A/N: Full transparency, I have not seen season 2, only the first & the latest one. I'm taking these guys out for a spin or a test drive really so I hope this isn't too bad. I got this idea when seeing the bts shots of Jensen and Kylie shooting a talking scene outside of Dewell & Hoyt a while back. I'm pretty sure that the show is having this season's story unfold over a few days' time but for the sake of this one shot, I extended the time between events somewhat. I do love Cassie and Jenny's friendship but after the last episode, I had to explore this idea more fully.

I listened to Better Let Somebody Love You by Modern West while writing this. An odd choice, I know, but it got stuck in my brain and wouldn't let me go.

A huge thank you to my beta. They made this legible from what it originally was.


Cassie was just hanging up the phone when she heard the front door to the Dewell & Hoyt office open. She glanced up in time to see Beau walking through, an empty casserole dish in hand. She rolled her eyes good-naturedly and shook her head, getting to her feet. Denise was still cooking for a grown man; the older woman's little crush was fast becoming just downright embarrassing. She made a mental note to talk to Denise about it later.

Not that Cassie didn't like Beau — it was quite the opposite. Truth be told, he had become one of her favorite people as of late, and it was all thanks to the many nights at his place where they had started out with movies and drinks, which then morphed into deep conversations and comfortable silences around the fire pit Beau had set up a decent distance away from his trailer. As it turns out, he could be very chatty and, while it sometimes annoyed Jenny to no end, Cassie actually found it endearing. He talked frequently about his daughter, about the life he'd had back in Texas, about his days working up to where he was now, about his first six months in Montana, even about his brother and what had happened there. The more he talked the more she listened, and after a while, she found herself content to just sit and listen to him talk about any subject he wanted to discuss or any story he wanted to tell. He could talk about the trout he kept promising to take her fishing for just as soon as he had a decent day off and she would be just as interested to hear it. She liked hearing his thoughts, his perspective and experiences, and she enjoyed hearing about the things that were most important to him; likewise, he always gave her the same rapt attention when she was the one speaking, whether that be about a case she was working on or what her son had done in school that week or reliving memories of her childhood. No matter how long they talked, no matter how repetitive the topics might get once in a while, Cassie didn't mind them, and that was something new for her. Aside from Cody and her friendship with Jenny, she had never felt this way about so much talking. Deep down, she knew Beau Arlen was someone special and she was honored that he trusted her not only with his friendship but also himself.

And if Cassie were honest (and she was nearly all the time), she had come to rely on having the newest sheriff in town as a good friend that she could go to with anything she needed. Almost like the friendship and partnership she had with Jenny…almost.

There were definitely some differences between the native Texan and her favorite blonde. She found herself opening up to Beau as much as she had with Jenny, and as of late, even more so. It wasn't that she didn't trust Jenny—she trusted her best friend with her life—but she and Beau shared an extra link that she and Jenny just didn't have. This was surprising because she and Jenny had both lost people, but the latter downright refused to attend a grief counseling meeting, insisting that she could grieve on her own well enough, but like the good friend she was, she supported Cassie going if that's what Cassie truly wanted.

Funnily enough, Cassie got Beau to attend his first meeting a couple of months or so ago. He hadn't been crazy about it but when Cassie had started to confide in him just how much they helped her after losing Andrew, Cody, and her dad, Beau thought it over and surprised her by meeting her one afternoon outside in the parking lot where they had first met.

Of course, he had made his usual corny jokes and played up their usual banter, but when she put her hand on his arm and smiled reassuringly at him, telling him it would be okay and grasping his wrist to tug him along after her, he had followed her inside despite any uncertainty he might have been feeling. Beau had even gently removed himself from her grip, making her brow furrow as she worried maybe she had overstepped, until he took her hand in his and told her to lead the way, giving her a nervous smile. Cassie had frozen for a moment, staring at their hands and wondering if she might get sick right there in front of him with how much her stomach seemed to dance when she felt his warm yet rough skin against hers, but she forced the feeling down when she noticed his smile start to fade and could feel him starting to pull away. She instead gave him an encouraging smile, tightened her grip on him to keep him from leaving, and did indeed lead the way into the room. As they listened to the others speak, when one member tearfully spoke about losing her brother to an overdose, Beau's hand once again managed to find hers. When Cassie noticed his gaze had wandered to the floor, his blank expression indicating that he was obviously lost in a sea of bad memories, she gently stroked his hand with her they asked if anyone else would like to share before the meeting had come to a close, she glanced over at him but he kept his eyes forward while the people around them were looking in his direction. Right before the counselor was about to address him, Cassie raised her free hand. Beau turned wide eyes on her, the worry plain as day on his face. She could feel his heartbeat start to race from where one of her fingers rested near his wrist.

Cassie squeezed his hand once more and when all eyes were on her, she began to talk about her dad. Most of the people in the group knew her story from when she had attended before, but this time she spoke about how hard some days still were for her and her son. However, she also made it a point to mention how grateful she was for the group and for certain friends she had who made things a little easier along the way. As she continued to talk, she could feel Beau's eyes on her along with everyone else's. When she was finished speaking and the meeting had adjourned, Beau gave her a gentle smile and a grateful nod.

He opened his mouth to say something when he heard "Sheriff" being called. He whipped his head around and released her hand, clearing his throat and standing to greet the older man who was making his way towards them. Cassie didn't let that bother her; she understood. It was a small town and no matter how they might try to explain that the touch had only been one of comfort between friends and nothing more, the busybodies in Helena would spin the tale however they wanted.

So she hadn't been surprised when Jenny coyly asked her about it a few weeks later. Well, coy would be a generous word; it had been obvious to Cassie for a while now that her best friend was into her other best friend. Though Jenny did her damndest to deny it, anyone within a two foot radius could tell just how badly the blonde had it for the new sheriff in town, and Cassie could hardly blame her; Beau wasn't too hard on the eyes and he had a heart of gold underneath that badge of his. He was a tall glass of refreshing water in a town where both women had sampled the local well of the male species more than enough times to know there was something missing from the grand populace. Who knew that it would turn out to be a certain single father from Houston that had been the key ingredient to spice things up in this small town?

