Page 105 of Cowboys at Coconuts

“Well done on managing your personal life and career,” Suzy said. “I know from experience it isn’t easy to balance both.”

Chuckling, Cheri said, “Red Bull helps.”

Hope squeezed Cheri’s hand. “Thanks for telling us now. Remember, you can tell us anything. That’s what friends are for.”

Alex waved Gus over. “I’m gonna need another drink, Gus. Maybe I should buy this round.”

Cheri, Suzy, and Hope swiveled toward Alex.

“Now what?” Hope asked.

Alex gulped. “Since we’re telling secrets today, I have one, too.”

Chapter 97

After their drinks were refreshed, Alex had trouble meeting Cheri’s eyes. When all eyes were on her, she blurted out, “There’s no easy way around this. I’ll come out and tell you, Cheri. When Cole came to Coconuts hoping to find you, he was so forlorn. I invited him to sit with me. He told me about your wonderful day in the woods and mentioned your hush-hush engagement. He was devastated, and so was I. I couldn’t believe you had kept such a major secret from us. Girlfriends don’t do that.”

Rubbing her eyebrow, Alex continued. “I told him maybe you didn’t know who you wanted to date. I mentioned your string of online dates. It was wrong. I shouldn’t have. It came out because I was angry with you for keeping secrets, plus I felt sorry for Cole. It was childish.” Wincing, Alex said, “I felt for the guy. He looked like a lost, wet puppy.”

Cheri’s eyes filled with tears. “He did?”

Alex nodded. “Oh, yeah. I wanted to prop him up. Again, it wasn’t my business to tell him. I’m really sorry. There’s more.”

“More?” Taking a healthy sip of Angry Balls, Cheri said, “Do I want to hear this?”

Running her fingers through her hair, Alex said, “After you graciously let me use your gorgeous penthouse apartment, I repaid you by snooping through your closet.”

Both Hope and Suzy gasped and said, “Alex!”

“I know. I know. I shouldn’t have, but your closet is amazing. It was like a magnet pulling me. When I saw the jewelry armoire, I went in and noticed the blue Tiffany’s box.”

Cheri’s mouth fell open. “So you already knew I was engaged?”

“I guessed. That was a stunning, over-the-top, humongous diamond, by the way.” Alex paused. “I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“I forgive you but—” Cheri’s eyes filled with tears. “Guess I can kiss the cowboy goodbye.”

“Why?” Alex asked.

Cheri ticked reasons off on her fingers. “Number one: I lied to him. Number two: He met my fiancé. Number 3: He knows I’m a mess and dated several men. Number 4: He’ll never trust me. Should I continue?”

Hope bit into a crab cake. “Don’t give up on him. If he’s truly smitten, and if you are, too—and it sounds like you are—you’ll make it work.” Eyes twinkling, she said, “I know I don’t date, but I have all the answers. I’m a high school counselor-slash-magician.”

Nodding, Suzy said, “Don’t let the cowboy get away. That’s my advice.” She winked. “And I know a thing or two about couples.”

Drumming her fingers on the table, Cheri said, “Okay. You’ve convinced me. Now I need to get up my nerve.”

Alex put her hands on her hips. “I have a question. Why the hell were you dating guys off the Internet if you were engaged?”

“That’s another ridiculous antic I’d like to take back.” Tracing the rim of her glass, Cheri said, “I guess I wanted to make sure Sebastian wasn’t the one. After meeting so many loser guys online, I almost decided to make my engagement work.” Grinning, she said, “Then, I met a certain cowboy.”

“You like him, don’t you?” Suzy asked.

“A lot. He’s different in the best way possible.”

“What have you done together?” Alex asked.

“Danced, played pool, went to a hillbilly pool party.” Brightening, she said, “Oh, and we went to a drive-in. It was my first. Our last date was our infamous campin’ date. Then, Sebastian showed up and the rest is history.”

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