Page 81 of Reins

I’m not even angry.

Just humiliated.

I can see the difference like a neon sign. She’s loud, outgoing, and is probably a lot of fun to be with.

Me? I flinch at every noise and want to crawl in the closest corner to hide. I really am stupid. I took his help and thought it was more than kindness.

I trusted him with all of my brutal truth.

“Ros?” His voice blends with all the rest, swirling in a deafening typhoon.

“Rosalyn.” His tone drops into that vein of command that something in me leaps to obey, making me look up.

“This is Daphne’s husband, Gil.” Cade’s jaw is clenched and he speaks through his teeth. “Gil was part of the very first case I worked when I moved to Texas.”

Gil’s smile extends past his round cheeks and somehow the wrinkles go all the way up to his bald head. “Any friend of Cade’s is a friend of mine.” His hand swallows mine in a robust shake that almost dislocates my elbow. “When you’re here with him, your tab is always covered.” He drops an exaggerated wink before turning away.

Once we’re alone, Cade leans close enough that the brim of his cowboy hat nearly touches my forehead. “Ros? What was that?” he whispers.

“I’m dumb,” I mumble.

“No,” he snaps. “I know better.” His warm irises fade into the black pools of his pupils. “Help me to understand. We can leave if you’re uncomfortable.”

My chin threatens to tremble making me dig my nails deeper to stave it off. “I misunderstood,” I stammer, barely able to squeak out the words. “It won’t happen again.”

His nostrils flare subtly, then he leans back as Daphne appears with a tall icy glass and a short one with a cube.

“Dr. Pepper and a whiskey sour. Y’all ready to order?” She blinks those big lashes at both of us, then cocks her hip with her notepad ready.

“We need a few minutes.” Cade’s gaze burns into me, unwavering in their intensity.

She drops the pad into her oversized pocket. “Sure thing, doll. I’ll be back in two shakes of a hound dog’s tail.”

I can’t keep myself from following her with my eyes. She touches everyone’s shoulders, their arms, leans on the post next to their tables, all while dropping nicknames in a flirty banter.

And yet Cade watches only me.

Guilt makes me want to crawl under the table.

Why does this hurt so much? My chest aches with a betrayal that doesn’t exist. An entire scenario of jealousy over what?

Hun?

“Are you ready?” he asks softly. The way his head is tilted, I can’t see his eyes.

All I can do is nod.

He isn’t mine. But I’m his.

“So, y’all decide?” Daphne pops back over with her broad smile.

“I’ll just have the chicken sandwich and fries, please.” My finger sits just under the listing so I don’t forget until she plucks the sheet away.

“Same. To-go, Daph?” Cade hands his menu over and I can finally see the pain etching his features.

Shit. I really ruined dinner.

When our clunky styrofoam boxes arrive already tied in a plastic bag, Cade throws enough cash down to cover our whole meal and then some.