Page 2 of Fake Dating an Orc Cowboy

The orc king’s emissaries formed a treaty with our governments, and orcs joined humans all over the world. Theybought property, set up businesses, and they interacted with humans on all levels.

I hadn’t met many orcs, but those I had were exceedingly polite and kind.

Like this one.

After swallowing, he spun toward me and gave me an adorable, tusk-filled grin. “This fly is amazing.”

My face hurt from my smile. “Fry.Flies . . . well, some people probably eat them, but not me.”

“Fry.” He garbled the word, and that only endeared him to me more.

He really was handsome. I slid my gaze down his bulky frame, taking in his lightly haired forearms where he’d rolled up his sleeves, his thick thighs outlined by the leather chaps. His waistline narrowed in nicely, and from what I could tell so far, he was a decent, good guy. What more could a woman ask for?

“Have another fry,” I said. “And dip it in the ketchup.”

Leaning forward, he scowled at the red puddle. “Is that blood?”

It was all I could do not to snort with laughter. “Nope. It’s crushed tomatoes, another vegetable. Ketchup is one of the seven wonders of the world. You’ll like it. I promise.”

His scowl didn’t fade as he tapped a fry into the shiny red surface. Popping it into his mouth, he chewed, his thumb-sized tusks working across his upper lip. Like our wisdom teeth, they must be an evolutionary hold-out. What had orcs eaten in the past to need teeth like that?

“By the fates,” he breathed, gaping at the rest of the fries. “This vegetable blood is amazing.”

Incrediblycute.

My phone buzzed with an incoming text, and my smile faded, because I could guess who wanted to chat.

Normally, I was happy to speak with my sister. We’d grown up close and nothing other than a guy named Jacob could drive us apart. Jacob being my ex-boyfriend—and her fiancé.

Might as well get it over with. I scrolled into my phone while the orc cowboy shifted in his chair and moaned while eating fries as if he was about to . . .

Hold on there, Rosey. He was handsome and my knight in green armor, but I didn’t pick up guys in bars.

Yet, my girly parts shouted, yet!

Just coordinating the final details for my CANCUN! WEDDING! to Jacob,my sister, Macy, who adored exclamation points, texted.Do you want a single room or are you going to share with Janie?

Did I have to go?

Actually, yes, I did. I was the maid of honor.

Oh, um, let me see,I replied.By the way,I CAN’T wait for your wedding!!I needed to lay off the exclamation points, but they were the only thing carrying me through this mortifying time in my life.

Sure, her fiancé, Jacob, and I had only gone out a few times before his gaze landed on Macy and it was over for me. But that didn’t mean my heart hadn’t felt the burn. I hadn’t loved him. Who could love a guy who took one look at your younger sister and ditched you within ten minutes?

But the thought of attending their wedding made me cringe.

I can’t do this without you beside me!Macy messaged. I was happy for her, because she and Jacob were totally in love, but still.The resort needs to know how many rooms we’ll need and the guest makeup of each one. Janie or a room by yourself? Please don’t worry about coming alone. One of Jacob’s friends is single, and I’ll ask him to dance with you at the reception.

Please, no.

Janie was one of her bridesmaids. As my sister’s maid of honor, I was feeling anything but honored to attend her wedding to the guy I’d started to care about.

I only wanted the best in life for my little sis. Him? Not so much, though it wasn’t his fault either. I’d wanted to find chemistry between us, but that didn’t mean I had.

He’d found it with her instead.

Imagine the torture of attending my sister’s wedding to my now-ex boyfriend without a date. I’d wince my way through the wedding and mope on the beach after with a tropical drink or two or three while she and her new husband celebrated their nuptials in every imaginable way possible.

---