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She frowned. “Why?”

He moved closer and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The move was so out of character that it caught her off guard. She forgot to breathe and all she could focus on was his calloused fingers tracing down the side of her face. The heat from his touch lingered. She wanted to lean into it and hold tight with both hands. But then she came crashing back to reality when he spoke again.

“Because your eyes are too beautiful not to share with the world.”

Her mouth dropped open and a flush crept up her skin. They were flirtatious. That was how this friendship worked, so why did his statement catch her so completely off guard?

Chet grinned, probably pleased that he’d blindsided her. This was as much a game to him as it was to her these days. It shouldn’t bother her that he was likely only after a rise out of her. But deep down, it did. She hated this disappointment that grew stronger with each day she had to remind herself there’d be no crossing the line with Chet. And probably no dating in general.

At least not for a while.

Slipping her mask back into place, she leaned forward and batted her lashes at him. “These eyes?” She was so close. Her lips were barely inches from his. Lydia had no intention of kissing him, at least not when this started. But when he exhaled and she caught a whiff of his minty breath, all she could think about was him so consumed by desire that he’d grab her face and kiss her senseless.

It took him a minute to answer and when he did it came out almost raw. “Yes.”

“What else would be a shame to hide from the world?” She was poking the bear, but she didn’t care. He’d started it. Lydia walked her fingers up his chest. “My smile?”

“Yes,” he repeated, low and gravelly.

Her brain short-circuited. This wasn’t as fun as she thought it’d be. How he was looking at her unraveled all her intentions. If he kept that up, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to hold back, which was bad news.

“Good news!”

She startled and jumped back. In her periphery, Chet did the same at her brother’s call. Lydia wasn’t sure what, if any of it, Jason had caught. When she met her brother’s eyes, there was nothing blatantly concerning in them.

He looked thrilled. There was a wide smile on his face. He was striding toward them with purpose and outright excitement.

“We landed the client. The one we were talking about.”

For a moment there was utter silence.

Then Chet took off his hat and whooped. Jason laughed. Lydia joined in when Chet wrapped his arms around her and spun her in place. Her hands immediately fell to his shoulders as they celebrated. She wasn’t sure who the client was, only that it was a big deal. For her brother to be reacting this way, there was no other explanation.

Chet placed her back on unsteady legs and turned to Jason just as he started explaining.

“It’s even better than we could’ve hoped. They want us to be their exclusive trainers. All their current horses and any new ones they might get. He said they’ve been having some trouble which might mean he gets rid of one or two. They’re the ones influencing the others. And the pay is going to be phenomenal.”

“When do we start?” Chet asked.

Lydia stood back, gleeful, as two of her favorite people discussed the future of the horse training business. The fact that they couldn’t contain their excitement only added to her own joy. They deserved this win after all the hard work they’d been putting in.

Every so often, Chet glanced her way. Was he making sure she didn’t slip off? And why did that thought stir the warmth inside her that rose to the surface whenever he was around? She bottled that reaction up tight and buried it deep. Her head and her heart needed to get on the same page and fast. She wasn’t going to let this newfound curiosity get the better of her. She was stronger than that.

“Well?” Chet asked.

Her eyes focused on him again before darting to Jason and back. “Well, what?”

“Chet said he was willing to help at the art fair. He wants to know when he needs to be there,” her brother spoke up before Chet did.

Shoot, she’d gotten distracted again. These two were going to think she was losing it. A blush filled her cheeks as she looked once again to Chet. “Um, sure.”

“The time, Lydia,” Jason prompted.

Her face grew even hotter. “I’ll text you. After I get more information at the meeting.” Lydia gestured over her shoulder. “And actually, if it’s okay, I think I’ll skip out on today. Make it up later? I need to make a few phone calls.” She avoided looking at her brother. If anyone would be able to read her it was him. He’d work out that there was more to it, and he’d push her for information. The last thing she wanted was a confrontation with an older brother who may or may not approve of her little crush. The embarrassment alone was enough to avoid that conversation altogether.

Chet nodded. “Yeah, that’s fine. We can pick up again after this weekend.”

“Thanks.” She gave him a quick hug, more out of habit than anything else and made sure not to linger. Then she hurried off toward her truck. She only allowed herself to glance back toward Chet once she was behind the wheel. Chet looked up before she pulled away and lifted his hand. She’d meant to text him once she had the details. Now she was working out how soon she could find an excuse.