Page 49 of Wrangled Love

I sputter into my glass before setting it down. “Sorry. Are you the one who saves chickens?”

Briar has mentioned her friends’ names before, but I can’t keep them straight. It would’ve helped if she’d had them over since Caleb and I got to Bluebell, but she usually meets up with them in town. Now I’m left at a disadvantage, sitting across from one of them, and I’m not sure if she’s going to continue to make small talk or start an interrogation.

Charlie shakes her head. “That’s Birdie. I’m the getaway driver and distractions creator when things go sideways and we need a quick escape.”

I motion to her ensemble. “And what mission is it you’re on tonight?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” She slides her sunglasses off, tucking them in the V of her shirt. “I’m working double duty as a spy and a matchmaker. It’s exhausting. Thank god I ordered an appetizer.” She slides a basket of chili cheese fries between us that I hadn’t noticed earlier and plops one into her mouth.

While she’s distracted, I look over at Briar and her date. He’s busy scanning his menu, but Briar’s stays closed, her eyes darting to the clock on the wall every few seconds. Maybe she’s not enjoying herself as much as I thought she might.

“They’re takingforeverto order,” Charlie says, making me turn back to her. “The hotshot lawyer is from Californiaandvegan, so he’s had a million questions about the menu. He’d better plan on leaving a big tip because their server is ready to throw him out if he asks about the dairy-free options one more time.”

“He sounds high maintenance,” I say, doing my best to hide how pleased I am. “You still haven’t told me why you’re here orhow you knew I’d show up.” Hell, I only figured it out an hour ago. “Were you not a fan of her going out with the lawyer either?”

Charlie’s smirk tells me I’ve admitted more than I should.

“Actually, I set them up,” she says smugly, grabbing another fry.

“Youwhat?”

She leans across the table, giving my arm a patronizing pat. “Relax, urban cowboy. It was for your benefit since you hadn’t figured out what was staring you in the face.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” My voice rises, earning a few curious glances from nearby diners.

“Word on the ranch is that you can’t stop making googly eyes at our girl.” She smirks.

I blink, my mouth falling open, but nothing comes out. My first instinct is to deny Charlie’s claim, but images of Briar over the past few days flood my mind. Whenever I see her, I’m unable to look away, mesmerized by how damn beautiful she is.

“Who told you that?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

Charlie shrugs. “A lady never reveals her sources, but you didn’t deny it, and that says a lot. Now, shh.” She presses a finger to her lips. “We’re supposed to be flying under the radar here.”

“Your wardrobe isn’t doing us any favors,” I mutter.

“I heard that,” she says, sipping her drink. “You should be nice, considering I know where you sleep.”

“God, you’re terrifying.”

She grins. “Thank you.”

I roll my eyes. “It wasn’t a compliment.”

We’re so caught up in our conversation that I almost miss Briar’s date setting down his menu and reaching for her hand across the table. I grit my teeth, bracing for the possibility that she might be receptive. But before he can touch her, she lifts her glass, taking a drink of water and offers him a tight smile.

“Thank god,” I mutter under my breath.

She obviously isn’t interested in his attempt at physical contact and that makes me breathe easier.

Just when I think that’s the end of it, the hotshot lawyer moves his hand under the table, leaning forward to rest it on Briar’s leg. She stills, her smile faltering as her mouth forms the word “no.” But when she tries to move away, he chuckles, tightening his grip and ignoring her protest as if he’s entitled to her personal space without permission.

“That motherfucker,” Charlie hisses.

She’s halfway out of the booth, ready to raise hell, when I slide out first and step in her way, blocking her from getting out.

“I’ll handle this,” I say firmly.

I storm toward Briar’s table, my fists clenched at my sides with retribution on my mind. I’m usually a level-headed person, but when a man crosses a boundary with a woman, all bets are off. Especially when he dares to touch the person who’s become important to me.

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