Page 16 of Riding the Line (Willow Ridge #2)

Duke

Cherry looks bored. She’s looked that way for the past five speed-dates she’s been on, and the drawing I’ve been sketching of her on this napkin only reflects that back to me.

There’s a smile playing on her red lips, yes, but it’s barely there.

And her eyes keep wandering – to the drink she’s barely touched in front of her, to the other dates going on beside her, to the bar where I’m working.

She idly plays with a lock of her hair, coloured light from all the neon signs cascading off the shiny strands as she twirls it around one finger.

She nods and listens, adding the occasional input to whatever conversation she’s having.

I try to pull my attention away and unclench my unexpectedly tight jaw as I screw up the napkin and throw it in the trash behind me.

It’s not like I’m qualified to assume I can decipher Cherry’s mood easily anyway.

But all I can think about right now is that she doesn’t look happy .

Not like the bright-eyed, red lips pulled into a soft smile Cherry I’ve grown accustomed to when she’s working at the bar. When she’s with me.

I’m jolted back to reality when Montana rings her bell to signal it’s the end of the date.

Though, as Montana then announces to the group, it’s halfway through the night, meaning it’s time for a drink break as opposed to making the guys move on to the next table.

It also means the bar is about to get very crowded, which is a needed distraction.

I’ve got to give it to Montana and Cherry, though – as much as I bemoaned the idea of hosting this speed-dating event, it’s gone better than I expected.

Everything has run smoothly, no hiccups in sight with Montana handling the logistics like a pro, so that Cherry can focus on her dates.

Given the small timeframe they had to pull this together, the turnout is much larger than I expected too – with a few familiar faces like two of Wyatt’s ranch hands, Flynn and Josh.

And now all those singles are flocking to the bar with their wallets, so I can’t really complain.

Jeb – my number two who’s worked here since before I took over from my grandfather and covers me anytime I’m not around – is behind the bar, working through all the orders with me.

Shaking and stirring all kinds of drinks and creating new concoctions of flavours for people to try always gets my creative juices flowing and my mind calming.

Slowly, the crowd at the bar begins to disperse once they’ve been supplied with plenty of alcohol to calm their nerves, and they move off in clusters to mingle with each other amongst the wooden tables and bar stools.

Numbers are already being exchanged, along with hearty laughter and promising smiles.

The last few people grab their drinks, leaving one person left to approach the bar – Cherry.

Maybe it’s just the way the lights are angled in the rafters, but I swear all the light in the room seems to pool around her as she shuffles towards the bar. With a sigh, she leans her arms against the bar as she eyes up the liquor bottles behind me.

Jeb places a hand on my shoulder as he passes behind me. ‘Gonna head out back for a break now the crowd’s died down.’

‘Sure thing, take your time,’ I reply.

‘Can I join him?’ Cherry laughs, moving to rest her chin on her fist as she regards me. She hasn’t ordered a drink yet, but I find myself starting on a cocktail for her.

I reach behind me to grab a bottle of vodka and measure out a small amount, trying to keep my hands busy. ‘Not having a good time?’

Her sigh comes out more like a chuckle, but I don’t miss the disappointment that briefly flashes across her face.

She shrugs, the movement making her silky hair fall over her shoulder.

‘I can’t figure out if I’m terrible with guys, or guys are just terrible,’ she contemplates.

‘Is it normal for a guy to spend the whole three minutes talking about how they should take money away from creative college courses and put it into more useful —’ she uses air quotes for the last two words ‘—degrees after I said I was studying interior design?’

My hands still, something oddly akin to rage flickering in my chest. Jesus, don’t guys know how to treat a woman anymore?

Don’t they realise that Cherry is solely responsible for bringing this bar to life, for designing and decorating a place that not only pulls on the small town charm of Willow Ridge, but blends the retro with the modern, ensuring every patron of mine feels like they belong?

‘No, Cherry. That is not normal. Who the hell said that?’

She waves it off like it’s nothing. ‘Ugh, Dale Callaway. He was a jerk in high school, so I don’t know why I’m surprised.

Oh, but he did soften the blow by making sure to tell me well done for getting hotter since high school.

’ She gives me two sarcastic thumbs up and the snarkiest of smiles, before rolling her eyes and slumping back against the bar.

That makes me snort. Even though thunder rumbles in the back of my mind at the idea someone would disrespect Cherry so brazenly like that, I can’t help but notice the light already shimmering brighter in her eyes by the second since she’s been at the bar with me.

Like someone’s finally added some extra kindling to the fire that was dimming inside of her.

‘Yeah, well,’ I begin, adding the remaining juice and flavourings to the shaker, ‘Dale Callaway only says that shit because he’s trying to make himself feel better after his dad handed his business over to his nephew instead of his incompetent son.’

One plus side of being the local bartender – you learn everyone’s secrets.

Cherry’s lips pop open and she covers her mouth as a laugh squeaks out of her.

I flash her a grin and start shaking up her drink, suddenly revelling in the way she watches me with wonder as I work, the way she’s glowing now, any hint of boredom vanished.

I’m not normally one for theatrics, not in a small town bar like this, but my heart is suddenly beating faster under Cherry’s shining gaze, so I grab a glass with one hand, giving it a small flip in the air, before pouring her cocktail into it from above me.

Her laugh rings out like silver bells, each peal sending a shot of dopamine through me. It’s a high I feel oddly eager to chase.

A quick round of applause snatches our attention away and I realise a few of the singles were watching me make Cherry’s drink, now clapping to appreciate the entertainment, even if the show wasn’t meant for them.

