Cowboy Reality Romance: Kip by Erica Penrod

Author:Erica Penrod [Penrod, Erica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gelato Publishing LLC
Published: 2017-01-01T18:30:00+00:00

9

“I call dibs,” Elle said, and bumped Skyler with her hips. “I get that seat.”

It was the middle of September, the autumn sunset was undetectable in the darkened theater room. Five large, leather recliners made up one row, and there were four layered sections facing the giant screen. The chairs reminded Cassie of first-class airplane seats on steroids. She looked around, ready to see a flight attendant appear with hot towels. Skyler helped Rhett into a chair, and Ryder climbed into another seat opposite Elle. A 1950s ice cream shop style bar with red leather-topped stools lined the back row. The bar was adjacent to a kitchen, complete with modern amenities disguised in antique charm—an unexpected find in a house dominated by western culture.

A popcorn machine stood in the corner, humming while tiny kernels burst into buttery clouds, billowing into a mound behind the glass. Kip ran the soda machine, filling tall glasses of root beer dripping with vanilla ice cream.

“Hurry up,” Skyler hollered to her brother. “It’s about to start.”

“I told you,” he said, spilling some of the float down his shirt, “I really don’t want to watch this.” He wiped at the spots. “There’s always DVR, and you can watch it anytime you want, especially when I’m not around.”

“No, we want to see it when it premieres,” Elle said.

“You should see my Instagram,” Skyler said. “All my friends are watching, and I don’t want to be the last to know what happens.”

“I can tell you what happens,” he said, returning to his task.

“No!” the girls shouted.

Cassie laughed and offered a hand, taking two of the glasses from the counter.

“Thanks,” he said. He puffed out a breath, lifting the hair off his forehead. He hadn’t made eye contact with anyone all evening, and he spilled just about as much soda as he poured.

Cassie made it a point not to watch any more of Kip’s television appearances after he disappeared to Texas. The less she thought about him and their almost kiss, the better. Her involuntary reactions to him only led to more aggravation. In his proximity her heart accelerated, making her vulnerable despite her mind stomping on the brakes. After his phone call from Michael Sanders, things had become awkward. The kind of awkward where someone isn’t being completely honest, and it wasn’t her. He hesitated when she asked about his attorney, but the look in his eyes told her what she needed to know—he was one more man she couldn’t trust.

“Can you make the boys’ drinks about half that size?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said. Their eyes met, and he held her gaze longer than necessary. There was something there, something determined and protective; at the same time, he appeared vulnerable.

The combination had her knees melting out from under her. “No problem.” Carrying the glasses, she walked cautiously down the steps, handing each girl a dessert.

“Thanks,” they said in unison.

Kip continued to fill cups, so she sat a couple rows behind the kids. Distracted by the popcorn in their

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