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"Because I know a woman who gets hangry."

Her eyes widened. "I do not get hangry."

I raised an eyebrow.

She snatched the bar from my hand. "You're annoying."

"And yet you keep me around."

"Contractual obligation."

"Romantic."

She took a bite and smiled. A small smile. But it was mine.

At least for that moment.

When she finished, she crumpled up the wrapper in her hand. "Damon?"

"Yes, beautiful?"

"Thank you for today."

"Somebody had to save the wedding from Biscuit's criminal tendencies."

She laughed. And there was that damn feeling in my chest again.

"Mikayla!" Julissa called. "Can you come here?"

I grinned. "Go save the world, Wonder Woman."

"Don't call me that."

I saluted her. "Yes, ma'am."

She made it two steps before she turned, looking over her shoulder. "Hey."

"Yeah?" I asked.

Her gaze held mine. "Don't disappear."

Two words. Simple. But coming from Mikayla Parsons, they hit me like a two-by-four.

"Not going anywhere, sweetheart."

I watched her walk away. Again. I was heading toward the barn when a voice stopped me.

"Lockhart."

It was Kenny. Because apparently I'd been enjoying myself too much.

"Got a minute?" he asked.

"Depends. Are you selling something? I've already got life insurance, and I'm not interested in a timeshare."

“Funny.” He smirked. "I wanted to talk about Mikayla."

"I don't." I shut him down.