Page 58 of Spurred On

The sound of his name made a shiver dance down her spine. She hadn’t realized the two men knew each other. “None other.”

For some reason, Ben hooted a laugh. “So that’s what that was all about,” he murmured.

“What?”

“At one of our poker games, I knew something weird was going on, that Cody had some bizarre plot afoot. The bottom line is that Logan lost the game and, as a result, had to work at the ranch one weekend.”

Sidney nodded. “That was our plan. But I didn’t care who he picked. Just someone other than Zack.”

“Well, I’m glad it was Logan.” Ben set his hand over hers. “It could have been me, and then you and I would never have had this chance to get to know each other.”

She fluttered her lashes. “Technically, if you and my sister married, we’d probably still meet.”

His expression darkened. His voice went all growly. “You know what I mean.” And he leaned closer. She knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he was going to kiss her.

And he did.

It was soft, sweet, and warm. He tasted wonderful. She tried to force herself to feel something more . . . but she couldn’t.

After a bit, he eased back and studied her. She couldn’t meet his eye.

He tipped up her chin until their gazes met. “Sidney?”

“I’m sorry, Ben. So sorry. I wanted . . .”

“No. No.” He shook his head. “That’s okay. I get it.”

“It’s not you. It’s me.”

He grimaced and said with a laugh, “Please. Not that old chestnut. Anything but that.”

She took his hands in hers, because she really hated this and hoped to make herself clear. The last thing she wanted to do was to make Ben feel uncomfortable or rejected. “I’m serious. It is me. There was this guy I met in high school . . .”

“Let me guess. First love? Can’t seem to shake him?”

“Yeah. That’s about it.” She pulled away and fisted her hands. “It is so annoying. Why can’t I just forget about him?”

Ben nodded. “Sidney, I can relate. I fell in love with a girl in junior high. She broke my heart.”

“But you’ve moved on. Haven’t you?”

He clapped his hand to his chest. “Barely. I still moon over Jenny Smith.”

Liar.

“I can’t imagine anyone throwing you over. You are way too adorable.”

“Ah, thank you. But everyone gets dumped sometime, don’t they?” His grin was crooked, engaging.

“I suppose. It doesn’t make it any easier to get over it though.”

“True. But high school was a long time ago. What is it about this guy that you can’t shake?”

She shrugged. “I have no idea. It has to be some kind of chemical addiction. I get close to him and poof, my self-control evaporates. My mind is clear. He’s not good for me. But I just can’t stay away. Unless I stay away. Literally.”

“Is that why you left Snake Gully?”

She nodded. “It’s also why I can’t go back.”

“But you went back for Hanna’s party—”

“And what a disaster that was.”

Too late, she realized she’d let something important slip. Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Wait. He was at the party?”

Blergh. “Kind of.”

He stilled and stared at her. “It’s not Cade. He would have graduated before you were in high school. And I know it wasn’t Logan. That leaves . . .”

“There were lots of other men at that party,” she said in a panic.

“Umm-hmm.” His grin made her shudder. “But they all came in from Dallas, didn’t they? None of them were local.” He tsked and shook his head. “Oh, Sidney. Don’t tell me you’re in love with Cody.”

“I’m not in love with him. I’m not.”

Clearly, he didn’t believe her, even though it was the truth. It couldn’t be love, because that would be the worst thing ever. He shot her a sympathetic smile, patted her hand, and said, “You have my condolences.”

If only condolences could make it better.