Page 26 of Unruly

“Maybe I just didn’t want to shoot you.”

He finishes putting the last of the chairs up and looks at me. “Never hesitate if you believe there’s a threat. You fucking shoot, Halle.”

I set the tray down harder than necessary. “Look, if this is about the other night⁠—”

“It’s not. And we don’t have to do the whole awkward replay. You’ve ignored me all week. I get it.”

“No, we do.” I cross my arms, leaning against the bar. “It was a mistake. I was emotional, you were … there and willing. End of story. We aren’t doing this.”

He pauses mid-chair, one eyebrow lifting. “Doing what, exactly?”

“This.” I gesture between us. “Whatever you think is happening. You’re young; I’m not. I just got out of an eight-year marriage that imploded. I’m not looking for a rebound, and even if I was, it’s not going to be with some kid who still thinks life works like a country song.”

Cash sets the chair down slowly. His jaw tics, but he doesn’t look angry. More like…amused? And just like that, I’m pissed off more than I was before.

“I’m not a kid, Halle.”

“You’re younger than me by a decade. Close enough.”

He walks over, stopping on the other side of the bar. Close enough that I can smell his cologne—something woodsy and clean that makes my pulse stupidly skip.

Damn it.

The attraction is there, whether I want to admit it or not. He’s tall, solid, with that quiet confidence that makes my skin feel too warm. His eyes drop to my mouth for half a second before meeting mine again, and heat curls low in my belly.

I hate how much I notice him.

“You kissed me, Halle,” he says, voice low. “I just kissed you back. For a second, anyway, before you hit me.”

“It was a mistake,” I repeat, firmer this time, mostly for myself. “I’m not letting my first stupid decision post-divorce be hooking up with the hot younger guy whose family might as well also be my family. That’s pathetic as hell.”

His mouth curves into a half-smile. “You think I’m hot?”

I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. “Not the point, Cash.”

He chuckles.

I should kick him out. I should tell him to leave again. Instead, I find myself grabbing the broom, sweeping around his boots while he finishes putting the glasses up.

After a few minutes, I ask, “Why are you really staying?”

“Matt shouldn’t have left you. Were you never told the story of the time Aria killed someone in The Bar who was trying to come after my mom?”

I laugh. “I can’t believe you actually believe that. You know that’s just a story they told to scare you boys.”

“This is a small town, Halle, but that doesn’t mean it’s always safe. There are strays that roll in here all the time.”

“I can handle myself.”

“I know you can.” He glances over, serious now. “Doesn’t mean you should have to.”

I focus on pushing dirt into a pile, ignoring the way my chest tightens. Zach never would have done this—never even worried about me walking to my car. He was always too busy, too important. Cash standing here after a slow night, refusing to leave … It feels different and too much to deal with right now. So, I bury it further down.

When I go to take the trash out, he grabs the bag from me and takes it out. He doesn’t push the kiss conversation again, but I feel it humming between us.

Every time his arm brushes mine as he reaches for something, every time our eyes catch across the room … The attraction is mutual. I can see it in the way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention.

I can’t want him.