One thing Cassie was sure of: Jenny always got her man—in their line of work and outside of it. Cassie had watched the interaction between her two friends carefully and while she had a harder time gauging just where Beau's thoughts fell in this whole thing, she told herself it was only a matter of time before the sheriff and undersheriff became something more than just a crime-solving duo.

So when Jenny asked her about the rumored hand holding between the new sheriff and the infamous PI at the weekly grief support meeting, Cassie made sure to play it off and reassure her old partner that nothing was happening between her and Beau: they were just friends. She hinted that Jenny was clear to pursue that route should she choose to (which, of course, Jenny then denied she had any interest in doing so, trying to hide the obvious relief that saturated her expression upon Cassie's words). She didn't say it then, but Cassie had no interest in repeating the past; Jenny meant too much to her for anything like that to play out again, and even if she did feel slight disappointment when watching Jenny and Beau tease each other, seeing Beau's wide grin directed at the other woman while said woman gave him that smile, she ignored it and told herself that she was happy for the both of them. They had been through so much and she only wanted their happiness, and if that happiness meant each other then she was all for it. This translated to calling it an early night when she, Jenny, and Beau were about to bunk in for a movie, as well as ignoring the sinking feeling in her stomach at leaving the two of them alone at his trailer and telling herself that Beau's obvious disappointment had been nothing more than a polite and friendly gesture.

Cassie never asked what happened after she left and neither Beau nor Jenny offered the story, though she didn't miss the looks exchanged between the two when they thought no one else was looking, so she decided that yes, she had been right. Her two friends were obviously heading in a direction that would make them both happy, short-term or long-term, come what may, and she would be supportive and quietly exit the scene as best as she could. So when Beau would take her hand on movie nights (something he had started to do more and more after that one meeting), she would wait a moment and then excuse herself to use the bathroom, say she needed to call and check on Kai, or do something where she could break the contact between them without it ringing loudly of rejection. She knew he only meant the hand-holding in a friendly, comforting way, but she still couldn't bring herself to be direct about it, to put the kibosh on it once and for all. She would never admit it out loud, but she liked that he still sought comfort from her, especially when he had had a particularly difficult day at the office or he and his ex had been arguing once again over their daughter. She wanted to be there for her friend just as much as he had her, and she didn't want to do or say anything that would hurt him or put a strain on their friendship. And each time she did this, it seemed to work because he wouldn't take her hand again when she returned, nor did he seem fazed. Instead, he would crack jokes while simultaneously cracking open another beer for them both to share, or he would ask her about Kai and how he was doing. And every single time Beau launched into a story about he and Jenny working a case or making an arrest, Cassie told herself she was doing the right thing by them both.

Not to mention that Jenny had started joining their movie nights at Beau's invitation. He had told Cassie that he didn't want the blonde to feel left out when she heard him talking to Cassie about their plans one day, and she understood that. She didn't want Jenny to feel left out either; it had just never occurred to her to invite Jenny to the nights that seemed to be set up for just the two of them to relax and unwind while further cementing their friendship. She regretted not thinking of including Jenny sooner, although a part of her didn't regret the time she got to spend with the man, getting to know him and hear all of his stories, from his training in the academy (where they would compare notes) to his time in law enforcement in Houston, to his childhood with his brother, and of course, the most recent ones about his daughter.

So when Beau apologized for including Jenny in their plans without discussing it with her first, Cassie realized she had been silent too long and quickly reassured him that it was a great idea. "No, it's fine, I was just thinking I should have thought of it myself. I'm glad you invited her. This will be great. Really."

At first, Beau had seemed unconvinced by her nod and forced smile, but then he nodded in return and moved to grab the red cups they were going to use. Cassie took the opening to start teasing him about his lack of glassware and he good-naturedly played along until they settled into their familiar banter.

Cassie had actually enjoyed having Jenny there for the horror film they had agreed to watch. She managed to push down the out-of-place feeling she got when Jenny interrupted her reassuring Beau when he spoke about Emily's camping trip, lightly scolding her for unintentionally "rubbing it in". She had even appreciated Jenny's suggestion that Beau should tell Emily how much she meant to him. Despite it feeling weird and at odds with what Jenny herself had just said. Being there for Beau was second nature to her, something that had become as familiar to her as did the drive back home after each of these movie nights and the texts she sent him upon walking in the door to let him know she had arrived safely as he had requested each time she left. She knew him now and she knew what to say and what not to, but this was…different. Cassie had to admit that it was pretty good advice—she could see the expression on Beau's face that showed he was carefully considering the words himself, and so when Jenny launched into the punch list story to lighten the mood, Cassie went with it and, thankfully, so did Beau.

