Porsche McCoy hunkered in a darkened corner of the Double Stud party room, rested her chin on her fist, and stared at the disco ball sending shards of color over the writhing crowd, trying very hard to muffle her disgruntlement.
Just how many women was Cody going to dance with before he finally asked her? He whirled by with Sara Worth in his arms, and a laugh on his lips, and the little hairs on her nape prickled.
He always ignored her.
Well, that was untrue. He didn’t ignore her as much as treat her like a little sister. An annoying little sister. Patted her on the head, sent her on her way. How frustrating. She was a woman now, full grown and legal . . . not a little kid following him like a besotted puppy.
But still, he avoided her like the plague.
It was probably Ford’s fault.
Cody and Ford had been best friends forever and everyone knew how protective her brother was.
But she wasn’t a child any longer. It was about time Cody saw that.
Her eyes narrowed as he made his way to the bar for a drink after his raucous dance. As he tipped back his head, his gaze skated the room for another partner. It landed on her. Her heart jumped . . . but then it plummeted when, without so much as the twitch of a lash, he looked away.
Damn it.
She should do something, had to do something, to get him to see her as a woman.
Seduction was definitely an option, but she’d have to be careful. If Ford found out, he’d have a hissy fit.
She glanced at Ford who was sitting with his wife, Crystal, along with Cade and Lisa. The four looked blissfully happy.
She was not sure why that annoyed her as well.
Or she was.
Everyone was getting married. Even Cody’s brother, whom they’d all expected to stay single forever on account of the fact that he was so painfully shy around women. But even he had found his soul mate.
A sizzle shot through her veins as Cody’s deep voice rumbled through the amps as he called Logan and Hanna up onstage.
She tried not to roll her eyes. But good lord, who had an engagement party at a strip ranch?
Logan and Hanna, apparently, most likely on account of the fact that they’d met again here.
In fact, Hanna had insisted on it.
Probably for this very moment.
With a smirk, Cody sat Hanna in the lone chair on the stage and then turned to Logan. “Are you ready for this?” he asked.
Porsche could see Logan’s bright red blush from here.
“No.”
“Too bad,” Cody crowed. He turned to the crowd. “See, folks, it seems that Logan here lost a bet, and he owes Hanna a dance.”
Logan dropped his face into his hands and shook his head.
Hanna, for her part, beamed.
“And not just any old dance, right, honey?” He thrust the mic at Hanna.
“No.”
“Tell us what kind of dance Logan is going to perform.” By his tone, it was clear Cody already knew.
But then, who didn’t know? Who couldn’t work that out? They were on the stage of a strip ranch after all. You’d have to be completely not paying attention not to know. Indeed, the crowd hooted.
Hanna grabbed the mic and stared up at Logan with her eyes sparkling. “He’s gonna give me a lap dance,” she said, and the music cranked up. The crowd went wild when the quintessential stripper music blared out.
Logan began his dance.
Well, it was generous to call it a dance. More like an awkward kookaburra mating ritual with his birdlike moves and all, but Hanna seemed to like it.
The audience liked it too. They warbled and hooted and urged him on.
“Brother.” Sidney dropped down at Porsche’s side with a huff. “I can’t believe they’re actually doing that in front of everyone.”
Porsche shot her a smirk. “Your dad seems to be enjoying it.” Indeed, Henry Stevens stood by the stage tossing dollar bills at his soon-to-be son-in-law.
“Doesn’t make it any less disturbing.”
“Yeah. I guess.” She sighed. “It’ll be over soon.”
“One can hope.”
“Well, it’s a nice party,” she said by way of consolation. She knew Sidney had planned the whole thing. Probably as a ploy to spend more time with Cody. It was no secret that Sidney was as crazy for him as Porsche was.
It was a pity the ploy had not worked out, apparently. Sidney hadn’t danced with Cody either. In fact, he seemed to be deliberately ignoring them both.
“Thanks,” Sidney said with a huff. Porsche followed her gaze and was not surprised to see it tracking Cody.
“Hey, you two,” Amy said as she sidled into the chair next to Porsche. She took a tentative sip from one of the glasses she held and made a face.
“What are you drinking?” Porsche asked.
“Tequila.” She thrust out the cup. “Want some?”
Porsche peered inside. “How much do you have in there?” The glass was more than half full. Amy was obviously an optimist.
Amy shrugged. “There was a long line at the bar. I figured I should plan ahead.” She set another tumbler on the tabletop. “I brought one for you too.”
“I knew there was a reason I liked you,” Porsche said. She lifted the glass and tipped it back, enjoying the burn. They sat there for a long moment in silence, watching the festivities. Half the town was here. All ages, from old Mr. Wentworth to Missy Kennedy’s new baby boy. Of course, there was no sign of the Puceys, which was fine with everyone.
It was a well-known fact that Zack had been convicted of arson and was serving time in Seagoville. It was hardly a life sentence, but Porsche had almost immediately felt the mood in Snake Gully lift when they carted him away.
And, in her mortification, Tibby had made herself scarce.
That was a blessing in itself.
Amy frowned as she shot a look from Sidney’s grim expression to Porsche’s glower. “You two don’t look like you’re having a good time.”
“You didn’t bring me any tequila,” Sidney grumbled.
“Oh, it’s a wonderful party,” Porsche muttered at the same time. It would be more wonderful if Cody would notice her. She’d danced with all of Logan’s brothers—Rafe and Ben and Brandon—in an attempt to show him how available she was, but he hadn’t noticed, as far as she could tell.
“Well,” Amy said. “I am just thrilled for Hanna and Logan. Did you hear he’s taking her to Paris for their honeymoon?”
Sidney sighed. “She loves Paris.”
“She loves Logan.”
Porsche forced a smile on her face. It was probably a smile. “Logan is great.”
“He is.”
“I’m glad they found each other.” Why Sidney’s smug tone intimated she’d had something to do with it was a mystery.
“Every woman deserves to win her dream man,” Porsche said. Her gaze flicked to Cody. He was her dream man. He always had been. She knew, just knew, that one day he would see her as a woman. And when that happened he would undoubtedly fall madly in love with her and—
“Drool much?”
Porsche whipped around and glared at Sidney. “What?”
“You heard me. I see you staring at him. Honestly, Porsche. Don’t tell me you still have the hots for Cody.”
Well, that was the pot calling the kettle horny. “I was not staring at him.” A complete lie, but whatever.
Sidney grunted. “It’s okay. If you want him, take him.” Her tone was distant, dismal, bitter.
Porsche blinked. “I wasn’t aware I needed your permission.”
“But he’ll use you. He’ll use you and toss you aside just like he’s done each and every time he’s had a girlfriend. You know what he’s like. Utterly incapable of commitment.” The pain in her expression was excruciating.
Despite their long-term rivalry, Porsche’s heart ached for her. Sidney was obviously speaking from experience, which sent a trickle of annoyance and envy and pity through her. It was obvious Sidney didn’t realize Cody was her man. In consolation, she squeezed Sidney’s hand.
It was true. Cody had always played the field. He went through women like a chocolate addict went through a bonbon store.
But it wouldn’t be like that with her.
It wouldn’t be like that with them.
She was certain of it.
In fact, there was only one problem she had to tackle in her pursuit of Cody Silver.
Getting him to notice her.
She sat back and took in the laughter, the chatter, and the music filling the hall as she plotted her strategy. Her gaze locked on Cody, this time dancing with Logan’s sister, balancing Louisa’s tiny feet on his.
Yeah. There was only one thing left to do.
She had to seduce Cody Silver.
Then he’d know.
Then he’d see.
They were meant to be together forever.