Finding Him (Him Series Book 2)

17-The Kiss

Feeling his eyes on me, I lifted my chin and met Hunter's piercing blue gaze. "Think they'll be back?"

"Doubtful."

"I'm sorry." It seemed the appropriate thing to say.

"I'm not." Hunter pulled out his wallet and withdrew a twenty-dollar bill and took my hand as a waiter in a tuxedo was heading our way. Just before he set the money he looked all of the sudden uncertain. "Do you want to stay here?"

I didn't hesitate. "No."

He dropped the money and we left, stopping briefly to offer an apology to the hostess who stared at Hunter like she wished she was the one leaving with him.

"Should we check on them?" I asked once we were outside.

"Troy sent a text. He's taking Renee home." He glanced down, studying me. "I'm sorry."

I still couldn't believe this—our dates and my reaction. Relief and anticipation. The former was because I didn't have to pretend to be interested in anyone but Hunter, and the latter because I sensed something in the way he was looking at me that left me breathless.

"You said you weren't sorry."

"I don't like to see you upset," he said quietly, lightly nudging his shoulder against mine.

"What're the odds?" I whispered, since screaming I only want you seemed a bit much. "One day this will be a wildly entertaining story."

His slow smile made my stomach dip. "Because of us, they're talking again. We're not bad at this matchmaking business."

"Hunter, our dates are going home with each other. Not us."

He chuckled.

We stood on the sidewalk beneath the starlit sky, staring at each other.

Swallowing hard, I spoke. "You don't have to pretend. I hope you're not too disappointed."

"Same. I know you were into this."

"You weren't?" My eyes widened.

"No."

"Of course," I laughed. "You need no help finding dates. The hostess would love to go out with you." I hooked my thumb in the direction of the restaurant. "I can go talk to her for you."

Surprise and something else glinted in his eyes. "I was hoping to take you out to dinner." He let out a low breath. "Or I can take you home. It's up to you."

The way he appeared unsure of my answer softened my heart like warm melted butter. "Yes. I, uh, I thought since we left you were done with dinner."

His brow furrowed. "You wanted to stay here?"

"No. This place isn't my style, but I thought it might be yours and you wanted to leave."

"We can go wherever you want after I make one stop," he said, his hand on the small of my back as he led me to his truck. "I need to check on one of the mounted patrol deputies at the fairgrounds."

Memories flashed back—the smell of popcorn, turkey legs, horses, lights from the carnival rides, and laughter. "Kyle and I snuck out and went to the fairgrounds for the rodeo once when we were kids."

As soon as I said it, I regretted bringing up anything that would make him question my past. Darryl was the last thing I wanted to think about now.

Hunter seemed to realize this because all he said was, "Lucy always loved it."

We fell into a comfortable silence on the short ride. Hunter drove past the general parking and parked in the back with the horse trailers.

"Are we going to get to see the horses?" I asked excitedly, hopping from the truck and taking in the sights.