When Cassie started noticing more and more just how close Beau and Jenny were getting, that's when she started to move away from the twice weekly standing plans she and Beau had. At first, Cassie purposely canceled at the last minute, coming up with excuses ranging from needing to work a case to Kai having a science project due the next day which he forgot to tell her about. Kai himself had been disappointed when the movie nights stopped. Not only had he enjoyed the nights at home with a babysitter (where he could play his video games to his heart's content), but he also enjoyed the occasional times he got to tag along. Beau had been his usual welcoming and charming self upon their first meeting and it hadn't been long before the two boys were in cahoots, sometimes playing jokes on Cassie herself. She took it all in stride and acted annoyed when appropriate, but deep down she loved watching the two interact. Sometimes a little sadness floated up when thoughts of Andrew and especially her dad would pop into her mind, but seeing Beau and Kai laughing together at a particularly funny scene in the movie they both had voted to watch helped to ease that pain a little. The grief never really went away, and it never would, but it helped to make it just that tiny bit easier to deal with. Beau had attempted to have Emily join them for a couple of those nights, but there had always been one reason or another why it couldn't happen: Emily had plans with her friends, Carla didn't want to drive her so late at night without her husband, Emily was tired — the excuses began to mount up to a point that they could have made their own Jenga tower. Cassie was pretty sure that there was something more going on than the usual active teenage social life and constant disputes between ex-spouses, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Instead, she would watch as Beau's shoulders sagged a little more each time he hung up the phone and his eyes would dim with the sadness she knew he carried when it came to his family. Each time, she would do whatever it took to make him smile again, whether she would team up with Kai to make Beau laugh, or she would change the subject, or she would give him time to collect himself before the charming, fun-loving Beau would reappear. Those nights, she didn't pull away from his hand as quickly as she did the other times when he would reach for her even if Kai was present. She knew Beau needed the comfort she provided and, thankfully, Kai never asked her about the hand holding. He liked Beau and he seemed to be content to spend whatever time he could with their sheriff friend.

Despite all of this, and although she hated to do it, Cassie had told herself she would step aside for her friends. Yet each time she canceled on them, Beau appeared disappointed and offered to move the plans to when she would be available, to where Cassie would insist that he and Jenny keep to tradition without her. Beau seemed unsure but would ultimately agree to her wishes in the end. The closer she saw Beau and Jenny becoming, the more she knew she was doing the right thing, no matter how much it might slightly sting at times.

And currently, she had straight up told Beau she couldn't do any more movie nights for a while. She had Kai to focus on (not to mention she was dipping into her savings for babysitting at this point), she had the missing backpacker case to work, and she now had the ranch to move into. Beau stared at her with those clear green eyes for the longest time, his face not giving away anything. Cassie awkwardly shifted her weight to her other foot, the silence becoming uncomfortable in a way it never had before between them. "You get it, right?" She asked, not sure what his response would be.

He seemed to startle slightly back into awareness and tipped his lips up into a tiny smile. "Yeah, I get it." His tone was soft but seemed almost heavy, almost…sad, in a way. Before she could get a good read on him or figure out what could be making him upset, he cleared his throat and glanced at the case board in her office. "So, got any leads on that missing backpacker yet?"

Thankful for small mercies, she went with the subject change and launched into details of where the case stood now, with Beau listening attentively.

It hadn't been easy by any means, but her plan was working: the smile Cassie saw Jenny constantly throwing Beau's way when the woman thought no one else was watching proved it was, especially since Cassie saw Beau becoming more and more comfortable in his interactions with Jenny. They now even had their own inside jokes, and when Beau had a little trouble with the recent Trans Am case, he never reached out to Cassie, not once. Not that she expected to be looped into a Sheriff's Department case — that was their territory, after all — but she was surprised that Beau hadn't said a word to her about it given that he knew she loved cars just as much as he did, even more so. He hadn't even taken a picture of the car to show her, which caught her off guard even more because he always took pictures of the most random things while out and about to send to her with his usual corny one-liners. The last picture he had sent her had been of a sandwich one of his deputies had him try that came from Tonya's newest business venture. While Cassie could do without the diner's new cook and owner, she had to admit that it did look pretty tasty, and she hadn't blinked twice when Beau handed her a bag that had "Blue Fox Diner" printed on it at the next movie night, full grin on display next to Jenny's scoff of disgust. She would never tell Jenny, but that had been one phenomenal sandwich. She hated to think it but Donno definitely did have skills in the kitchen; Beau had been right. And she had told him so when Jenny excused herself to make a quick call from inside the trailer, making the man bark out a gruff laugh into the night air. "I told you. Now, don't tell Hoyt this, but Pop got me on the list to be a taste tester, too."

Cassie had arched a brow over at him. "Really? Oh, Jenny is going to love that."

Beau lifted a finger in warning. "Don't tell her. She's already on my ass about Tonya. If she found out about this…" He made a sweeping gesture with his hand, leaving the possibilities to be endless in their minds. But Cassie knew exactly what Jenny would have to say if she found out the man she had her sights set on volunteered to help the two former criminals, and Cassie herself would use the word 'former' loosely.

Cassie grinned and took a sip of her beer.

Beau tilted his head curiously at her. "What?"

She shrugged. "Nothing." At Beau's look, she chuckled. "I just didn't realize you cared so much about what Jenny thought."

Beau snorted and lifted his beer to his lips. "I never quite said that. Truth is, I just don't want her to keep focusing on it. Her beef with Tonya is already something she focuses on enough as it is. It's not good for her to keep ruminating on it and keep it all bottled up like that."

Cassie nodded in agreement. She had pretty much told Jenny the same herself, but she also knew the real Tonya and Donno like Jenny did. "She is right, though. Tonya and Donno are criminals, and slapping your face onto a realtor's sign and putting an apron on in a diner doesn't change that."

Beau sighed. "I know. But so far there's no proof that they're doing anything more than selling properties and making food. And some damn good food at that." Cassie couldn't argue with that.

After a minute of comfortable silence between them and Jenny still hadn't emerged from the trailer, Beau leaned in a little. "So this week, Pop said they're coming up with this sandwich that is guaranteed to knock our boots off. You in?"

Cassie shook her head. "I could never support anything those two do. But you have fun with that."

Beau gave her a nod and sat back in his chair, picking at the label of his beer. A minute had barely passed before he spoke again. "So I'll let you know when I get it?"

And without missing a beat, Cassie replied, "Call me when it comes in."

