“Fine, and don’t gossip, Taylor,” Adam drawled.
The girl winked at him. She couldn’t have been more than sixteen and apparently had no problem ignoring the slight bite in his tone. “Right. Like everyone in town doesn’t already know you’re together on a date. It’s nice to see you with someone, Adam.”
Bianca bit her lip. Why not have some fun? “Adam doesn’t date much?”
Taylor leaned in. “Like, hardly at all. I mean, we thought he and Dawnie Freeze were dating, but she’s always loved Hawk, so that wouldn’t have worked out, anyway.”
Adam sighed. “Dawn sings at the bar sometimes, but we’ve never been on a date. Ever. Not once.”
Taylor patted his shoulder. “I know. It’s okay.”
Adam’s jaw set.
The oddest urge to laugh overtook Bianca, and she cleared her throat. “Well, he’s cute and he owns his own business. You’d think he’d be a fine catch.”
Taylor shook her head, tsking her tongue. “Right? I know of several women who’ve tried to lasso him, but no one is quick enough. He’s a stubborn one.”
Oh, this was hysterical. The look on Adam’s face, one of warning, tempted Bianca to change the subject. But she just couldn’t. “Maybe he doesn’t like women?” She lifted her glass to her lips.
Adam cocked his head.
Taylor sighed. “That would be totally fine, because I know Jamie Bobston totally thinks Adam’s hot, and he and Larry Jakob broke up almost a year ago, but only women have been sneaking out of Adam’s rooms above the bar early in the morning. You know? Walk of shame and all that?”
Bianca almost spit out the water.
Taylor grinned. “Not that it’s a walk of shame. That’s just a figure of speech, you know? Nobody judges. Everyone would just like to see Adam happy. In fact, he never takes anyone out to his ranch house to stay. He should.”
“Taylor—” Adam started.
Taylor held up a hand. “So, if you end up leaving the bar early in the morning, don’t be embarrassed, okay?”
Bianca set the glass down. Against her will, her cheeks heated. “Um, what’s the special here tonight?”
Taylor nodded, pen already poised. “Enchiladas.”
Bianca blinked, happy to have changed topics. “Are they spicy?”
“We can make them spicy,” the girl said, tapping the pad once.
“I’ll take the spiciest you’ve got.”
Adam’s grin was immediate and relieved. “I’ll do the same.”
“Perfect.” Taylor scribbled fast, tore the slip free, and bopped off toward the kitchen, calling the order as she went.
Bianca let her gaze drift around the diner. Several people from the council meeting earlier were filtering in, claiming tables and booths in small clusters. A few glanced their way, curiosity open and unembarrassed. “I like your town.”
“We like it the way it is.”
Ah. Okay. That was a warning. “We’ll be here for three weeks tops,” she said. “We’re not going to hurt your town.”
“That’s what they all say,” he murmured.
She studied him for a beat. “Believe me or not.”
He studied her right back, and she fought the urge to squirm. The guy had an intensity that didn’t go with the Montana drawl. Finally, he spoke. “You seeing anybody?”
Her eyebrows lifted. “That’s forward.”