yeah?”
“Next time you plow up my land, I want to be the one who gets the lemon bars.”
Hunter offered him the plate. “You earned them.”
Honey whined from his spot on the ground. He was closer than last time Hunter looked.
“No way!” Zoey dug her fists into her hips. “We had a deal.”
“You know,” Cash cut in, “it’s pretty impressive you could pull this off.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve been negotiating with my seafood supplier. What do you say about stepping in on one of the calls and helping me out?”
“Sure.” Zoey grinned.
For once, it wasn’t Zoey drawing Hunter’s attention; it was Brandon. He stared at his sister as if seeing her for the first time.
Zoey glanced around. “You know what we need to do? Celebrate!” She answered her own question. “Tonight’s the dance in the red barn, right? Live bands and everything. We should all go.”
Cash nodded. “I’ll check with Jo.”
Brandon burped again. “There’s no way I’m getting on the dance floor tonight.” He was still the shade of a pea.
“We’ll miss you.” Zoey started to walk back to her cottage.
“Hold up—there’s no way you’re going alone,” Brandon called after her.
Zoey tipped her head up—as if asking heaven for patience.
Hunter gave Brandon a questioning look.
Brandon briefly closed his eyes. “She has a penchant for starting fights.”
“I do not.” Zoey swung around. “You make it sound like I’m MMA or something.” She heaved a sigh. “I don’t fight. Others fight.”
“Over you,” Brandon clarified.
Hunter’s head went back and forth as the siblings argued, like he was watching a volleyball game. Something furry brushed up against his leg, and he looked down to see Honey sidling against his leg, still begging.
“Cash and Jo will be there—stop worrying.” Zoey replied.
Cash shook his head as he looked at his phone. “Jo has to close up the festival. She’ll be too tired to go dancing. Sorry, Zoey.”
“It’s fine. Hunter will take her,” said Brandon.
“I will?” Hunter asked. He glanced at Zoey. The last time she’d thought he’d done something Brandon asked, it hadn’t ended well for him. He held up his free hand. “Zoey isn’t anyone’s pity date.”
“Who said anything about a date?” asked Brandon. “It’s just dancing.”
Hunter mentally stumbled to get over his verbal blunder. “Yeah. I know.”
Zoey gave him a look that made him feel two feet tall.