Beau snickered and offered his bottle up. Cassie let out a laugh and tipped hers to it, making the glass clink quietly before they both took a pull of the carbonated liquid. Both of them were still chuckling like children who had a shared secret when Jenny reappeared a few minutes later, looking at both of them and wondering just what had transpired while she had been gone. But she never got a chance to ask when Beau smartened up and teased her on how long she took and thank God they could continue the movie, which made Jenny's cheeks dust with a light shade of pink before she teased him back. Cassie watched the exchange with a polite smile, noting that warmth she felt thanks to her banter with the sheriff started to slowly fade, especially when she saw Jenny's teeth bite into her bottom lip when she would glance at the man, as well as when Jenny scooched over to sit a little closer to Beau than before.

She would be hard pressed to say it was a coincidence that she made the decision the very next day to start pulling out of their movie nights altogether. Jenny was her friend as was Beau; if they wanted to pursue something, she wouldn't get in the way and she wouldn't be the third wheel when it was obvious they wanted to spend more time alone together. It may have been even more of a coincidence (since that's what she decided she was going with) when later that week she dug into Donno's newest menu item with delight after Beau had snuck a call to her while Jenny was following up on a lead, and it not only had to do with the flavor explosion inside her mouth. And it was the biggest coincidence of all when a fluttery feeling appeared in her stomach upon hearing Beau's moans of appreciation next to her as he took a giant bite of his half of the sandwich and chewed. That fluttery feeling expanded to her chest when he turned to her, speaking around the mouthful of delicious food: "It's good, right?"

"Not that good," she teased. She feigned being grossed out and handed him a napkin. He used it, apologizing, but then watched as she took her own huge bite and mimicked his action. "So good," she forced out around the sandwich, making him laugh before he heartily enjoyed the rest of his food. Cassie might have been worried about passersby hearing their moans and groans coming from his office had Poppernak not been next to them, making as much noise as they were while they all ate the forbidden sustenance. She felt slightly guilty for indulging in this, especially behind Jenny's back, but she told herself it was just a sandwich. And Beau had been right; Jenny hated Tonya with a passion. Though Cassie couldn't blame her one bit.

Secret meetups to eat the unsanctioned food aside, Cassie had started to see less and less of Beau. As far as she knew, he and Jenny had continued their movie nights, and Jenny seemed happier than usual. Cassie was then convinced that she had made the right choice. It didn't keep her from missing her time with her Texan friend, though.

So when Beau would stop by the office like this to return a dish to Denise, which seemed to be happening more and more frequently as of late, Cassie relished the little bit of time she got to catch up with the guy she had bonded with in the last few months. Well, before he and Jenny became a thing, anyway.

She circled around her desk just in time to come face to face with Beau who now had the dish in both hands, shooting a wide grin over at Denise who let out a quiet giggle. A giggle! Cassie definitely needed to have a talk with her. This was getting too painful to watch.

"There she is," Beau drawled and approached Denise's desk, handing her the huge casserole dish, freshly cleaned. "You keep this up and I mean it, I'm no longer gonna fit in these jeans. Hell, I won't even fit in these boots pretty soon, and then I am in trouble, young lady."

Denise beamed at him. "I have no problem taking you to get anything you need to…you know, help fit better."

Beau let out a chuckle and shook his head. "You're gonna make me blush and I didn't think that was even possible. We don't blush down in Texas."

Denise went to retort when Cassie decided she'd had enough. "Alright, you two. Denise, seriously, you're still cooking for him? He's a grown man." She always teased Denise like this whenever Beau brought her dishes back. She would never admit aloud that she enjoyed seeing him as much as Denise did, and that she was thankful the woman continued to lend him her plateware that he would feel bound to return as soon as possible (when she could so easily give him Tupperware that didn't give off the same sense of urgency).

Denise shrugged but stayed quiet when Beau whipped around to face Cassie, letting out a "Hey! I'll have you know that this grown man who can cook for himself, thank you very much, appreciates every single bite of tasty food this lovely lady sends his way." He gave Denise an appreciative nod.

Cassie let both of them see her eyes roll and crossed her arms. "Heating up leftovers in a microwave hardly counts as cooking, Sheriff."

"Hey, I made you dinner the last time we had a movie night if you remember."

"You made me a panini."

Beau lifted up a finger. "Still counts as cooking. Though," he then turned to give a flirty grin to Denise. "It's nothing compared to what Denise here can come up with. I had no idea cauliflower could do that and boy was it delicious. Makes me wonder what else you can come up with." He finished the sentiment with a wink. Cassie could feel herself shrinking in second hand embarrassment when Denise let out another giggle. She could swear these two purposely did this every time so her eyes would never stay stable in her head and her face would freeze in a permanent wince.

"Thank you. Oh, I'll come up with something, don't you worry," Denise said proudly and then turned a triumphant smirk on Cassie as she moved past her.

Cassie shook her head in disbelief and locked eyes with Beau when he turned to face her. Each time he made eye contact with her, it was always startling just how green his eyes were. So full of spirit, mischief (most times when looking at her), and a light that she was thankful hadn't been dimmed by all he had been through before he came to Montana.

"So, what are you up to today? Still working on that missing backpacker?"

"Yeah." She hooked a thumb behind her towards the phone. "I actually just got off the phone with his parents. They still haven't heard a peep other than the email I asked you guys to look into."

Beau nodded. "We're still working on it but we'll get it done. So he sends them that email and then doesn't check in again afterwards? Weird."

Cassie bit her lip in thought. "Yeah, it's strange."

"To say the least." Beau's gaze flickered behind her briefly before settling on her again. "So, I was thinking, if you don't have plans already, how about a movie night tonight?"

Cassie could feel her heart sink to her feet. She hated having to constantly decline his invites that she knew he now only extended out of courtesy, because he knew where she stood.

