Page 33 of More Than a Blind Date

CHAPTER 14

DALLAS

At the engagement parties I’m used to, we gather in the mess hall, eat cake, and congratulate the happy couple. This party involves cocktails at a rooftop bar, dinner, and a stay in a luxury hotel.

I feel very out of place.

Thankfully, I was able to snag a room on late notice, so that I didn’t have to book one at a different hotel. Although, from the chatter near the front desk, it sounds like many places downtown are full this weekend.

We dropped off our bags in each of our rooms, then headed up the elevator to the roof.

Rose straightens my tie, then rests a hand on my chest, which means she can probably feel my heart thumping. “I’m not going to tell you not to be nervous because I don’t know what tonight will be like. Mom might be cold. Who knows what Dad will do. And Sage will ask you lots of questions. But he’ll like you. I know he will.”

To keep her hand in place, I press mine on top of hers. “Whatever you need tonight, just say the word. And I mean that. You are why I’m here.”

“Thank you, Dallas. I’m not sure how I lucked into meeting you. And I’m not sure how to even begin to thank you for doing this for me.”

The doors open behind me, and Rose’s eyes widen in recognition. That’s my cue to start convincing people, so I press my lips to hers before taking her hand.

“Mrs. Finch, hi!” Rose squeezes my hand, then looks at me. “This is?—”

“Your new boy. Yes, your mother mentioned you were seeing someone.” She flashes a plastic smile in my direction. “We’re so glad you could celebrate with us this evening.”

“Dallas is my fiancé.” Rose is standing straight, her shoulders back. “And we wouldn’t miss celebrating with Cara and Sage. Dallas, this is Lisa Finch.”

“Evening.” I tip my cowboy hat.

“You’ll see Cara and Sage. Just join them at the tables in the corner.” Mrs. Finch doesn’t seem at all fazed by Rose’s correction.

I’m not sure whether to cut the woman a little slack since her information source is tainted or if I should jump immediately to dislike. She did call me a boy.

Rose waves at a couple on the opposite side of the roof and tugs me in that direction. “I want you to meet Sage and Cara before Mom shows up.”

Sage is sizing me up as we approach, and I can’t blame him. I’m with his younger sister. If I had a sister, I’d probably give every single one of her dates the same look. I’m determined to make a good impression and set his mind at ease.

I flash a smile.

Rose hugs both of them, then grips my hand. “This is Dallas, my fiancé. I’m so happy y’all are finally getting a chance to meet him.”

Cara hugs me. “She kept you a secret until very recently when she popped the news of her engagement. We’re so happy for you both.”

“It was as if she yanked you out of thin air.” Sage studies my expression as he shakes my hand using a little more strength than he normally does, I’m guessing.

But I can handle it. “It probably feels that way if she kept our relationship hush-hush. But after meeting someone so amazing, proposing just happened. It’s like it was meant to be.” I wrap an arm around Rose, who is beaming at me.

Sage nods toward the bar. “Dallas, you want to go with me to get us some drinks?”

“Sure.” I let my fingers skim the back of Rose’s dress as I step away. Hopefully my lingering touch will remind her that I’m not far away.

Waiting in line at the bar, Sage glances over his shoulder at the ladies, then faces me. “Treat her right. She acts all tough and ready to face whatever, but she’s…” He sighs. “Not fragile. She’d kill me if I described her that way, but she’s?—”

“Tenderhearted.”

“Yeah. Be careful with her heart, okay?”

“Absolutely. I’m not a player, Sage.” It’s easy to deliver that line convincingly because it’s true.

“Good.” He motions for me to order first.

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