Page 68 of Colt

Beck releases me, then tilts his head toward the handsome bar. “How about something to take the edge off? It’s on the house.”

“You don’t need⁠—”

“You know how this works, Lainey Brown. You so much as reach for your wallet, I’ll never forgive you.” His face splits into a smile. “You gotta know your money’s no good here. C’mon.” He pulls out a cushy barstool. “Colton may suck at hospitality, but I’m kind of the best at it, so…”

I grin. A girl could get used to this kind of treatment. “So…”

“What’s your poison?”

Mutual masturbation in barns.

“I’ll have a whiskey sour, thanks.” I climb onto the stool and he pushes me in. “This place really is beautiful, Beck. You should be so, so proud.”

He grins as he rolls up his sleeves and gets to work making my drink. “Thank you. Nice having a little something that’s just mine, you know? Not like I’m the only one involved here at the restaurant or anything.” He scoops ice into a brass cocktail shaker. “But I needed something separate from the ranch. Especially after calving season wraps up.”

“I imagine this is a great little escape for you.” I glance around the restaurant, noting its sexy, cozy decor. Like a French bistro and a Texas grandmother’s kitchen had an especially stylish love child.

He goes to town shaking up my cocktail, the sound making me almost giddy. I’m tired. And yeah, it’s really nice having someone like Beck to talk to. Share a drink with.

Speaking of, Beck apparently shook up not one but two whiskey sours, because he pours himself one too.

He passes me a cocktail. “Cheers, Lainey. Thanks for not runnin’. We ain’t an easy bunch, but I’d like to think we’ll make it worth your while.”

“Thanks for the drink.” I tap my glass against his and take a sip.

It’s all I can do not to groan. The whiskey sour is perfect. Just the right balance of sweet, sour, and strong, it glides over my tongue way too easily.

“What’s your secret?” I manage. “That’s delicious, Beck. Wow.”

“Maple syrup. Adds dimension to the flavor, right?”

I take another sip. “I love it. Thank you again.” A pause. “Colton and Dean actually took me out for a ride the other morning.”

“They did?” Beck’s eyes shimmer with a knowing gleam. “I’m happy to hear that. Did y’all have fun?”

“We did, yeah. But Colton… He’s so back and forth. Hot and cold. I can’t figure him out.”

Beck raises his brows. “Only with you.”

“What’s that about?”

“I think he likes you. Likes you likes you.”

My stomach drops. “Stop.”

“I mean it.”

“No way. He’s so damn…difficult with me.”

“That’s just him workin’ through some shit. Not an excuse, but it is what it is.”

I have to catch myself—stop from asking if that shit is the Billie and Ryder thing. Colton confided in me, and while we may not see eye to eye, I’m not about to spill his secrets. Although I imagine Beck has to know that Colton and Billie aren’t getting along at the moment.

“If you say so,” I manage.

“I do say so.” Beck grins. Makes me think he digs the idea of Colton and me hitting it off.

I’m flattered. And slightly terrified.