Beau saw her expression and spoke before she could. "Now, hold on a second. Before you say no, hear me out: I know you're busy with work and Kai, but it dawned on me that while we watched all those rom-coms, we still have yet to see Better Off Dead. A pure 80's John Cusack staple! Now you know I'm a huge Cusack fan, and we don't have to do it at the ranch so you don't feel like you have to host. We'll do it at my place just like we used to. I even got some glassware after being inspired by the fancy glasses you had so now you can enjoy your drinks in style. You were right, by the way, glass makes the tequila go down even smoother. So make an exception and let the Cusack fan in me enjoy one of his best classics, just for tonight." He gave her his most winning smile. "Come on, whaddya say?"

Cassie dug her teeth even further into her lip. She wanted nothing more than to agree. She didn't have plans and she would be lying if she said she didn't miss the ritual they had come up with, but she didn't feel it would be right to accept. Not when things were going so well between him and Jenny. She slipped her hands into the back pockets of her jeans and glanced up at him sheepishly. "I wish I could, but—"

"What if I tell you that dinner will be included? I will cook and this time, it won't be a panini or leftovers. I can be a lean mean grilling machine. So how about it?"

She desperately wanted to say yes, if for nothing else than to be there to tease him as she watched the large man move around his very tiny kitchen, making his best attempt at what he would call cooking. Yet one thought of her blonde best friend had her turning him down, again. "I can't," she said apologetically.

The hope in his expression dimmed slightly and he gave her an accepting nod. "Plans already?"

"It's just…" She scrambled for something, anything. "Kai wants a friend to sleep over and I've been promising him for the longest time. And tonight is one of the nights I'll actually be home before dark, so…"

She could see his shoulders lower slightly in an all too familiar way though he did his best to give her an understanding smile. Before the guilt could settle in and before she could think too much on it, Denise appeared out of nowhere, glancing between them and then looking right at Cassie.

"Nonsense, Cassie, Kai can have his friend over another night. If not, I'm sure the babysitter can handle both boys just fine. Like you said, this is one night you might actually be done with work before dark. Live a little."

Cassie, who was shocked by Denise's interruption, attempted to say something but Beau spoke up just then. "That's okay, Denise. I get it." He then went back into charming-Beau mode and leaned in to the older woman to murmur behind his hand to her, "Could be that she's not really a Cusack fan and she's just afraid to tell me."

Cassie was relieved at the joke but she also noticed the sadness that seemed to be sitting behind that charismatic smile. Apparently, Denise saw it, too, because she became full on insistent: "No, she's a definite John Cusack fan. High Fidelity and Say Anything are some of her favorite movies—I saw them in her DVD collection when we were packing over the weekend." Cassie didn't miss Beau's eyes lighting up at that information. "She'd be happy to join you later, wouldn't you, Cassie?" Denise narrowed her eyes at the younger woman and gave a subtle jerk of her head in Beau's direction.

Cassie opened and closed her mouth a few times, looking back and forth from Denise to Beau and back to Denise. "I—yes, I'm a fan but…" Denise gave her a little encouraging nod out of Beau's periphery. Beau was also watching her intently, waiting for her answer, and Cassie felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. When did this become so complicated? And why was it so hard for her to do the right thing by her friends all of a sudden? "You know what?" At Denise's smile, she nodded and met Beau's gaze head on. "Jenny is a John Cusack fan, too, actually. Serendipity is one of her favorites. You should give her a call. I mean, you guys are still continuing the movie nights, right? I'm sure she'd enjoy seeing that one if she hasn't already."

Denise face-palmed but she straightened up before Beau glanced over at her. His expression was unreadable at that moment. His eyes flickered back to Cassie and he gave her a curt nod, giving her a smile that resembled more of a grimace. The hopeful light in his eyes from before had faded quickly. "Yeah, I'll make sure to do that. Thanks. Well, tell the little man I said hi and hopefully, we'll all get together real soon." Cassie nodded, unable to say anything else.

He then turned to Denise who snuck a look of disbelief over towards Cassie before facing the sheriff. "Denise, you're an angel. I'm telling you, keep cooking for me like this and I'll be rolling down the street. But don't you dare stop." He gave her another playful wink, which elicited another bashful chuckle from the woman, and then he turned another thin smile on Cassie. "See you later. Enjoy your night."

Cassie could only stammer out, "You, too."

He nodded, spun on his heel, and exited the building. The minute he did, Denise immediately rounded on her. "Cassie, what was that?"

Cassie frowned. "What was what? I can't make it tonight. I told you guys, Kai wants to do a sleepover." She was about to call her son and make the suggestion, just in case Denise pulled an impromptu stopover to make sure Cassie's story checked out. Her assistant could be pushy like that.

Denise scoffed. "You know exactly what I mean."

She let out a sigh. "Denise, it's… Look, it's complicated." When the older woman didn't say anything, Cassie continued. "You were here with Cody. You know how that went, and I'm not looking to repeat it. Besides, he and Jenny are good together. It makes sense and she deserves to be happy. So does he. Me being there would only get in the way of that." Cassie made her way back around her desk and sat down.

Denise nodded and approached her, thinking. "That's all true, but it seems to me like he's not too happy right now. And Cassie," The younger woman met the older woman's eyes. "You deserve to be happy, too. Don't forget that." She gave Cassie a kind smile and left to go sit at her desk, leaving her boss to her thoughts.

Ten minutes hadn't passed before the door swung open and a familiar Texas drawl could be heard filling the office.

"Cassie, you think we can talk outside for a second?"

Beau was staring right at her, his arm extended behind him in a gesture of open invitation. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and one discreet glance to see Denise's encouraging wave of her hand had Cassie getting to her feet. "Sure."

She ignored the look of relief filling his features and gingerly made her way past him to get to the door, overhearing Beau's "I'll bring her right back" and Denise's "Take your time" behind her. If Cassie wasn't so nervous, she'd be smirking. Denise's matchmaking schemes were shameless. She would never forget everything that Mark had told her concerning Denise when her assistant had been trying to push the two of them together: even if he and Cassie made better friends, which they found out themselves later on, much to Denise's disappointment, the woman had still done her damnedest to play Cupid. Now, her nerves were on edge because it was obvious that something had Beau worked up into a tizzy and he never asked to speak to her away from anyone before. Something was wrong and Cassie was worried she might have said or done something in her refusal earlier that got on her friend's last nerve or gave unintended offense.

