Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

We both laughed. “How are you doing, Corina?” he asked, more seriously.

Leaning against the kitchen counter, I sighed. “I’m okay.”

“He’s just afraid. You know that, right?”

I squeezed my eyes for a quick second and tried to push Mitchell out of my mind.

“What is he afraid of, Tripp?” I asked. Some might think it was weird for me to talk to my ex-boyfriend about his brother, whom I’d had a one-night stand with. But even if he wasn’t the right man for me, Tripp was surprisingly easy to talk to.

“Mitchell is afraid of commitment. The same thing most guys are scared shitless of.”

I smiled. “Are you?”

His silence was my answer.

“Maybe if the right girl came along, but she’s long gone.”

My heart ached for Tripp. He’d told me about his high school love, Harley, one night when we both decided to be honest. I was head over heels for his brother, and he was in love with a woman who’d left Oak Springs to follow her dreams.

“You never know, Tripp. I heard the town vet is retiring soon.”

Tripp let out a long sigh. “I’m perfectly fine with the way my life is. Besides, with me looking to run for mayor, the last thing I need is woman drama.”

“Hey!”

“You going out with the girls tonight?” he asked, changing the subject.

“I am. You gonna be there?”

“I’ll probably show up later. I’ve got a case I’m working on, and I need to get with Mitchell on some things.”

“Is it a criminal case?”

“Yeah, that’s all I can tell you though.”

“That’s okay, I get it. Listen, I’m going to get ready to head out tonight. Mrs. Johnson had me making roasted garlic, and I swear I won’t get the smell off of my hands for months.”

Tripp chuckled. “Wait, the whole reason I called. Are you driving with the donut tire on your car?”

“Yes, I’ll take it to the shop tomorrow and have them put a new one on. Amelia’s picking me up.”

“The less you drive on that small tire, the better.”

I grinned. “Yes, Dad.”

“Ha ha. Later, kid.”

“Later, Tripp.”

I hit End and stared at my phone. A part of me wished things had worked out between Tripp and me—but it never could. We made better friends than anything. Heck, we’d never even made it past third base. Tripp had held back because of Mitch. So had I.

My cat chose that moment to come over and nudge my ankle. “Hey, buddy,” I said, bending down. “Are you my favorite big boy?”

“Meow.”

I hugged Milo close. He was a rescue cat, mostly white with a little bit of orange sprinkled in. His blue eyes reminded me of Mitchell’s. It was the reason I’d stopped at his cage. Then he meowed, and I was lost to him.

I giggled. “What would Mitchell think if he knew I picked you because your eyes reminded me of him?”

Milo purred.

Heading up the stairs, I set Milo down and made my way into my bedroom. The crackling sound started again. This time it was louder. I would have to tell Tripp about it tomorrow.

My phone rang and Amelia’s name popped up on the screen. I answered quickly. “Hey, what’s up?”

“You’re going, right?”

Laughing, I said, “Yes! I’m not backing out. I need a night out.”

“Good! Dress sexy.”

Rolling my eyes, I headed to my closet. “Why do you want me to dress sexy?”

“’Cause I happen to know a certain brother of mine will be there. I just heard Wade talking to Mitchell.”

I chewed on my lip. “Sexy, huh?”

“Yes! It’s time my brother opens his damn eyes.”

I scanned my closet and stopped on the outfit I knew I was going to wear. “I think I found the perfect thing.”

“It’d better show skin!”

Laughing, I pulled out the dress Amelia had talked me into buying a few weeks back. “Oh, it does.” The red form-fitting dress wasn’t something I wouldn’t have purchased normally, but Amelia wouldn’t stop going on about it. I pretty much bought it to shut her up. Or maybe it was because it pushed my boobs up and made them look even bigger, and the open back made me feel sexy.

“See you soon,” Amelia said.

Hitting End, I spun around to find Milo sitting on my bed and giving me the evil eye.

“Sorry, Milo, but I refuse to be an old cat lady. Tonight I’m going to give Mr. Parker a run for his money.”

The bass rattled against my chest as I danced with Amelia, Paxton, and Jenn. It was Paxton’s first night out since the baby, and we were celebrating Amelia’s surprise wedding. It was honestly the last place I wanted to be, but the thought of running into Mitchell outweighed my desire to stay in bed with a pint of ice cream and a good movie.

“It feels so good to be able to dance again!” Paxton yelled over the music.