Page 79 of More Than a Good Friend

CHAPTER28

DAG

Gabby hugs me as she steps inside my cabin. “You realize this is getting weird.”

“I didn’t plan it. They asked. And what was I supposed to say?”

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe tell her that you’d rather she goes to the parade with you. Or that you’re crazy about her. Or that you think about her all the time. Or maybe just tell her you dragged your cousin on a double date just so you could spend time with her. Pretty sure any of those will do the trick.”

“I’m not arrogant enough to think that just because my feelings changed, she has to upend her life to make me happy. Luke seems like a great guy, and I’m not going to try to break them up.” I set my hat on my head. “Does that make any sense?”

Her head bounces, and she smiles. “I’d say you are fully reformed. That was a very grown-up thing to say.” She kicks up her leg. “Like my red boots? I bought them just last week, and I’m excited that I’m getting to wear them.”

“They look awesome.”

She hooks her arm around mine. “I hope they break up, Dag.”

Me too. But I feel guilty even thinking that.

When we get into town, Luke and Goldie are already there. They aren’t holding hands like they did at the zoo, and that gives me hope that today won’t be so torturous.

“Gabby, hi. It’s good to see you again.” Goldie steps closer, then hesitates.

And leave it to Gabby to go in for the hug. “This is going to be so fun. I just bought these boots, and what better place to show them off than at a small-town parade. Dag said that there will be a guy riding a longhorn. Isn’t that wild?”

Goldie laughs. “It amazes me every time I see it.” She turns her focus toward me. “Are any of the guys riding today?”

I shake my head. “Not today.”

Luke extends his hand. “Great to see you. I’m glad we were able to make this happen on short notice.”

“Yeah.” I scan the booths and spot Tessa selling donuts on a stick. “Not sure about y’all, but I want something sweet to eat.”

“Yum.” Gabby falls in step beside me. “I might have to do more hours on the treadmill tomorrow, but those look worth it.”

“Tessa’s donuts are the best.” I shake hands with Garrett as we walk up to the booth. As Beau’s son, he’s next in line to own the ranch, but here he is helping his wife sell donuts.

They started as friends and ended up married. But Tessa wasn’t dating anyone else.

I buy donuts for all four of us, and we wander to the tables set up near the food trucks.

Gabby and Luke carry the conversation. They talk about computers and other stuff that sounds like a foreign language. Goldie is focused on her donut, and even clueless me can see that something is bothering her.

Luke doesn’t act interested in Gabby, so I don’t think that’s the problem. I bump Goldie’s foot under the table.

Her gaze snaps to mine, and she smiles.

Conversation moves on to small-town life, and Luke tells stories about some of the trouble he caused as a teen. If I started telling those kinds of stories, we’d be here all day. It’s hard to picture him in a small town. Even when he’s in shorts, he wears a dress shirt. Untucked, but he’s still dressed up.

After an hour, Gabby stands. “I’m about to suffer a sugar crash. I need food.”

When I start to get up, she taps my shoulder. “Stay put. I’ll get it. What do you want?”

“Nachos.” When in doubt, I choose nachos because those can’t be messed up too badly.

“I’ll go with her.” Goldie smiles. “If that’s okay.”

“Totally great.” Gabby winks at me.

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