Outside of the office, they moved to the side, out of the path of any passersby on the sidewalk, and she watched as Beau struggled to get out what he wanted to.

"You know, I feel like the world's biggest idiot. I work in law enforcement for God's sake, I'm a sheriff, and I somehow missed what was going on right in front of me."

Cassie narrowed her eyes slightly in confusion. What was he talking about?

"It's been so long since Carla and the divorce that I…" He licked his lips in the familiar display of when he was nervous. "When you have something good, you don't want to mess with it, you know? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Know what I mean?"

Cassie nodded, trying her best to follow along.

He took that as encouragement and continued. "So I figured in time and if it's meant to be, it would…you know…gradually…"

"Beau." His eyes met hers, full of anxiety. "It's okay. Just say what you're thinking. I'm here and I'm listening."

He nodded, letting out a breath, and then chuckled nervously. "I know you are. You always have been." He straightened up and held her gaze, affecting his best serious expression. "The truth is, I like you, Cassie. A lot. Always have." At her widening eyes, he rambled on, his nerves getting the better of him. "And I've been such an ass for not saying it sooner. I thought maybe it was best not to push it, you know? To keep it quiet on my end. We were becoming friends and you were seeing someone… I had just gotten out of a messy divorce and followed my ex-wife and daughter up to some state I barely knew. And then after…well, you just got out of a relationship and it felt too soon to say anything. I know you said you were okay with the breakup but I wanted to give you time. It didn't feel right not to give you that time, and I didn't want to make the wrong move, you know? Not just because you've become one of my best friends here but also because I wasn't sure what you would think, how you felt. And then it seemed like maybe you didn't think or feel anything like I did, that maybe you thought you and me were just better off staying friends, and I didn't want to ruin that. I'd rather have you in my life in any way I can than not have you. But after what you just said in there before, it finally hit me: I've been going about this all wrong, so I'm taking the chance and saying what I need to say before it's too late."

He took a step closer which made Cassie's heart jump into her throat.

"Cassie Dewell, I like you and I'm hoping you'll allow me to take you out to dinner tonight." Her mouth fell open in surprise. "On a date," he clarified.

Cassie was numb from the shock of his offer. "B-But…Jenny…"

She saw the relief return when she didn't outright refuse him at that moment, and he moved a little closer, chuckling. "She and I aren't a thing—we never have been. Is that what you've been thinking all this time? Is that why you've been backing out on me with movie nights?"

Cassie gave a slow nod, mystified.

He smirked and took her hand in his, like he had so many times before. She didn't even think to stop him considering anyone could see them right now, even Jenny who might drive up at any moment. "Darlin'," he huskily whispered to her, knowing full well how much she hated it when he called her that, but it also made that fluttery feeling in her stomach return. "The only one I've been thinking about, the one woman in Montana I've been crazy about all this time, is you. Don't you know that?"

Had this been anyone else, Cassie would have poked fun or rolled her eyes in disgust at the lines that clearly belonged in some romance novel in a clearance bin at the closest bookstore. But this was Beau, the same Beau she had gotten to know since their impromptu meeting in the parking lot of the community center months ago; the same Beau who showed her son how to safely start a fire in the firepit outside his trailer; the same Beau who made sure to check in with her during the time she and Denise went hiking on the same trail that missing backpacker had; the same Beau who had asked her about Cormac when he noticed a quick exchange between them after she introduced him to Sunny, and was supportive of her dating the young son of the campground owner should she choose to (which helped to enforce her belief that he and Jenny were definitely becoming a thing and he only saw Cassie as a friend); the same Beau who held her as she cried after she had fallen asleep during a movie one night and woke upon having a dream about her dad and the ensuing tears that happened that she just couldn't hold back; the same Beau who trusted her with his vulnerability when he talked about his daughter and his brother and his ex; the same Beau who was now looking at her with so much warmth and something else she couldn't quite place right then. It seemed familiar, though, and she realized she had seen him wear that look before, and often. She had seen it when he spoke with her, no matter who was around; she had seen it when he had taken her hand, when she had talked at that meeting; she had seen it when they spent time together, at their movie nights, even when Jenny had been there.

The thought of Jenny finally broke her out of her trance, and she took a cautious step back, gently pulling her hand out of his. She saw his smirk fall when she did and the worry surfaced in his green eyes. She gave him as kind a smile as she could, refusing to let her own sadness manifest. Jenny was her best friend and, even though she had never said the words, Cassie knew Jenny had feelings for the man.

"Beau," she started, seeing him swallow nervously. "I can't."

After a moment, he gave a slow nod. "Because you don't feel the same?"

She knew she should lie; she had to. Denise might be right—Cassie deserved her own happiness, too, but not at anyone else's expense. She opened her mouth to tell him that no she didn't, but instead the truth tumbled its way out. In the end, she just couldn't lie to him. "I've been here before, with Jenny, With…Cody… And I don't want to bring us back to that. She and I have been through too much together to go there again. She's my best friend."

Beau heavily sighed and ran a hand through his short locks. "I get that, I do. And I respect it. But Cass, I'm telling you, nothing is going on between her and I. We're friends, we work together, that's it. There's nothing there for either of us."

Cassie wondered if she should mention it. Would it be wrong to say something before Jenny herself had a chance to? Cassie tried to keep it as vague as she possibly could. "Maybe not for you," she murmured.

Surprise lit up Beau's eyes for a moment and then he nodded in understanding. "And even if I say I'll talk with her and explain things?" Resignation appeared on his handsome features, for he knew what the answer would be, yet he chose to ask the question anyway.

"It won't change anything," Cassie sadly confirmed.

