Page 63 of Unexpected Entanglement

Rowan gave him the side-eye.

“Okay, what’s with this hat?” Chris turned a little to face her. “Why is it so important to you?”

“It’s my dad’s hat, okay?” Rowan replied.

“Oh.” He clammed up.

“Come on. Let’s get this over with.” Rowan got out and looked for Kieran’s truck. It didn’t look like he was there yet. It was almost five-thirty when the meeting usually started.

Chris met her by her side of the truck and touched her elbow. “Hey, sorry about the hat. I didn’t know.”

Surprised by his apology, she just nodded.

“We’ll find your dad’s hat,” he promised. “Though I must say you look good without it.”

Chris’ eyes scanned her from the top of her head to her feet in one slow sweep. Rather than her usual work clothes of shorts and a T-shirt, Rowan leveled up her outfit to a pair of jeans and a pine-needle green blouse for the night. Though the boot on her left foot ruined the little effort she’d put in.

Chris didn’t seem to notice it. Now, Rowan knew he was used to ritzy women, but the appreciation in his gaze felt real. It created a major heat that was melting her inside.

Kieran’s truck pulled in and parked next to them. “What are you love birds waiting around here for? Let’s go,” he said as he got out.

Chris took Rowan’s hand in his and followed Kieran in. “We got this.”

I can do this. I did theater at school.

Rowan put her head into the game and reminded herself of the backstory they’d worked on together.

Just stay as close to the truth as possible. Keep it simple.

When they got in, all heads seemed to turn in their directions, at least to Rowan. She paused just beyond the threshold of the meeting room, filled with rows of plastic chairs. Business owners from the stretch of Main Street were all there, as well were service-oriented proprietors like Bobbie and Greg.

“It looks like most of the town is here,” Rowan whispered.

“Really?”

“Well, sans spouses or children.”

Kieran had already picked a seat, and they were about to follow him when Bobbie stopped them in their tracks.

“Is it true?” Bobbie glanced at Rowan and Chris’ clasped hands. “Is congratulations in order?”

Rowan hated lying to her friends, so she just smiled with a little shrug.

“Oh, my god!” Bobbie threw her arms around Rowan.

“Shhh… we’re trying to keep it on the down-low,” Rowan said with a chuckle.

“I think that’s out of the window, Ro. The whole town is talking about it,” Bobbie said.

“Seriously?” Rowan rolled her eyes.

Bobbie smiled at Chris. “You got yourself a good woman here.”

“I know.” He smiled back and looked at Rowan with adoring eyes.

Her heart skipped a beat as his hazel eyes seemed to take in every detail of her face, as if she was the most fascinating creature he’d ever laid eyes on.

He’s good.Even Richard never looked at me that way.

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