Frustration was rolling off the billionaire in waves. Brenne realized that he wasn’t used to not being able to pick things up quickly and perform them perfectly. “I think you’re missing the point of the square dance,” Brenne said as he mumbled the calls to himself and practiced his feet placement.
Gavin looked up and cocked his head to the left. “What is the point if not performing the steps properly as they’re called?”
“The point is to have fun.” She put a cup of punch into his hand. “Drink that, and try a smile on that handsome face of yours.”
Gavin blinked at her, then did as she asked, sipping from the pink cup and then smiling at her. She could see the affection in his eyes, affection and something deeper that made her tense. Brenne knew it was good for her seduction plot, the desire she saw in Gavin’s gaze, but deep inside it made her feel rotten.
She didn’t love Gavin, although she felt affection for the billionaire. He was a friend, one she hoped to have for a long time, but he was not the one who made her heart pound and her pulse race. Those emotions were reserved for a man who didn’t deserve them.
Nothing in her life seemed to make sense recently. Her feelings for Alex, feelings that refused to die despite her attempts to will them away, colored everything she did with Gavin. Then there was the plan she’d agreed to at Peggy’s insistence. Brenne might flirt with a few cowboys for tips when she worked the saloon, but she didn’t make a habit of insincerity.
She didn’t want Gavin to fall in love with her because she couldn’t return those feelings. And although the threat of demise loomed over her town, he still didn’t deserve someone playing with his heart.
“Hey there, Miss Brenne.”
Brenne turned her head to see Ryan Mapleton, one of the ranch hands, approaching with a slow smile on his face. “I’m surprised to see you here,” she said when he pulled up next to her.
Ryan shrugged. “I thought it might be an opportunity to get friendly with some fillies,” he admitted.
“But it’s Valentine’s Day,” Brenne said, shaking her head. “Everyone here is part of a couple.”
Ryan slapped his forehead. “That explains why none of these women will agree to dance with me.”
Brenne laughed and put a hand on his back. “You’re basically whistling in the wind here, pardner.”
Ryan shook his head. “How about you?” he said, looking her up and down. “You’re looking mighty fine in those jeans tonight.”
Brenne bit back another laugh. “Ryan, I’d like to introduce you to my date, Gavin Jeffries. You might remember him from the cattle drive?”
Ryan looked past Brenne, understanding coming to him slowly. “G-Man, I remember you.” He stuck out a hand, and Gavin shook it. “I didn’t know you and Miss Brenne were going steady.”
Brenne held her breath. She and Gavin hadn’t talked about their status, and although she assumed he kept hanging around because he liked her, she experienced a moment of doubt. Gavin nodded, and she could breathe again. “Miss Brenne is indeed my Valentine,” the billionaire said in his usual self-assured tone. “You might try the saloon. I assume the singles may be congregating there tonight.”
“Thanks for the tip,” Ryan said, aiming a finger gun in Gavin’s direction. “See you around the ranch, Miss Brenne,” he said, giving her a wink. Ryan had been after her since high school. It seemed hope sprang eternal. Not that I can blame him. I appear destined to pine for a man who only remembers me when he’s looking for a good time.
“I think I’ve got it,” Gavin said, practicing a few moves. “I’d like to give it another try.”
Brenne felt her enthusiasm for square dancing fading, given the dark cloud that seemed to form over her head, just below the fluttering paper hearts. Before she could think up an excuse, Emma joined them, with Alex following behind her.
“Isn’t this fun?” Emma asked, her cheeks flushed and her eyes shining. “It feels good to kick up your heels, doesn’t it?”
“Square dancing doesn’t seem to include much heel kicking,” Gavin observed. “There is a fair amount of turning and spinning, many combinations of partners and arm movements, but heel raising and kicking don’t seem to make an appearance.”
Emma stared at him for a moment, then nodded and gave him a playful smile. “I do believe you’re right. It’s still a heck of a time though. You can’t disagree with that.”
“A heck of a time,” Gavin repeated, grinning.
“Let me show you the Ferris wheel. And the Flutterwheel! You’re going to be in stiches.” Emma turned to Brenne. “Do you mind if I borrow your dance partner for a bit? Alex’s mind doesn’t seem to be on the steps tonight and my feet are a little sore from spending so much time under his boots.”
Brenne glanced in Alex’s direction. He was staring at the dancers, expressionless. “Give him a twirl,” she said, swinging her arm wide. “I was never great at teaching the steps, and Gavin is keen to learn.”
Emma hitched out her elbow at him, and Gavin put his arm through it. Brenne watched them go, forming a square with Elijah and Lilah, Evan and Sadie, and Mike and Karen Hough. The Houghs had a small farm that bordered the MacAllen ranch on the east. The music started, and Brenne looked at Alex.
She was used to his default expression, a polite smile and easy eye contact. Brenne knew he wore it whenever he was in public, especially if he was around older women like her mama who prized good manners in young men. The fact that Alex wasn’t wearing that expression now shook her.
“You alright?” she asked after a minute. Even though she wanted to wrap her anger and hurt around her for protection whenever she was within spitting distance of Alex, Brenne couldn’t stand to see him this way.
“No, Brenne, I’m not alright,” he said, drawing out his words before turning to look at her. “At this point, I could screw up a two-car funeral.” His voice was tinged with a heaviness that was somewhere between frustration and shame. “I know this isn’t the right place or the right time to say this, but I’m sorry, Brenne.”
Startled, she hugged herself. “Sorry?”
Alex took a step closer, his words soft but urgent. “I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. For the way I’ve treated you. It was nothing short of nasty, and I regret it.”
Her breath caught in her chest. “Where is all of this coming from?” She was caught off guard by this Alex, one that would open his chest and let her look inside. When they’d been secretly seeing each other, she’d always wished he’d open up to her. Brenne had seen glimpses of the man he kept inside, but they’d never had a level of intimacy that allowed it.
Now he’s apologizing on Valentine’s Day. At a dance we came to with dates. His apology knocked her sideways, and Brenne didn’t know how to respond.
“You deserve better than how I treated you.” His voice was rough. “And I’m ashamed of myself.”
Brenne blinked back sudden tears at seeing her own emotional turmoil mirrored in the man who’d caused her the upset to begin with. “Alex, I don’t—” Know what to say, was what would have followed, but he interrupted her.