Page 45 of Extreme Romancing in Idaho

“Then what’s the problem?” After placing the screw, Blake grabbed the screwdriver and tightened it.

How could I describe my situation without lying to Blake and giving away too much information? He’d be the one who could help me. His wife was Angie’s best friend, and I needed all the help I could get. Maybe he’d provide insight into the situation I’d gotten myself into.

Watching her and Smoot from the front window of the Bearded Axe had made me sick to my stomach … the way his hands had possessively gripped her shoulders and how he’d dropped one to her lower back. I’d been tempted to go show her what it was like to be kissed by someone who knew what he was doing. Not by some guy as worthless as teats on a bull.

Crouching forward, I looked from side to side, listening for any noise in the quiet house. I pressed my index finger into the soft gray carpet, drawing smiley faces into the threads. “Where are Lili and Maddie?”

“They’re having a movie night at Renee’s.”

Good. I leaned against the wall. “I’m starting to like Angie.” My feelings were substantial enough that I didn’t want to deny myself the opportunity to hold her, or to kiss her like a woman deserved to be kissed. “Like. I like,likeher,” I confessed, sounding identical to a middle schooler.

The assembly instructions floated to the floor. Blake analyzed me, then Myles. “Is this some sort of prank?”

Myles didn’t say anything and took another sip of his beer. I knew his opinion: Women couldn’t be trusted. Where I used to agree with him, lately, I’d started changing my mind. It all centered on Angie and why I couldn’t get her out of my thoughts.

“No,” I answered. “Not a prank. You have to promise not to tell Lili.”

“You think I’m stupid. I value my marriage way too much. Lili and her hormones are like a hurricane. Right now, I’m enjoying being in the eye of the storm.” He grinned from ear to ear.

I didn’t expect the joy evident on Blake’s face.

Myles pointed to me with his bottle. “You’re happy about this?” he asked Blake.

“Are you kidding? Remi’s not addicted to any illegal substances, and he’s not unemployed living in his parents’ basement or in jail. Plus—” Blake moved to a standing position. “I bet Lili you’d be head over heels for Angie in two months. She guessed six.”

“What?” I held my hands up in surrender. “This is a crush. I’m trying to figure out how to get over it.” Usually, it was simple. I’d take the girl back to my place, show her a good time, and we could both move on. With Angie, I couldn’t risk tanking the deal for one night of fun.

Blake took my hand and pulled me to stand next to him. “You still have time.” He set down the drill. “But while we’re on the subject, do you see yourself falling in love with her?”

“Hell no.”

I lowered my gaze to the carpet. Being asked thisquestion point blank made me pause and look at my feelings for Angie with a critical eye. She was stubborn, determined, smart, drove me hella insane, challenged me at every turn, and all her fire was packaged in beautiful curves.

But I didn’t love her, and I never would. She wanted marriage and the whole package, and I couldn’t offer her that. “I’ve known her for less than two weeks.”

“And I fell in love with Lili in two weeks. Time is relative.” Blake went back to his instructions. “The piece marked A inserts into the corresponding board, but I can only find one board with an A on it.”

“It’s not that easy.” I ran my thumb over the ridges on my bottle cap.

The screwdriver in Blake’s hand paused mid-turn. “What do you mean?”

I wanted to yell,I’m here to buy her farm.The source of her happiness and joy, the thing which defined her, would be ripped from her only in a matter of time. I never failed. And I wouldn’t this time.

“I’m not from here. At some point, I’ll have to go back to my life in Dallas,” I said instead.

Myles laughed, shook his head, and took another swig of his beer, an onlooker in this conversation rather than a participant. I shook my head at him, warning him with a look not to slip up.

If one person in town caught on to who I really was, it’d ruin everything. I’d been blackballed from my fair share of small towns.

“That’s not a big deal. Lili left St. Louis to be with me. And I would have moved to St. Louis for her if she’d decided to stay.” Blake skimmed over the instructions, twirling the Philips in his hand.

“I can’t leave Dallas. I’m anchored there.” More by my Bugatti and my parents’ pool house, not by my family.

“Well, Angie will never move from her land. It means everything to her.”

So, I’d noticed.

“If you’re not willing to make concessions, you, my friend,” Blake pointed the tip of the screwdriver at me, “are screwed.” He looked away from the instruction manual. He dropped the papers to the floor. “I can’t focus. What kind of relationship do you want with Angie, anyway?”

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