Sam knew his reasons for being so private. Celebrity came with a cost. He did what he had to in order to keep his business under wraps, but it seemed a little strange that Cha-Cha was suddenly throwing down her own verbal NDA. They weren’t walking down Melrose. They were on private property for an event where photos were expressly limited to the wedding photographer.

“Listen, if you don’t want to be seen with me, I get it,” he said, only sort of joking. The sudden softening of her expression made him wish he could take it back. “Hey, I was just playing. I didn’t mean—”

“Listen, I know you’re just a regular guy who looks ridiculously fine in a cowboy hat, but you’re also Sam Pleasant. The other night still doesn’t feel real. I just need a minute to adjust.”

“Yeah, we can do that.”

Sam sat back and focused his full attention on the spectacle being choreographed in front of them. There had been hundreds of weddings at the ranch, but this might be the one to top them all. The silence between him and Cha-Cha stretched out and all Sam could do was start cataloging all the other questions he had for her, when he was done making her feel completely awkward.

“I really want to pet a horse,” she whispered suddenly.

“Say again?”

“A horse. I love horses, but it’s been years since I’ve seen one in person.”

“Sometime this weekend when no one is looking, I will introduce you to a very special horse. My girl Majesty.” Sam reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Of course a picture of Majesty graced his cell’s lock screen. And his home screen. And the wallpaper on his laptop and his tablet.

“Oh, I know this horse. From the GQ spread.”

“You read my GQ article?”

“By accident. I was flipping through looking for some cologne ads.”

“Hmmm. I’ll also introduce you to my brother’s horses, Steve and Bam Bam.”

“I know nothing about Bam Bam and I already love him.”

“I’m sure he’ll love you,” Sam said. Then he went ahead and took a risk. “I know I just met you and this might sound crazy, but could I get your number?”

“No,” she replied with crisp ease. Sam had forgotten the acute sting of rejection, but it took hold right in the center of his chest, burning as it spread.

“I’m staying in room twelve though. If you can be cool, maybe stop by after tonight’s festivities. Or tomorrow night.”

And he’s back in the game!

“I can do that.”

“I look forward to it. Now tell me more about Bam Bam, my new favorite horse in the world.”

* * *