Bet on a Cowboy

“I like a challenge.”

“You won’t sound so confident in a few minutes,” Griffin muttered.

Maggie racked the balls and Hunter lined up his shot.

“Ten says she beats you,” Griffin taunted.

Denise turned to Maggie. “Hunter thinks he’s the best pool player since Minnesota Fats. I’d love to see you put him in his place. Then maybe he wouldn’t spend all his free time playing pool, reading about pool—”

“Aw, babe. You know that’s how I relax after a long day.”

As Hunter took his shot, Denise asked, “How do you know Griffin?”

“We’re working together on a TV show.”

“We’re working on a Twin Creeks’ project.”

He and Maggie spoke simultaneously.

“What show?” Denise asked, completely ignoring Griffin.

Hands fisted inside his front pockets, Griffin barreled forward, hoping to avert impending disaster. “You wouldn’t have heard of it.”

He flashed Maggie a play-along-with-me glare, but unfortunately, her attention remained focused on the pool table. “Maybe Hunter hasn’t, but I bet Denise has. She’s our target audience. I’m the director on Finding Mrs. Right.”

Hunter sank his shot, and then Maggie glanced Griffin’s way. She paled when she spotted him scowling at her. Too late now.

Griffin held his breath. If Lady Luck shined on him, Denise wouldn’t have heard of the blasted program.

“Isn’t that the dating show you make me watch with you every Tuesday night?” Hunter blurted out, and Denise nodded.

Griffin cursed Lady Luck’s fickle nature. How could she turn on him? Nothing he could do now but brace himself for the oncoming assault.

Hunter’s loud guffaws echoed through the room. “You’re going on that show? Why in the hell would you do that? Have you run through all the local girls and need to widen the market?”

Damn. That made him sound like a lecher.

“Excuse me?” Maggie straightened, hands on her hips, her eyes flashing daggers at Hunter.

Go get him, Maggie girl. Take the heat off me and give me time to regroup.

“No offense meant, ma’am.”

“It’s too late for an apology.” She waved her hand toward Denise. “Not everyone is as lucky as you’ve obviously been in finding someone wonderful.”

Bless her for feeling the need to defend her show.

“Thank you.” Denise beamed at Maggie. “I’ve been telling Hunter for years that he doesn’t know how lucky he is.”

Griffin glanced at his watch. “As much fun as this is, Nick’s band is about to start playing. I’m heading into the other room.”

He turned and walked away, leaving a good chunk of his pride behind.

AS MAGGIE AND GRIFFIN found a table near the stage, Hunter and Denise headed straight for the bar, claiming to need a drink. Not that Maggie blamed them for wanting to get away from the awkward undercurrents between her and Griffin. They’d been having so much fun until she’d spoiled everything by bringing up the show.

How could Griffin expect her to know he didn’t want his friends finding out about his plans? He should’ve briefed her before they arrived. This wasn’t her fault, and she wished he’d quit glaring at her.

Not wanting to see annoyance flashing in his eyes, Maggie stared at the neon guitars and rope lights hanging above the stage. Plinking sounds as the band tuned up floated through the air, mingling with laughter.

“You had no business telling my friends about the show.” Griffin’s low, soft voice rattled through her.

“You do realize they’d find out anyway? You’re going to be on national television. That’s a hard secret to keep.”

“I wanted to tell everyone in my own way. I definitely wanted my family to know first.”

“Why on earth haven’t you told them?”

“We signed the contract tonight and came straight here. When was there time?”

“I’d have told my family before I signed the contract.” That came out way more judgmental than she’d intended. She paused and softened her voice. He had a point. Just because she’d have handled the situation differently didn’t mean that was right for him. “Are you worried they won’t approve?”

“No.” His stiff posture and clenched jaw contradicted his confident response.

Something was going on, and he didn’t want her to know about it. Maggie thought about confronting him, but what could she say other than she didn’t believe him? Calling the bachelor a liar. Not the best way to start out their working relationship.

“Just remember in the future not to share my personal information without asking me. Now let’s drop the subject and have some fun.”

His jaw relaxed. The sparkle returned to his eye. Dizzy from his abrupt shift, Maggie had no idea how to respond, or what had caused his instant turn around.

Griffin stood and held out his hand. “Let’s dance.”

She glanced at the bodies moving in synchronicity on the wooden floor. No way could she execute those precision steps. The last time she’d line danced was at home, before she headed for NYU, and she’d been lousy then. “It’s been years since I’ve done this. The moves have changed a lot.”

“Then you’re in luck, because I’m an excellent teacher.”

Now that she believed.

“People who have two left feet dance better than I do.”

“Trust me.”

His husky voice reached deep inside her, evaporating any fear of embarrassment. He looked at her in a way no man ever had, as if he truly cared about her. As a woman.

She’d be seeing purple giraffes any time now.

He was simply being nice. A gentleman. There was nothing more to his actions, but maybe for tonight she could pretend. Maggie placed her hand in his callused one and stood.

Big mistake.