Page 103

“Let me explain what happened.”

“Violence is never the answer!” she hollers over her shoulder, then disappears into the hallway that leads to the bathrooms.

It’s only then do I realize the entire bar is staring at us.

Well, everyone’s staring at me now that Mollie is gone, their gazes bright with curiosity.

“Aw, your first lovers’ quarrel,” Duke says.

I grit my teeth. “You best mind your mouth before I punch you too.”

He gives me a shit-eating grin. “Meant no harm. Just…not like you to, you know, bethatguy.”

“What guy?”

“The one punching other guys over a girl.”

It ain’t like me.

Also ain’t like me to chase what I can’t have.

But that’s exactly what I do as I make a beeline for the bathrooms, ignoring the stares that follow me.

My heart’s going apeshit inside my chest. I don’t know what I’m gonna say or how I’m gonna make this right.

All I know is, Mollie’s been disappointed for the last time.

She’s been hurt by some idiot dickhead for the last fucking time.

CHAPTER 21

Mollie

DIRTY LOOKS

I’m shakingas I push through the bathroom door.

Cash punched Palmer because he upset me.

Not only did Cash punch Palmer. He also knew, somehow, that Palmer hurt my feelings when he flirted with those cute girls in the cowboy hats. Yeah, I don’t want anything serious with him, but it still sucked to see him on the prowl when he’s supposed to be here with me.

Cash was paying attention. Tome. In a bar crowded with pretty women, I was the one he was watching. And when he saw something he didn’t like?—

Well, he took action.

Stepping up to the sink, I look in the mirror and put a hand on my face. I’m bright red, my skin hot to the touch.

Is Palmer okay? Should I call him? Hewasbeing kind of a dick. And he did start the fight, although I’m sure Cash had a hand in egging him on.

Honestly, I feel…relieved that Palmer left. Which means what, exactly?

Pondering the answer, my legs turn to Jell-O. My heart elbows against my breastbone, its urgent jabs making it difficult to breathe.

Holy shit, Cash was watching me. He cares about how I feel. Who I’m with. What doesthatmean?

I have feelings for Cash. No denying that. But I think I might’ve just been presented with incontrovertible evidence that he has feelings for me too.

Cash pays attention to me in a way no one has. Ever.