His gaze touched on her and he frowned.
Summoning up her brightest smile, Yvette wiggled her fingers in a wave and did her best to let him know everything was fine. The last thing she wanted to do was put a cloud on his fun.
“So you’re still with him?”
She pulled away from Mindi and leaned back on the wall. Not that she needed the support, but she definitely felt the buzz. “How is that any of your business?”
Mindi put on her pitying face. “Oh, honey, how long do you think it can possibly last?”
“I repeat, it’s not your concern, Ms. Jarrett.”
“It’s just that I’d hate to see you hurt again.” She smoothed Yvette’s arm, sort of petting her with compassion.
Yvette’s skin crawled.
“You poor thing, you’ve already been through so, so much.”
The ice going down Yvette’s spine did a lot to clear her head. “Everyone eventually loses a family member.”
“Yes, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” Finally withdrawing, Mindi folded her hands together in front of her. She continued with the mask of pity, as if she cared only about protecting Yvette. “Cannon told me everything.”
Like a giant fist clenching her heart, pain expanded in Yvette’s diaphragm. Pride helped her to keep her tone cool. “Everything?”
Mindi nodded, looked around and pushed closer. “He’s a great guy, everyone knows that. But—” she bit her lip with uncharacteristic hesitation “—he’s still a guy.”
The idea that Cannon might have confided in this woman devastated her—not that she’d ever show it, definitely not to Mindi. Neck stiff, throat tight and eyes burning, she asked, “Your point?”
“I understand you were sweethearts before you moved away?”
Hardly. Cannon had dodged her at every turn. That was, until she’d almost been killed.
“He saved you, I know.” Mindi’s words were soft and gentle. “He said that because you were so young, you adored him for it.”
Each word cut deeper. She’d been infatuated with him long before that. But yes, having him come to her rescue had meant he’d forever stolen her heart.
“Men love being macho,” Mindi told her. “A man like Cannon more than most. Now that you’re back, he’s drawn by all that sweet hero worship.”
Yvette wanted to throw up.
Or at least get out of the crowded bar so she could sort through her heartache alone.
With no encouragement from her, Mindi continued, “You have to be realistic, honey. You know he has a life to get back to. A big and very demanding career.”
True.
“He lives in Harmony, Kentucky, now.”
“I know that.” Just as she knew eventually he’d have to return there.
“If you know it, then why are you creating a life here—a life I know you want with Cannon? That’s just setting yourself up for heartache.”
Unable to help herself, she sought him with her gaze. Cannon sat on a bar stool, laughing with two men, surrounded by more fans, all of them admiring him.
If he knew Mindi was repeating everything to her, he’d come to her rescue. Again.
As Mindi had just explained, he still saw her as that immature, needy girl incapable of caring for herself.
“I know we got off on the wrong foot,” Mindi continued. “Mostly because we both want him. The difference is that I’m realistic.” She touched Yvette’s arm. “And you’re not.”
She needed to go. She had to go. Right now.
She’d ridden there with Cannon, but she wouldn’t disturb him. Not for this.
Maybe because she watched him, he looked up and their gazes clashed. Though he smiled at the man talking to him, she still felt his scrutiny. Her stiff lips formed a smile and she managed a nod.
Unfortunately, that only sharpened his attention. He stepped away from the crowd, and Mary blocked him.
It was far too much. Anxiety burned her eyes, left her pulse tripping. “I’m touched by your concern, Mindi, truly I am. But I can take care of myself.”
“That’s not what Cannon told me.”
She sucked in a breath, leveled by that betrayal.
“He’s convinced that you need him. Why do you think he moved in with you?”
“My life is my own. Do me a favor and butt out.” Blind with hurt, she looked around, considering her options.
Mary held Cannon’s attention.
And now Armie was bearing down on them.
“Goodbye, Mindi.”
“You’re leaving?” Mindi asked with barely veiled triumph.
Yvette didn’t answer.
“You go on, honey.” Mindi readjusted the V of her dress over her cle**age. “I’ll let Cannon know.”
There was nothing Yvette could add to that, so she turned and began pushing her way through the crowd. She heard Denver call out to her. Saw Stack watching her.
They were all worried for her and, damn it, she did not want that.
She stepped outside, dragged in a calming breath of evening air and pulled herself together.
She wouldn’t leave. If she did, she’d only ruin Cannon’s fun. She’d be fleeing, when she’d promised herself she’d never do that again.
Others milled about outside, some drinking, most talking, a few smoking. Traffic went by, headlights bouncing off the surrounding buildings. Across the street, a group of youths laughed too loudly.