Beau nodded again, licking his lips as he looked around before settling his gaze on her once again. He gave her a forced smile. "Had to try." Cassie understood and she appreciated that he wasn't pushing, that he was respecting where she stood on the matter. "Listen, uh, don't think that this… It doesn't have to change anything. Between us." He waited a beat and forced his smile into the cocky smirk he usually wore, obviously trying to resume the normal banter between them, like nothing had really changed. But everything had changed. "You're still invited to movie night. And now I know you love Cusack as much as I do, so if you bring the drinks, I'll make the popcorn. And of course, dinner is still an option—I really can cook, I can do it before we start the movie. I'm telling you, you're gonna love this one."

"I don't think it's a good idea. Jenny will—"

"I didn't invite her yet. I was kind of hoping you and I could…you know, go back to just us for a night. But, if it'll make you feel better, I can invite her, too. Just say you'll be there."

"I shouldn't."

He stretched his smile as wide as it could go though it never quite met his eyes. "Yeah, well, I'm not taking no for an answer. I'm telling you this film is a classic. You'll thank me later, so pop over around 8:30. You can bring Kai, too, if you want, though I'm gonna level with you and tell you that I don't think he'll enjoy the movie as much as we will." He looked at her for a moment, the regret laced in his expression, and he gave a final nod. It was obvious that with each passing second, he was struggling to keep up the facade. He cleared his throat uncomfortably and dropped his gaze to the ground. "I've gotta get back to the station. I'll see you later?"

Without waiting for her response, Beau started to turn and walk away, and something about seeing him leave, something about seeing how much he tried to tamp down his disappointment and hurt, had Cassie acting without thinking.

At lightning speed, she moved closer, grabbed the lapels of his jacket in her fists, lifted up on her toes, and pressed her lips to his. He let out a muffled sound resembling shock, but then she felt his arms wrap around her body and pull her up into him more. He moved his lips against hers carefully and, after a moment, he grew bolder and began to kiss her more firmly. When she felt his tongue swipe along her bottom lip, the fluttery feeling was back in full force for Cassie and she wanted nothing more than to lose herself completely to it. As the kiss grew slightly more passionate, she realized that perhaps this had been a long time in coming… But two people talking loudly across the street brought her crashing back into the present, and she regretfully pulled away, though Beau didn't let her get too far.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Cassie rushed out in a breath. "I don't even know why I did it. That was stupid of me, I'm so sorry."

Beau, who was doing his best impression of a deer in headlights right then, panted as he watched her intently, his eyes a shade darker than they had been a few minutes ago. His gaze constantly flickered from her mouth to her own eyes and back.

He slowly moved closer, gently cupped her cheeks, and softly kissed her again. After a moment, he broke away from her only to place his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. "I've been wanting to kiss you like that for the longest time. Ever since you whooped my ass on game night," he breathed out in a laugh.

Beau was referring to the rare night he had come over to her house after he had gotten to know Kai, when they enjoyed a sort-of family game night. They did try a few different board games but the real fun came when they gave Kai's video games a try. There was one racing game that Beau was determined to beat her at—he even had Kai cheering him on—but he never could. Cassie had laughed too long and too hard that night, nearly in tears from it all, and Beau had taken his licks like the good sport he was. He had claimed he had no problem losing to her over and over if it made her laugh like that. She didn't think anything of it at the time, but now…now, she knew better, and she wondered how she had missed it all of this time when it had been right in front of her…

Cassie wanted to tell him yes. She wanted to agree to go on a date with him, to see where this would lead, but she couldn't let history repeat itself. "I don't think we should do this."

He sighed and opened his eyes to stare into hers. "Cassie…"

"I'm serious. It's a bad idea, and I don't want to hurt her, I really don't. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt and threw it straight into the fire." He chuckled at that but she cupped his cheek, making sure he knew she meant what she was saying. "Jenny is my best friend. She means a lot to me."

He nodded and when she retrieved her hand, he let out a heavy breath. "I get what you're saying, but it seems to me that there've been some assumptions made somewhere along the way that shouldn't have been."

"Maybe." She went to pull away but he wrapped his arms around her waist and kept her there. Instead, he cleared his throat and straightened up, staring down at her. He studied her for a moment and, unsure of what he was looking for, her brow began to furrow. But he must have found it because his eyes lit up and he then gave her his signature grin.

Before she could ask what he was thinking, he nodded. "Got it. Won't mention it again." He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead and let her go. He shoved the cowboy hat in his hand on his head, beamed at her, and began to walk back towards where Pedro was parked.

Cassie felt like she had whiplash. It was only a minute ago when he appeared dejected by her refusal, and now he seemed happy as a clam, like he hadn't a care in the world. The man even started to whistle! What the hell?

She went to say something when he stopped mid-stride and spun around, looking as if he had just remembered the conversation they had been having. "So, I'm picking you up for dinner tonight at 8, right?"

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. Where had he gotten that idea on what she had said? "What? Beau! No, we are not—"

"Listen, I found this great steakhouse about fifteen minutes from here. Serves the best ribeye you've ever tasted. Well, outside of Texas anyway." That charming smile was back and his eyes were so bright and full of that familiar mischief that Cassie had a hard time hiding her own smile.

"Beau," she said sternly. "We are not going on a date."

Beau gave her a look. "Date? Who said anything about a date? It's just a little food and conversation between two friends."

"Beau…" She tried again.

"And we'll go for a walk in town after so make sure you wear some good walking shoes. You know I've gotta get my steps in after a good meal." He held a hand to his stomach before his smile widened and he continued down the sidewalk. "I'll see you then."

She took a few steps towards him, intent on him not continuing this misunderstanding. "Beau, I didn't—"

He stopped again as if he had another thought. "Oh, you can get a babysitter by then, right? Even with the sleepover? 'Cause if not, I don't mind a good ol' fashioned night in with a movie and pizza myself. And we'll let the boys pick the movie to keep it family-friendly."

