Page 14 of Riding the Line (Willow Ridge #2)

The list starts running through my mind again, each line making the roiling in my stomach more intense.

The image of some random guy’s hands running over her tanned skin flashes into my mind and the lime I’m cutting goes flying across the bar as I press the knife into it too harshly.

Everyone shoots me a look, and I try to laugh it off.

It’s not that I’m jealous. Obviously. It’s just – I’m not sure that seems safe. What if the guys she chooses don’t treat her well? Wyatt would be angry if he knew.

‘Oh, but no man for you, Montana?’ Sawyer adjusts his jacket and gives it a brush down, all the while keeping a cocky smirk plastered across his face.

I’m grateful for the distraction even if it does make me roll my eyes at my friend.

‘Got your sights set on a handsome, champion bull rider instead?’

‘Oh, Sawyer, you wish.’ Montana flicks her chestnut hair behind her shoulders. ‘I’m actually seeing someone. Besides, Cherry made me pinky promise years ago I wouldn’t sleep with you, and, as much as it pains me, I do have to honour that.’

Sawyer’s jaw drops, and he covers his heart with a hand, feigning some sort of wound. ‘Cherry, I can’t believe you’d do that to me. You know how much I love brunettes as well.’

I snort, wondering how my friend gets away with some of the things he says sometimes.

Cherry full on groans, ‘You’re actually an idiot.’

Sawyer just sighs at Cherry. ‘Well, it’s on your conscience that she’ll be missing out on the best night of her life.’

Montana giggles, fluttering her lashes at Sawyer while he shoots her a wink. Cherry turns to throw me a helpless, wide-eyed look that almost begs, save me. It’s a struggle to keep my smile from unfurling.

Get a room, am I right? I mouth.

She rolls her lips together, tempering her responding smile. Her eyes brighten with the laughter she’s holding back – but I know the melodic sound so well, it still rings in my mind. And it really makes me want to make things up to her.

‘What do you, um, say to skipping all the cleaning tonight, just doing the basics to close up, and getting off early?’ I ask Cherry over my shoulder as I finish locking up the front door of the bar now we’re finally closed for the night.

The plan to fashion the perfect small moment for Cherry while showing her I’m serious about this bucket list finally finishes formulating in my head.

One that can maybe also keep her distracted from the second half of that list. If she’s busy ticking all these big and small moments off with a friend, maybe she won’t be too worried about the second half.

You know, for Wyatt’s sake – what kind of friend would I be otherwise?

Protecting Cherry from any idiots is the least I can do for the family that protected me growing up.

Cherry furrows her brow as she collects up the last empty glasses from one of the booths.

‘Close early? I mean, obviously I’m down to go home early.

’ She pauses for a second to lift the piled-up tray, then carefully begins heading for the bar.

Her next question comes out more lightly. ‘Why, have you got plans?’

‘Uh …’ I lean back against the door, taking advantage of the few seconds when her back is turned to me to take another deep breath. ‘No, well, yes.’ Eloquently put, Duke. ‘I was hoping with you.’

The tray lands on the bar with a bang before some of the glasses topple over and Cherry scrambles to pick them back up, cursing under her breath.

For a waitress at a bar, she sure is clumsy.

Just like that time she knocked over a whole tray of drinks because one of Sawyer’s bull-riding friends winked at her.

Once she’s got the glasses stabilised, she quickly pushes out an apologetic smile.

‘Oh, um, really? How come?’ she asks, running her teeth along her bottom lip, the cherry-red stain faded now after hours of talking and working. And biting her lip, she’s always biting her goddamn lip.

I rub the back of my neck, staying put by the door. ‘I just thought since we ticked one thing off your bucket list, then it was my turn to show you a small, slow moment.’

‘Oh.’ Cherry’s shoulders immediately drop and a soft curve graces her lips. ‘I suppose it’s only fair.’

‘Exactly.’ I nod. Releasing the breath I’d been holding, I finally let myself walk over towards the bar, relief sweeping through me at the speed of her agreement.

At the prospect of getting to spend a little more time with her tonight.

Usually after closing time, it’s back to my dark apartment, where I’m left with my thoughts.

She hovers by the bar. ‘Can we still do our closing time argument on the drive over? I had a really good one for tonight.’

‘Anything you want, Baby Hensley.’ I take a chance and push myself closer to her, leaning an elbow on the bar top, as opposed to heading to the opposite end like usual.

Her brown eyes watch the movement, trailing gradually back up my arm.

My heart races suddenly being under her scrutiny, and I start to question whether I’m about to throw myself into a bucket load of trouble.