Page 33 of Just Say When

“Do you know how to clean a bathroom? Like, scrub toilets? Do you rinse your beard hair out of the sink every day?”

I stared at her unblinking. “What do you think?”

“I think I’ve heard horror stories about what it’s like to live with a man, that’s what I think.” She crossed her arms. “I think I remember sharing a bathroom with my brother for most of my life.”

“I keep my bathroom clean.” I enunciated every word slowly and distinctly.

She eyed me doubtfully. “We’ll see.”

I swallowed a laugh.

“You won’t be able to date other women, you know. Not that I care what you do or who you do it with, honestly, but I’m not going to have people pitying me behind my back, whispering about my husband stepping out on me. I’d have to set your truck on fire just for appearance’s sake. No hard feelings.”

“Noted.” I cleared my throat. “We should have a wedding.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Is that really necessary?”

“For appearances.” I shrugged and she started pacing again. “The horse community is small and people talk. We’re not breaking any rules, but if competitors find out, we won’t have any friends left, and you won’t have any clients.”

She stopped pacing and looked at me. “Oh.”

“We don’t have to do this, you know. I can ride. Not at level four, but I could make a decent showing at level two.”

Essie’s stare was withering. “This is Pirate’s future we’re talking about. I didn’t steal him from that asshole’s backyard just so you could make adecent showingat level two.” I couldn’t hide my grin. My hellion was nothing if not competitive. “I want to ride him. I want to win. We can do this. Wearedoing this.”

“You’re sure?” I asked.

“Stop making this seem like a big deal. It’snot. People get married and divorced all the time.”

“Alright, then. I guess that means I have a questionto ask you.” I stood, came around the desk, and took her hand. She eyed me with deep suspicion. “Essie Louise Price, will you marry me?”

She looked to the ceiling, as though awaiting deliverance in the form of fifty thousand dollars landing at her feet. When that failed to happen, she sighed deeply and gave me her answer.

“I guess so.”

14

Essie

“R

eady to cause a ruckus?” I asked as I flipped down the sun visor to check the mirror. It was a brisk September day full of glorious sunshine and I hadn’t been able to resist rolling down the window. My reflection showed I was a little windblown, but still appropriate for Sunday dinner with my soon-to-be in-laws.

“Hellion,” Brax warned. He had opened the passenger door for me to get out, but now he leaned into the triangle of space, one hand on the door, the other on the frame of the truck above my head. His large body blocked out the blue sky—and my exit.

“What?” I asked, blinking up at him innocently.

“I thought we were going to tell them the truth.”

“That’s exactly what we’re goingto do. Truth makes a bigger commotion than a lie, in my experience. And when the truth is we’re going to commit to a whole-ass marriage just for the chance to win a hundred grand and get Pirate a championship trophy? Yeah. That’s going to be a big ruckus. Your family is going to think you’ve lost your mind. Steady, dependable Brax in a sham marriage?” A slow grin spread across my face and I shook my head. “No fucking way.”

He stepped back to let me out. “My family isn’t the one I’m worried about. Your mom is going to crack my balls like walnuts.”

“Can you crack balls?” I tilted my head considering. “I guess if you squeeze tight enough, something is bound to pop, at least. Maybe?—”

“Don’t,” Brax cut me off. He did look a little green. “Not another word.”

I laughed. “This was your idea, remember.”

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