“I’m sorry, honey. I just don’t think we were meant to be together.”
Amber tightened her hold on Chad. “I don’t understand. A week ago you couldn’t wait to get me in the sack, and now you put me off and put me off.”
“You’re young, for one thing.”
“I’m nearly twenty-two. You’ll have to come up with a better excuse. Is there someone else?”
“Hell, no.”
“Then what on earth is going on?”
“I’m just not into…relationships is all.”
“A few dates does not a relationship make, Chad. I guess we really don’t know each other that well. I could have sworn you were a guy who liked to have fun.”
“Well, sure I do.”
“Then there’s someone else. It’s Catie, isn’t it?”
“For God’s sake, there’s no one else, Amber. I just don’t want to get involved with anyone right now.” He physically removed her arms from around his waist. “You’re a real nice girl. Beautiful and sweet. You earned that runner-up position, and it was no easy task, you being new in town and all.”
“Did you vote for me, Chad?” Amber asked. “Or did you vote for Caitlyn?”
“There were three judges, Amber.”
“But who was your choice?”
“I can’t say. It’s not fair of you to ask me.”
“Your choice was Caitlyn, then.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.” Amber stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips lightly against Chad’s cheek. “I think we’d have fun together, cowboy, but I guess it’s not to be. It was nice meeting you.”
She walked away, into the crowd of people celebrating.
Damn. Chad gritted his teeth. What the hell was wrong with him? He could have had her six different ways by now, but he just wasn’t interested.
He glanced across the room. Catie stood talking to Harper, her tiara twinkling.
But it was no match for her eyes or her smile.
He stroke toward her with purpose.
“Hey, rodeo queen,” he drawled, “wanna dance?”
He grinned as a telltale blush colored her pretty face.
“You don’t mind, do you, Harper?” Chad asked.
“No. Of course not.”
“Then, come on, Catie. Let’s cut the rug.”
“Wait one minute,” she said. “Why would you just assume I’m going to dance with you? Why don’t you dance with Harper? He said he didn’t mind.”
“Catie—” Harper said.