Jealousy burned deep in Ash’s gut, but that just made him angry at himself. What the hell was wrong with him? A guy was flirting with Kincaid. She apparently liked it. So what? Marco seemed like a decent guy. Why shouldn’t she like it?

Ash tossed the box of trash behind the house with unnecessary force, letting it make a loud crash. He would not do this again. He’d spent way too much time feeling that burn in his gut while he’d watched Kincaid fall for Graham. That warring feeling of being happy that she was happy but wishing he was the one making her that way. He would not fall into that bottomless trap. When he turned back around, Kincaid was headed his way and Marco lifted a hand in goodbye. Ash raised his hand in response and tried to shake off the dangerous feelings that were stalking him.

Kincaid strode over to him, a spring in her step. “Barry and Beula are officially off to the spa. I got to feed them cookies.” She pretended to fluff her hair and preen. “And not to toot my own horn, but they already have a crush on me.”

Ash smirked. “I don’t think the goats are the only ones.”

The words were out before he could snatch them back. Kincaid tucked her hands in her back pockets, curiosity on her face. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Never mind.” He stepped around her. “I got most of the living room cleared out and cleaned up. And I secured the back door with some boards. You’ll want to get a locksmith out here as soon as you can, though.”

Kincaid was following right behind him and grabbed his arm. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

He released a breath, letting her halt his step, and turned to face her. “Nothing. I’m just hungry and want to head back.”

She frowned. “Wait…is this about him asking me out? That’s who you think has a crush on me?”

“He asked you out?” Those weren’t the words he was supposed to say. No. That was what he was supposed to say. His brain was refusing to follow the script.

A secret smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah, he did. He’s asked before, and I’ve turned him down. But…”

Ash crossed his arms. “But what?”

She shrugged. “But this time, I said yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you got me thinking. That talk we had the night we went out to the bar has been running through my head. I’ve always said no because Marco is Wes’s brother and a really nice guy. I know he’s someone who wants to settle down eventually. So even though I always thought he was cute, I said no because I didn’t want things to get weird when I bailed after a few dates, you know?”

Ash just blinked at her.

“But what you said after the bar that night? That I deserve better. That I’m letting Joseph and Trevor win?” She looked down and nudged a small rock with the toe of her shoe. “Well, it got me wondering if maybe you’re right. Maybe I should give someone like Marco a chance, not write the ending before I even go on the first date. Be open to the possibility of something good.”