Louboutin to Ariat

~ Chapter 27~

All through dinner, I could feel Cash's gaze on me and many times, I looked up only to meet his intense gaze.

I tried reading his eyes, trying to figure out if what happened outside was my imagination or if he really was going to kiss me.

And if he was, was it an accident or on purpose? And if it was on purpose, what did that mean? Did that mean that -

"Liberty?"

"Hu?" I ask, looking around the table to find everyone's eyes on me.

"Is everything okay honey?" Betty asks with a concerned look on her face.

"Oh! No, everything is fine. Sorry, I just got lost in my thoughts." I explain, looking down at my plate. "The food is delicious, by the way." I add.

"Thank you! It was my grandmother's recipe." Betty smiles.

"Well, its great." I say right before Til launches into a very descriptive recap of what he did today.

Looking up, I find Cash's eyes on me again but this time, they were shining with laughter. He knew. He knew what I was thinking about! That bastard!

I give him a glare and go back to eating my dinner.

**********

"Do you have to leave?" Tate asks, holding my hand as Cash walks me to the door.

"I'm afraid so." I look down at the little boy that is making me sad to have to leave.

"But we didn't even get to play!" He pouts as we reach the door.

"I'll come back some other day and we can play." I bite my lip after the words tumble out.

His eyes light up, "Really? When? Can you come tomorrow?"

I smile at him, despite my huge mouth.

"Probably not tomorrow but sometime soon." I promise.

He sadly nods, "Okay. Can I give you a hug?" He asks.

"Of course!" I reply as I squat down. He immediately throws his arms around my neck and I have to shift my feet to keep from falling.

"Good bye Tate. I'll see you later." I say, ready to stand up.

When he doesn't let go, Cash pats him on the back, "Come on buddy. She needs to head home and you need to take your shower."

Tate sighs but drops his arms, "Bye Liberty."

"Bye Tate." I give him a small wave as he pouts and walks upstairs, calling Choc to follow him up.

"Sorry about that." Cash apologizes, opening the door.

"Don't be. He's adorable and I thought it was super sweet."

"You know, you're the first person he's done that to besides me or my mom." Cash leans against my car.

I turn to him, surprised, "He's never done that to like anyone else? Like none of your friends or cousins or - ."

Cash shakes his head, cutting me off, "He's actually quiet around strangers. When I first brought my friends over, he hardly said anything." He pauses before meeting my eyes, "He really took a liking to you."

I swallow hard, trying to wet my suddenly dry throat.

"Guess its that New York charm." I tease, not breaking eye contact.

I watch an emotion that I can't place pass through his eyes before he smirks, "Must be."

For a moment neither of us say anything.