Her smile turned softer then. “I am. I really am.”
Something quiet settled over the table after that. The teasing eased into comfortable conversation again, the kind that wandered from favorite foods to terrible childhood haircuts to which part of the Ranch she’d liked most so far. By the time our drinks were empty, food consumed, and tables had begun to clear around us, none of us seemed in a hurry to move.
But eventually Troy glanced at his watch and sighed. “Cinderella has a curfew, doesn’t she?”
Hope wrinkled her nose. “I do want to get an early start.”
“Then we’d better be gentlemen,” I said, standing and offering her my hand.
She took it without hesitation.
The walk back to her room was relaxed and pleasant. It was quiet now, most people had probably already turned in for the evening, and Hope walked between us, swinging her joined hands just a little like she didn’t even realize she was doing it.
At her door she hesitated, turning to face us.
“I… had a lovely time,” she said, voice soft again.
Troy brushed a strand of flaxen hair back from her cheek. “So did we.”
I watched her for a moment, memorizing the way her bright brown eyes sparkled as she took us in.
She looked at Troy first, almost instinctively. He leaned down and kissed her gently, sweet and unhurried. When he stepped back, she looked dazed in the nicest way.
Then her gaze flicked to me.
“Goodnight, Hope,” I murmured.
She rose on her toes before I could change my mind. The kiss was just as soft, just as careful… but she lingered half a heartbeat longer, like she was trying to get a better taste of me.
When she pulled back, she pressed her hand to her mouth, blushing furiously. “Goodnight.”
We waited until she slipped inside before turning away.
Troy let out a slow breath. “Well.”
“Well,” I echoed.
Well indeed.
Chapter Twelve
Hope
The door clicked shut behind me.
I didn’t move.
For a full five seconds, I just stood there with my back pressed against it, staring at the opposite wall like it might explain what had just happened.
Then I slapped a hand over my mouth.
Oh. My. God.
I had just been walked back to my room by two devastatingly attractive men.
Two.
And they had both kissed me.
