He nods once.
I nod back.
Ranch diplomacy complete.
Silas spots me next and grins as if he’s been waiting for entertainment. “Hey, bartender. You here to supervise our pastry intake? Come and sit with us already.”
Yeah, I guess I do seem to be supervising. Which, really, I am.
“Okay, okay, I’ll sit,” I reply, sliding into the empty chair next to Aurora. “But yes. You look like someone who would emotionally manipulate a scone.”
Caleb mutters, “He absolutely would.”
Aurora's smile shifts when she sees I’ve taken the seat beside her. It softens, just slightly, but she’s not even aware she’s doing it.
Delaney watches us as if she’s midway through a very satisfying book. “So, this is cute…”
“It’s notcute,” I protest.
“It’s deeply cute,” Silas corrects. “You’ve got concerned golden retriever energy.”
I stare at him. “You own three belt buckles with your initials engraved on them.”
“They’re tasteful,” he says without shame.
Caleb doesn’t even look up from his coffee. “They’re not.”
Aurora chokes on her coffee. Lani laughs out loud.
Silas leans forward, delighted. “We’ve been taking bets.”
Aurora’s eyes light up. “On what?”
“On how long before Finn admits he’s smitten?”
I nearly inhale my coffee. “I am not smitten.”
Boone raises a brow. “Youclearlyadore Aurora.”
Caleb adds, “You scan the room like she’s a VIP.”
Lani chimes in, “You switched to oat milk because she said dairy makes her tired.”
I glare at the entire town. “That was a health-based decision.”
Aurora’s cheeks pink slightly, but she’s smiling. “You changed your coffee order?”
“It was experimental,” I say quickly. “I contain multitudes.”
Silas rests his chin on his hand. “You contain feelings.”
“Stop talking.”
Delaney just smiles softly at Aurora. “He’s harmless.”
“Debatable,” Caleb mutters.
Boone’s gaze remains on Aurora. “You’re good for this place.”
