Cole GLARED AT Garth blocking his path. Scarlett had already darted out of view in the growing warren of vehicles lined up for the game."Stay away from my sister," Garth said."Or what?" Cole crossed his arms over his chest, unimpressed with the bully before him."Hey." Benji hooked his arm around his older brother's neck, catching the man by surprise. "What's going on over here?"Benji's smile was too sharp, his hold on his brother too tight. How much of the exchange had he seen?"Get off of me." Garth pushed his brother away. His face was twisted into a scowl."You sitting with us?" Benji's focus remained on Garth, the hostile vibe intensifying."No." Garth gave Cole another glance. His stay away message telegraphed without words. He turned and stalked away.For a moment both Benji and Cole watched him until the crowed swallowed Garth."Is he always an asshole?" Cole asked."No. I mean, he's overprotective and a stick in the mud, but this is all new. Something's

Cole HAD TO get in the car. All he could think about was Scarlett in all the ways he wanted her. That wasn't being friends."Cole? Cole, wait.""No, Scarlett." He kept going, curling his hands into fists so he couldn't reach for her.Footsteps rustled the grass and fallen leaves. He could feel her coming closer.She grabbed his elbow and yanked. She wasn't strong enough to stop him, but he gave in anyway. Because he wasn't ready to walk away from her yet."What?" He turned toward her, his whole being vibrating with the need to touch her.For another long moment they stared at each other, her face lined with emotion he couldn't name. She felt too deeply. It was there in her eyes. She knew what she wanted, and he was barely figuring his shit out. He'd very likely hurt her if this kept going.He closed his eyes and inhaled the night air, catching the sweeter scent of the vanilla candles still clinging to her skin."Scarlett-"Her hand gripped his shoulder and then her mo

Scarlett LEANED AGAINST the back wall of the barn and watched the bride spin around the dance floor. Benji's parody song of the B52's Love Shack played through the speakers.The day was almost over.She couldn't believe how many times they'd had a near disaster, starting with the surprise flower arch the bride had thrown at her first thing in the morning. Scarlett had realized too late this bride's methods, how she'd manipulated Scarlett into going above, beyond and farther than was reasonable.Her phone vibrated, and she snatched it out of her pocket. After two outfit changes due to mishaps she'd given up and put on jeans, not caring if she showed up in the background looking casual.She stared down at the text, her second of the day: Bad day. Hope yours was better. Want to do dinner?Cole included a picture of a wine bottle and a six pack of beer.Right now that was her kind of dinner.She'd wanted to hear from him all day. Last night had been intense, to say the least.

Cole WAS SURPRISED by how quiet Monday was. It was as though the universe had used up all its ill will on Saturday and Sunday. He'd made three emergency after hours house calls, something Dr. Green vowed wasn't normal."Mrs. Billy?" He leaned around the corner and stopped when he saw the two male silhouettes standing at the desk."Dr. Odell." Mrs. Billy swiveled toward him and thumbed at the two men. "The Lively brothers are here to see you."They didn't have pets or livestock which meant this was not a professional call. He'd been wondering when this chat might happen."Come around and I'll meet you in my office," Cole said.He wasn't thrilled that this conversation was going down at his place of work, but it was good to get it over with. Now that he and Scarlett were on the same page he intended to spend a lot of time with her. Since she came with a tight-knit family that meant including them to some degree. It was best if they all got on the same page now. Besides, he had

Scarlett opened and closed her mouth. The muscles in her throat tightened, and she knew she had to be blushing."You are holding out," Jessica whispered and leaned even closer."It's..." Scarlett wanted to downplay the relationship now that someone was shining a light on it. But saying it was nothing was being unfair to the honesty they'd shared."I am so jealous. Please tell me the sex is good. Someone needs to be having good sex because it sure as hell isn't me." Jessica groaned. Come to think of it, Scarlett didn't even know if she'd ever seen Jessica with a boyfriend since high school."It would be good, except we aren't having any." Scarlett's cheeks heated. It had been a long time since she'd had girl talk about guys, sex or relationships."Why not?" Jessica asked."Because..." Scarlett shrugged. How much could she share?"Oh, no. No, that's not okay." Jessica crossed to the register and spent a moment ringing someone up.Scarlett glanced over her shoulder at the