It makes me remember where we are. That this is a speed dating event basically created for Cherry to find someone.

I push out a quick smile of gratitude to the people who clapped, then shove Cherry’s drink in front of her, adding on, ‘Enjoy the rest of your dates, Baby Hensley.’

Maybe I was the one to put that light back in her eyes, but I’ve also stamped it out just as quickly.

I’ve relegated myself to my office to do God knows what, but anything other than watching Cherry on her dates.

After sending her off with her drink to mingle with the others – exactly what she should have been doing, as opposed to hiding out at the bar with me – Cherry’s expression dropped and stayed like that as she sat down for her next round of dates.

If I thought she looked bored before, well …

I wouldn’t want to be the guy sat opposite her now.

I’ve just about tidied everything up in here that I can, the monotonous activity of cleaning and sorting out my office helping to calm my thoughts.

Given that I’ve left Jeb behind the bar alone for a while, I should probably head back out to give him some company.

Flickering neon signs greet me as I head back out, and once I reach the bar, I chance a glance at Cherry’s table where she’s now on a date with a guy that I used to play football with at high school – Reid Wells, who’s also the son of Cherry’s family doctor.

He’s a good man – probably one of the only people Wyatt knows in Willow Ridge who he’d be okay with dating his little sister.

Though, if Cherry’s attitude to any of her other dates is anything to go off, she’s likely just as bored with this one.

Except … she’s not.

She’s laughing. Full on giggling like a schoolgirl as she talks with Reid. She’s even biting her goddamn lip. I’ve only ever seen her do that around me.

I grip the edge of the bar tight, counting down the remaining minutes as I watch them, noticing how Cherry hasn’t glanced away once. Every bit of her attention is focused on Reid, wonder sparking in her eyes like it was when she watched me.

The ring of the bell is fucking music to my ears.

Reid brushes his hand over Cherry’s as they say goodbye, my jaw immediately tightening at the sight. Jesus, I need to get a grip.

Opportunity pings in my mind though when I see the next person to sit down with Cherry is Flynn – Wyatt’s ranch hand. I’ve barely even considered the idea before my legs are whisking me over to their table.

‘Hey, man.’ I place my hand on Flynn’s shoulder, and he turns, shooting me a smile. ‘I’m afraid I have strict instructions from Wyatt to make sure none of his ranchers go on a date with Cherry, so how do you fancy swapping? Jeb will teach you how to throw some drinks about.’

It’s a long shot, given that I didn’t intervene when Cherry sat down with Josh for her first date, but Flynn doesn’t even consider that, his face lighting up as soon as I said the word throw .

He’s up and out of his seat with a hell yeah, racing over to the bar.

I watch as he explains the situation to Jeb, who just rolls his eyes at me, but humours the kid, grabbing some shakers.

‘What are you doing?’ Cherry rears back in her seat as I settle into mine, trying to ignore the countless glances that have been thrown our way.

‘Giving you a break. You looked a bit fed up. Can’t I help a friend out?’

She sucks her teeth, eyes narrowing at me. Then, she announces, particularly loudly, as if to make sure Reid hears from the other table, ‘I actually really enjoyed my last date.’

‘That’s good,’ I grit out, a long silence following.

Cherry crosses her arms. ‘Well, if you’re going to interrupt one of my dates, you can at least make conversation. Dale Callaway might have insulted me, but he tried to talk to me.’

My bottom lip drops at her sudden attitude – a side of her I’m not used to. ‘I can do that.’

‘It’ll probably require more than four words.’

‘Wow.’ I smother my laugh, rubbing my hand across my stubble. ‘Clearly ticking these items off your bucket list has done wonders for your confidence already.’

I relish how hard she tries to bite back her emerging smile – bingo , that’s what I’m here for.

Within seconds, her straight shoulders have relaxed, and she leans towards me on the table.

‘I think it’s going to take a lot more than doing a few things to feel stronger, but …

well, I did do a pole dancing class with Montana this week and that made me feel pretty good. So maybe it’s helping a bit.’

Fuck. I really did not need to know that.

Wyatt’s little sister , I remind myself over and over in my head, closing my eyes for a second to push any images out of my mind. I just nod, unsure if I can string any words together.

Oblivious to the effect that has had on me, Cherry continues, ‘But it hasn’t translated into dating yet. Like I said, I’m terrible with guys. I never know what to say or if I do talk I just babble. You know me.’

It makes no sense to me – because how hasn’t she had guys throwing themselves at her when she looks the way she does with those dark, enchanting eyes and cherry-red, heart-shaped lips? When her laugh is a melody I’d happily listen to on repeat?

I furrow my brow. ‘You talk easily to me.’

‘Yeah, well …’ A faint blush rises into Cherry’s cheeks, as she glances down at the table.

The silence that hovers between us when her eyes flick back up to catch mine is electrified.

Her tongue darts out to wet her lips before she admits, ‘This is by far the best date I’ve had all night, anyway. It’s … easy.’

My mouth opens to reply, this isn’t a date , on the tip of my tongue, but nothing comes out. Not when she’s looking at me with hope glistening so intensely in her eyes—

I’m saved by the bell, literally. Montana lets it ring out to signal to switch dates, and there’s suddenly someone hovering beside me.

It’s harder than I’d like to admit to rip my eyes away from Cherry, but I find the strength to get up.

I give her a quick smile and head back to the bar, where I spend the rest of the night watching countless more men enjoy the chance to go on an actual date with Cherry.

A chance I continue to remind myself I’ll never be allowed to have even as I’m lying wide awake in bed at the end of the night.