Page 18 of Fore-Ever Yours

“Yes, we’re looking forward to it.” Beth flashes them a sweet smile and then gently tugs me away from them toward the fire pits.

“Wow, that was…” I trail off, unsure what to say.

Beth chuckles. “Intense? Welcome to small town life. Everyone knows everyone and their business.”

“And we’re the newest piece of business, it seems.”

“Just for a few more days,” Beth replies, looking up at me with determination in her eyes. “Then we’ll be hundreds of miles away from their prying eyes.”

As we make our s’mores, the woman from Coffee Loft, whom I now know as Ashley, joins us.

As I watch Beth talk, her eyes light up as she laughs freely. She’s a kind person and loves big. This community adores her, too.

“Oh, here comes my brother.” Beth squeezes my hand and turns to me as she whispers, “I’m not sure how he’s going to react.” She pauses for a moment. “I’ve never brought a guy home.”

I try to resist showing shock on my face but I think my eyebrows betray me.

“Just be prepared. It could go either way.” She shrugs like this is a completely fine scenario. “Did I mention he’s a police officer? He might interrogate you.”

“Well, now I’m nervous,” I manage to joke, my heart pounding a little harder in my chest.

“Oh, don’t worry. He only knows how to make it look like an accident.” Beth laughs, squeezing my hand once more before letting go.

I see the man in the uniform heading our way. There’s no mistaking they are siblings, but he looks older, a few grays showing on the sides of his head.

“Ethan!” Beth calls out excitedly, opening her arms in anticipation of a hug. The man’s stern expression breaks into a smile as he engulfs his sister in a warm embrace.

Pulling away, she gestures toward me. “Ethan, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Matthew.”

He grins knowingly at his sister and then claps me heavily on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I won’t give you too much of a hard time. As long as you treat her right, we’ll get along just fine.”

Ethan’s words hang in the air, a warning disguised as reassurance. He seems like a good guy, and I can tell his protective streak runs deep when it comes to his little sister, which I can relate to.

“I plan on doing just that,” I reply, meeting his gaze head-on.

He studies me for a moment longer before breaking into another grin. “Good man.”

Ethan turns to Ashley. “Care for a hot chocolate?”

“Sounds wonderful!” Ashley waves goodbye to us and disappears with Ethan into the crowd.

As they walk away, I turn my attention back to Beth. Her cheeks are slightly flushed from the cold.

“I didn’t know they were together.”

“Funny you say that. They aren’t, but I think my brother likes her.”

“Should we have the Madame C’s work their matchmaking skills?” I nod toward the women who are watching us.

She lets out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “I think they have their hands full with us.”

The fairy lights strewn across the square flicker on, casting a soft golden glow on everything. Beth’s eyes look even more captivating under the twinkling lights.

“You know,” she says. “This is actually really fun.”

I turn toward her, my brow quirking in amusement. “What? You didn’t think pretending to be madly in love with me would be enjoyable?”

“I didn’t know what to expect.” She looks at me with those doe eyes. “But yes, being your pretend girlfriend for the day was more enjoyable and easier than I anticipated.”

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