my heart like that. I may have said that kiss meant nothing, but that wasn’t true and I have a sinking suspicion you knew that.” Her scowl didn’t lift as she continued. “I’m not about to let you distract me with your advances. It’s not worth it, I assure you. And I’m not just saying this to protect myself—it’s for you too. Even pretend relationships can—”
“I’m not pretending, Kate,” he ground out. The familiar irritation bloomed in his chest.
Her brows rose along with her eyes. “You’re not?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m not. And frankly, it hurts a little that you’d assume as much.”
“Well—” she dropped her gaze once more.
AJ hooked his finger under her chin and lifted it.
She closed her eyes, shaking her head. “This has to be some kind of trick. Or you’re hiding some kind of ulterior motive.”
“Kate,” he said softly.
She still didn’t open her eyes.
“Kate,” more firmly this time, “look at me.”
Slowly, Kate’s eyes opened. “What?”
“I know we’ve had a rocky start at being adults together. I have no idea where this can go but I know I want to find out. And if you can honestly say you don’t want to know what this is, I’ll walk away right now.”
Her teeth bit down on her lips as her eyes shifted from one of his to the other. “I—I don’t know.”
His heart plummeted. He was too late. AJ’s hand dropped to his side and bounced against his thigh. “You don’t know,” he repeated.
“I’m sorry,” she rasped.
“You don’t have anything to be sorry over, Kate. I get it. I appreciate your honesty about it. This is all on me.”
Kate shook her head and reached out to touch his forearm. “No, it isn’t.”
“But it is.” His eyes flashed. “It’s like Dakota said. I’m not a fool. I could tell you had a crush on me a long time ago and now when I’ve finally realized I want something more. But I’m late to the game. So, it’s all on me.”
He scratched his cheek and moved to the rail beside her. His arms draped over the side. He’d been such a fool. All he’d had to do was notice her a few years earlier and this wouldn’t be a problem. Heck, if he hadn’t been so wrapped up in his own fun who knew where things would be now? Maybe his parents wouldn’t have split the ranch like they had. And just maybe they’d be happy together.
AJ hung his head. “So you have a date tonight.” He shot a quick, unassuming glance at her and noted the redness returning to her cheeks.
“Yeah.”
His jaw tightened. She’d probably been on a few dates with the guy and things were getting serious. It had to be the reason she’d pushed him away. He pounded his fist on the rail.
Kate flinched.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “He better treat you like you deserve, Kate.” Better than he’d treated her for the past few years. That guy had better make her feel like the queen she was.
She turned and assumed the same position as him. Her arms dangled over the side of the banister and she sighed. “Dakota set me up with him. He’s a vet.”
AJ snorted. “Of course he is.”
Kate snickered. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He held out his hand, palm up. “It means, he’s distinguished. He went to school for medical purposes. Probably just your type.”
She snickered again. “You realize this is my first date with him, right? I have no idea what kind of guy he is. He could be balding with a big beer belly that barely fits into his Wrangler jeans. He could be boring and tell lousy jokes.”
A smile touched his lips. “And a unibrow. I’m sure he has a unibrow. Oh, and I’m guessing he has two cats.”
Kate laughed. “What’s wrong with having a cat?”
He smirked as he shook his head. “Single guys don’t have cats. Not the good ones, anyway.”
“Wow. I’m honestly floored. I had no idea you hate cats. That’s a character flaw and then some.” She was barely holding her laughter in.
“A guy might have a cat if his wife wants one. But you have to act like you do it just for her and only tolerate the cat even if you’re crazy about. It’s simple guy code.”
She sniffed and nodded. “Okay. Odd, but okay. The unibrow accusation, though… don’t you think that’s a little too far?”
He shook his head and became serious again. “Nope. And I hope he’s the exact opposite of what you want in