Page 61 of Wilde Ride

“Really? Are we going to do this?”

I folded my arms over my chest, stubborn to the end. “Apparently, we are, because I have no idea what you’re talking about, Caden.”

“You like him. I’ve always known you do.”

For some silly reason, tears stung the back of my eyes.

As if my brother could sense I was about to lose it, he reached across the desk and held out a hand.

Placing mine in his, I sighed. “It would never work.”

Frowning, he asked, “Why not?”

“Oh, let’s see. For one, he thinks I’m too young. Second, he told me he has no interest in dating. And three, I’m your sister.”

“Why does you being my sister matter?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Isn’t there some kind of code? Like sisters are off limits or something?”

Caden laughed. “If there is, I don’t know about it. Emeline, the only thing I want is for you to be happy. As long as the guy treats you like you deserve, I’m not going to sit here and tell you who you can and cannot date.”

I smiled, but it faded slowly. “I appreciate that, but it doesn’t change the fact that Levi isn’t interested in dating anyone, least of all me.”

He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “You didn’t see the way he was glaring at Luke when we left the bar Friday night.”

A little bubble of hope welled up inside me. “He was not.”

“Even Gatlin and Ensley noticed. She said Levi was asking about Luke.”

I frowned. “Really?”

He nodded. “Listen, I don’t know if Levi is ready to start dating, but I do know for a fact that he’s not heartbroken over Caroline. I think his healing has more to do with Brooke and starting over in River Falls with Rhett. I know I don’t have a great track record, but would you care for some advice from me anyway?”

“Yes, please,” I said, as I leaned forward in anticipation.

“Give him time, be his friend, and don’t try to hide what you’re feeling.”

My eyes went wide. “You want me to tell him I have feelings for him?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. But don’t be afraid to show them.”

I felt my face screw up in confusion. “That doesn’t make any sense. You’re saying…flirt with him?”

“No. I mean, a little flirting wouldn’t hurt. I’m just saying, don’t be afraid to show your feelings, Emeline.”

I sighed. “I don’t know if I can do that. What if he only looks at me as a friend?”

Caden stood. “Like I said, I’m not the best when it comes to stuff like this.”

Standing as well, I replied, “I saw how you treated Rachel. You are good at stuff like this. You were just with the wrong person, that’s all. Speaking of—what in the world was that with you and Lilibeth on the dance floor? I haven’t seen you dance like that in so long!”

He rolled his eyes. “The only reason I danced with her was to shut her up. My God, that girl is so…peppy. Is she always like that?”

“Happy? Positive? Caring? Yes, she is. And she’ll be helping me with the summer camps.”

“As long as she stays away from my side of the ranch.”

With a frown, I asked, “What do you have against Lilibeth?”