Curvy Girls Can't Date Cowboys - Kelsie Stelting Page 0,8

irritated. “It’s a partner project. I have no intention of doing it for you.”

“You think just ‘cause I’m a cowboy, I’m stupid. Is that it?”

“I have no idea what a cowboy does, since my parents and I have so obviously never stepped foot on a farm.” I batted my eyelashes innocently. “The only thing I know about you is that you’re rude, you don’t talk much, and when you do, it’s annoying.”

With a straight face, he said, “Technically, that’s three things.”

I could have hit him. I should have received an award for my restraint. As it was, I could feel the steam pouring out my ears as he chuckled beside me.

So, he did know how to smile—if only at my expense.

“Fine, I’ll pick,” I said. I was already exhausted, and it was barely a quarter past eight. “A day in the life of a teacher. We can do Mr. Davis.”

“Teacher’s pet,” he retorted.

I pretended not to be upset by his comment. “Fine. How about a student?”

“Because that’s something we don’t do every day.”

I glared at him. “I don’t hear you coming up with any ideas.”

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Look, alls I’m saying is that we should do something different. Unexpected. You want to impress teacher dearest, don’t you?”

From the front of the room, Mr. Davis said, “About a minute left, class. Remember, this is your chance to set the bar for the rest of the semester.”

I clenched my jaw. “Fine. Come up with three ideas by class tomorrow. We’ll pick one then.”

He ripped out a piece of notebook paper and scribbled down a phone number. “In case you want to talk about the project. Or actually learn something about how a ranch works.” He stood and picked up three textbooks in his large hands, then walked out the door just as the bell rang.

Six

I started down the hall and found my friends together, walking toward the lunch line. I fell into step beside them.

Callie smiled over at me. “Did you celebrate UCLA last night?”

I patted my round stomach. “Binged some ice cream, hogged the remote.” I kissed my fingers. “Magnifico.”

Zara laughed. “Sounds way better than my date.”

Jordan nudged her. “Did you have your tiger take a bite out of his pants, Jasmine?”

“I wish I had thought of that,” she said, sending Jordan a teasing smile. “No, he was perfectly bland and boring—aside from being thirty years old and a film director. You think we’d have more to talk about.”

“Thirty?” I said. “Gross.”

Rory shrugged. “Ryde Alexander’s twenty-four, and he’s pretty hot.”

Callie’s mouth dropped open, and she looked around. Probably making sure Rory’s boyfriend hadn’t overheard the comment.

“Beckett has a meeting with Mrs. Bardot,” Rory said with a sly smile. “I’m good for some girl talk.”

Callie laughed.

Zara shook her head. “Trust me, this guy was no Ryde Alexander. Now, if my dad set me up with him...”

“You’d have to deal with his sister,” I finished.

Her expression fell. “So true. He’s probably just as bad as she is.”

Callie looked around again, and I knew she was looking for Merritt. It would be just my luck that she’d overhear.

“You’re clear,” Callie said.

“Good,” I answered, stopping at the end of the line.

“So,” Jordan said, lowering her voice, “what’s the deal with Ray? I thought you’d be happy to partner with him.”

Callie raised her eyebrows. “You got partnered with the cowboy!”

I gave them a frustrated look under my lashes. “Unfortunately.”

Each of my friends seemed confused.

“That bad?” Jordan asked. “What happened?”

I told them about his issue with my family’s store and then let out a frustrated sigh. “He’s just so...”

“Handsome?” A low voice hummed behind me.

I turned and had to look up to get a full take on Ray’s face. My cheeks immediately heated. So much for keeping my foot out of my mouth.

“Hi, Ray,” Jordan said, saving me.

“Hi, Jordan,” he replied warmly, turning on all of his charm that I’d never seen. That just frustrated me more. He could be polite; he just chose not to when it came to me.

“Having a good week?” she asked him, carefully looking between the two of us.

He dropped a heavy, muscled arm around my shoulders. “Better than our gal here.”

I shrugged out from under his arm. “Getting worse by the second.” I stepped ahead of them, even though I was still right next to him in line. I would take any distance away from him I could get.

We finally reached the front of the line, and I hurriedly asked the server for the hEAlthy special. He