Free Denim & Diamonds by Lori Robinett Page A

out of the ring. The next victim climbed onto the bull, and Fluffy’s wide grin indicated this round wouldn’t start on the easiest setting.
    “You gonna ride the bull tonight?”
    Beau turned to find Katie on the bar stool next to him. His eyes opened wide, then he glanced at Fluffy. "What are you doing here? Fluffy'll toss you out in a New York minute!"
    She grinned at him and said, "I'm legal now. Had a birthday in March, remember?"
    He shook his head. "No way can you be 21."
    She caught the bartender's eye and ordered a Bud Light then swiveled on her bar stool to watch the action on the mechanical bull. "Well, I am."
    He took a pull on his beer. "Seems like just yesterday you were practicing driving in the old farm truck out in the pasture."
    "Yeah, well, Beau, I grew up while you weren't paying attention."
    He turned on his bar stool, and had to admit to himself that the girl really had grown up. How had he missed that? She'd grown curves in all the right places and was no longer an awkward teen. He tore his eyes from her before she could catch him staring. He turned his attention to the drunk kid in line, again determined to get back on the bull.
    “He just doesn’t know when to give up, does he?” Katie asked. She motioned to the bartender and held up two fingers. He popped the tops on two beers and sat them in front of her. She slid one in front of Beau. “Kind of like me, huh?”
    “What?” Beau asked, tossing back the last of his beer before wrapping his fingers around the fresh bottle.
    “Guess I don’t know when to give up either. You know, I've had a crush on you since I was twelve.” Katie leaned towards Beau, giving him a glimpse of cleavage at the v-neck of her t-shirt.

Beau raised his eyebrows, then clanked his bottle against hers in a toast. "Seems like just yesterday you were twelve."
    She grinned, her even, white teeth shining in the dimness of the bar. "But I'm not twelve anymore. So, you know, if you ever want to go out sometime . . . "
    She let her voice trail off and watched him with wide blue eyes.
    He looked at her for a long moment, then shook his head, "You're just a kid."
    She shrugged, "Not anymore."
    “You're too young for me. There's got to be some guy at college you like, right?"
    She snorted. "A bunch of useless frat boys."
    He tipped the bottle up and took a long drink, then sat it on the bar with a clank. He couldn't ignore the fact that Katie had turned into a beautiful young woman, but when he looked at her, he still saw the pigtailed girl that used to tag along after him in the barn. "I'm sorry, kid, but I just don't see you that way."
    She shrugged again. "I'm not asking you to marry me, you dork. I'm just saying there's nothing wrong with two adults having a drink and enjoying themselves."
    She had him there. No reason why he couldn't have a good time. Beth was out with her guy. He could have a little fun, too. He swiveled in his seat so he was facing Katie. "This isn't a date, just two friends having a drink."
    She slapped him on the thigh and held up her beer. "To friends."
    He raised his beer and tapped it against hers and echoed, "To friends." He motioned to the bartender to set up two more beers.
    Beau wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but there were a lot of bottles in front of him and the bull was still getting a workout. He and Katie danced a few times. Well, stood and swayed to the music, he thought with a smile. He felt a little foggy and decided it was time to get some fresh air.

“Be careful, man,” Fluffy said, waving to the two on their way out. Beau nodded and threw his arm over Katie’s shoulder. Her arm was wrapped around his waist. The two burst out the door, singing the latest Eric Church song at the top of their lungs. Just as they finished their song, Beau leaned back against his truck to steady himself. Katie pressed her body against him, and reached up to put her arms around his neck. She pulled his head down and kissed him lightly on the