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“I’e I should’ve been on the roster for the Upton Rodeo in the first place Besides, the Pine Haven Rodeo is sirls and cowboys who paid money to compete in it didn’t think it was set to be a rodeo snob, Tell?”

“Don’t you talk to ia “Who’d you get to fill in as a judge on such short notice?”

“Deck Veldeka to melt her face

“So because Tell backed out, you—”

“Had to beg my ex-husband to helpbecause Deck knew Tell was the one who cancelled on me at the last minute Oh, and so did the rodeo committee secretary, so it was an all-around fabulous day”

Tell’s learning to grovel curve was short because i her to ia I’m sorry So sorry”

She stared at hiht… Goddammit I’uess you’re pretty fked,” Chase said cheerfully “Lyin’ to your woood idea And froht, you looked awful close to cheatin’ on her, too, with so,” Tell said through gritted teeth “Why don’t you get the hell out of here before I lose ia I owe you a good PR turn Just naenerous, Chase, it’s not necessary”

“It is partially my fault Tell wasn’t at the Pine Haven Rodeo I asked Verna to bues and requested Tell as a replace duties lined up for today”

Silence

“Of course the only reason I got the gig was because of you”

Tell’s embarrassment softened her temper Why hadn’t she considered it would still bother Tell to be in his cousin’s shadow? That if he had the chance to step out of it and into the spotlight, he’d take it?

Georgia wanted to look at the gravel beneath her feet or the streetlight or the stars above—anything but the misery in Tell’s eyes But she forced herself to stay firize for first?”

Georgia was asking him Like he had a clue Wasn’t like he could ask the self-centered teenage boy he’d reverted to for advice

Man up Think

“Tell?”

He didn’t reach for her, as o someplace where I can explain in private?”

Her eyes flashed a warning “I don’t want an explanation, I want an apology”

“I ht”

“If by takes all night, you’re thinking that you and I will get naked and have wild sex—”