At the mention of her son, Cassie softened slightly. "Beau…"

"As long as I get some time with Kai's beautiful mom later on." Beau gave her a sly wink.

Cassie bit her lip to keep her smile from spreading any farther. "I can get a babysitter but that's not—"

Beau's own grin widened. "Great. Dinner it is." He turned to leave but Cassie speaking pulled him up short.

"I didn't say yes."

He gave her one of his best smiles, full of teeth, and chuckled. "You didn't need to, darlin'. That smile right there is telling me everything I need to know."

Her cheeks heated up and she forced her eyes to the ground for a moment, trying to regain her bearings. How did this conversation get so turned around? One quick glance at him showed that Beau knew the effect he was having on her and he was enjoying it. A familiar feeling of irritation mixed in with endearment bloomed within her. "Still that cocky, good ol' boy from Texas, huh?"

Beau shrugged, unashamed. "Am I wrong?"

Cassie bit her lip, wanting to tell him that he wasn't. She wanted to throw caution to the wind, just this once. She knew she felt something for Beau, something she hadn't been willing to put a name to just yet, something she refused to water or shine a light on and let grow. However, now that she was faced with Beau's confession of having similar feelings to hers, for her and not for anyone else, would it be the worst thing in the world to give into the impulse for once? To explore what this was between them and see where it might lead—especially since Beau said there was nothing between him and Jenny? Cassie knew this was a risky line of thinking, that it was dangerously flirting with a flimsy justification, but one look at Beau's handsome expression as he beamed back at her, remembering how it felt when he took her hand, when he kissed her, when he wrapped her up in his embrace, when his hand rubbed her back as she cried…she found that she couldn't tell him no. She didn't want to. And maybe that made her the worst friend on the planet, but she'd be lying if she said there was nothing ever there between her and Beau before this conversation took place. Something had even been there that first day in the parking lot, despite him acting like an ass at first.

Still, she didn't want to betray Jenny. So instead she settled for a meaningful look she shot at the beaming sheriff standing across the way from her.

Beau took in her expression and his features instantly sobered. He gave a firm nod, turning back towards Pedro. "Got it."

Cassie watched him as he opened the door and before he got in, he glanced over and asked, "So, 8?"

She hated how well he knew her sometimes. Oh, what the hell. Cassie crossed her arms and gave him her best death glare. "7:30. I have a family coming by the office early tomorrow for a new case."

Beau laughed. "Copy that. See you then, sweetheart." He winked at her and then got into the seat, closing the door behind him. He started the car and drove away with Cassie giving him a small wave.

As she watched him drive down the street, she tried to ignore the jolt of guilt she felt at the memory of how she felt during that kiss, as well as the fact that Beau had asked her out and she had accepted. She thought back to the time she spent with him over the last few months: getting to know him, the laughs they shared, the conversations they had, how they had been there for one another, how he was with Kai, how his eyes lit up when he talked about his daughter — all of it. She actually found herself looking forward to dinner later though she had no idea what she'd wear. And to top it all off, she had no idea what the townspeople would say when they saw her and Beau out together on a date. It was already common knowledge that the sheriff and the only PI in town were good friends, but on a date? That was a different matter altogether.

Not that she cared what they thought, of course, but she knew the small town would do what they always did: gossip. Everyone knew everyone else here and that was how Jenny had come to ask her about the handholding at the grief support meeting. It would only be a matter of time before Jenny would hear about this dinner and she had a feeling Jenny wouldn't be asking as teasingly this time.

She sighed and turned to head back into her office. Guaranteed if Denise saw what happened through the picture window, she would be bouncing up and down with gleeful energy that would refuse to be abated. The cooking tear the older woman had gone on and Beau's frequent visits to the office to return the dishes when he could just as easily deliver them to her home — it was all starting to make a little more sense now, more than just some crush Denise had on the man. Beau had been tough on himself for being in law enforcement but not seeing what was right in front of him as he claimed? Cassie was a PI and she had missed what was happening right in front of her face this whole time, and not just about the feelings Beau confessed to having for her. She had been right though; Denise was back at it with her scheming to fulfill Cassie's love life. And in this instance, Cassie had never been more grateful.

She would talk to Jenny, hopefully without fists flying this time, and she would hope for her friend's understanding. Cassie had liked Mark, and she even liked Cormac, but something about Beau felt…different. Different and familiar all at the same time; it was a weird feeling, nothing she could articulate if she tried, and boy was she going to try when it came time to talk to Jenny, but she allowed herself a moment to revel in what Beau had told her before she would be bombarded by her overly enthusiastic assistant.

After a moment to process all that happened and a deep breath, she entered the building and saw Denise trying to be discreet but the smile stretching from ear to ear said it all. Cassie rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

"So I take it you saw all of that?"

Denise feigned surprise. "Saw what?" She then lifted her tea cup to her lips and took a sly sip. "The fact that gorgeous hunk of sheriff passionately kissed you? Or the fact that you kissed him first?"

Cassie crossed her arms, coming to a stop in front of Denise's desk. "Denise, I—"

The older woman held up a hand. "No need to explain. I got the full picture earlier." Cassie felt her cheeks heat slightly, and then saw Denise lean forward eagerly. "So, when is he taking you on a date?"

Cassie tried to keep the smile from taking over her face when she answered, "Tonight actually."

As Denise crowed over this revelation, Cassie couldn't help but feel a familiar sinking feeling, thinking that if this were any other guy, Jenny would be right there with them. She couldn't deny the light-hearted buoyancy that thoughts of Beau and the conversation they'd had moments ago stirred within her. Two parts of her seemed to be in a constant state of war. But ultimately, perhaps Denise had been right to remind her that yes, she, Cassie Dewell deserved some happiness, too. She just hoped that Jenny would be able to forgive her.