Excerpt of Saving the Sheriff by Kadie Scott

"If you ever want to talk about Georgia—"

He turned sharply to face her. "I don't."

Holly's eyes widened at his abrupt tone.

Cash stared at her for a good long while. Finally, he blew out a long breath and pushed his fingers through his hair, spiking it up. A lock flopped back onto his forehead.

Holly ignored the urge to brush it back for him.

"I don't like to talk about Georgia." His jaw worked as if he couldn't decide if he was too angry or too devastated to talk.

As much time as she'd spent talking to Georgia, she honestly hadn't witnessed much of her friend and Cash together. Not enough to really know them as a couple. Another regret for the records. Unfortunately, now that meant she couldn't tell if Cash's refusal to speak about Georgia was from a grief so deep he had to close it off, or if it was from something else.

If it was anger, then he either knew part of or all she had to tell him concerning Marcus. That might almost be easier. She hated the idea of stomping all over his vision of what Georgia had been if he didn't know.

"I—" He ran his hands through his already spiky hair again. "I'd better go."

Holly dropped her gaze and willed her sinking heart to get over it fast. She had no idea what was driving this reaction. Better to just let him go. "Of course. It's late."

She walked to the door, and he followed, silent and brooding.

He opened the door and she followed him outside, where he turned abruptly to face her. "I'm so—"

She stopped him by going up on her tiptoes and placing her lips softly over his. Shock at her own behavior zipped through her, even as her lips tingled from the touch. She'd meant for the gesture to be comforting. Perhaps part of her realized that after she talked to him about Marcus tomorrow, she might not get another chance. Besides, kissing Cash was a good way to shut him up. She didn't want his apologies.