Free Cupcakes and Cowboys (Sunset Plains Romance Book 1) by Lindzee Armstrong

rubbing his thumb along the edge of the countertop. “It lets me be someone else for a while.”
    Cassidy’s brows knit together. He’d never said anything like this to her before. “You’re Jase Larson. Men want to be you, and women want to be with you. Why would you want to be anyone else?”
    He took her hand gently in his. “I’ve always been in Hollywood. I’ve grown up with the glitz and glamor. Sometimes, I’m not sure if that’s the life I want, or the only life I’ve known.” He motioned to the bakery. “This—Oklahoma—is the most I’ve ever connected with a role. It feels like what I’ve always wanted to do and who I want to be. You’ve shown me that, Cassidy.”
    She swallowed, looking away. He was so different from Drew, in every possible way. “It’s a good life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
    His eyes locked with hers. “What if things had turned out differently between you and Drew?” She heard the unspoken question in his words— what happens with us after I leave?
    I want to be with you, she thought, her heart hammering in her chest. I need you. I don’t want to lose you. But she couldn’t lose herself in a relationship again. She wouldn’t give up the bakery. When she spoke, her words were slow, but deliberate. “I would’ve followed him to Los Angeles. But I’m not willing to sacrifice my dreams for someone else’s anymore.”
    She expected Jase’s eyes to flash with anger, or maybe hurt. But he just nodded. “You shouldn’t have to. He didn’t deserve you, Cassidy. I’m sure it didn’t feel like it at the time, but you’re lucky to have escaped.”
    “I know that now. But it doesn’t make it any easier.”
    What happens after next week? She was desperate to ask the question, but terrified of the answer.
    Jase took a slow step forward. Cassidy held her breath, his body heat filtering through the inches between them and warming her skin. Slowly, his head lowered toward hers.
    His phone rang, breaking the silence. Cassidy cleared her throat and took a step back. What was she doing? After next week, he’d go back to his life, and she’d go back to hers.
    “Hello?” Jase was silent as he listened to the other side of the call. His brow furrowed into a line. “That wasn’t our original agreement . . . You’re sure nothing can be done? Yeah, I understand. Yes. I said I’ll be there.” He flipped the phone closed, his chest heaving.
    “Is everything okay?” Cassidy asked.
    “That was my mother. She’s scheduled my flight home.”
    “Oh.” Cassidy blinked, hoping he wouldn’t see the tears that were forming.
    “It’s not that strange. The studio often makes travel arrangements for the cast members. But we’re usually in on the plans.”
    “When do you leave?”
    “Three days.”
    Three days. Her heart ached. This really was ending.
    He kissed her softly on the forehead and wrapped her in his embrace. She felt his unspoken pain, and knew he didn’t want to leave any more than she wanted him to.
    Ask him to stay! But no. They lived completely different—and incompatible—lifestyles. She wouldn’t put her career aside in favor of an actor’s. Again.
    “So, how do we decorate this cake?” Jase asked.
    Cassidy shook her head, struggling to clear it. She would enjoy these last three days, and then kiss him goodbye and not look back. Her heart couldn’t handle another actor.

 
     
     
     
     
     

     
    Jase had thoroughly enjoyed his time with Cassidy, right up until the phone call.
    Three days. Three days, and he’d go back to California and his life there, then on to Texas for filming. He knew Cassidy wouldn’t come with him, and he’d never ask her to. She belonged here, in Oklahoma, with her bakery and her family and the ranch. She could never be happy in California, and besides, their relationship was still so new.
    He tossed in his bunk, throwing the covers off him as the muggy air turned stifling. How could he leave Oklahoma when for