Page 49 of More Than a Blind Date

“Dallas, what happened with your ex?” Her question is quiet, hesitant.

And maybe because it’s the middle of the night and my guard is down, I open up. “She came from money. I had a full-time job and was doing okay, but she was used to a much higher standard of living. And for a while, she swore it didn’t matter.” I pause, remembering a period of time I’ve spent years choosing not to think about. “I proposed, and Colleen was happy, but her parents were not. And when she said it didn’t matter, I believed her. But one week before the wedding, that changed. Her parents told her that if she went through with the wedding, she’d be cut off. She had to choose, and she didn’t choose me.”

“She’s dumb.”

The unexpected response makes me laugh. “Looking back, it saved me a lot of heartache. She was happy as long as she was getting her way. I worked a job I hated because she thought it would be the best for us. It hurt when she dumped me, but marrying her would’ve hurt a lot more for a whole lot longer. And her parents ate the cost of the canceled wedding. I guess getting rid of me was worth it.”

“Why didn’t they like you?”

I wipe Rose’s foot with a towel. “The two reasons I heard were that I didn’t come from a good family. Good translates to rich in their lingo. And I’m short. Bad genes.” The irony is that because of the death of my parents, my financial status changed shortly after the breakup. I could have offered Colleen all thatshe was used to. But the blinders were off by then. This is information I decide not to share. Not because I don't trust Rose but because it doesn't matter.

She leans forward. “You aren’t serious!”

“Serious as a blister on the back of a heel.”

“Ugh. Those are the worst. And those people are insane. And awful.” She shifts into my lap. “And Colleen didn’t deserve you. Is that why you quit the job?”

“I quit when my parents died. For lots of reasons. Working was nearly impossible because of grief. And I decided life was too short to do something I hated. Then after a time, I applied at Stargazer Springs. Clint and Beau gave me a chance even though I’d never worked as a ranch hand before. They knew my parents, so I think that had something to do with it.”

She worries her bottom lip. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

I give a slight nod, inviting her to continue, but I’m a bit terrified of what she’s about to say. I’m happy with where things are currently, and that statement felt a lot like a we-need-to-talk bomb.

Still cuddled in my lap, she rests her head on my shoulder. “That night at the restaurant, I was in my car when the guy with the rose walked in. And when I stepped inside, I saw him walk out. I knew you weren’t the guy I’d been chatting with. But I wasn’t lying when I said I noticed you in the parking lot. And then I saw the rose on your table, and I acted like I hadn’t seen the other guy leave. I shouldn’t have deceived you. I’m sorry.”

I wrap my arms around her, relieved. “I bet your mom is sorry too.”

Laughing, she turns to look at me. “I’m serious, Dallas. I was desperate to find a fake fiancé, but what I really needed was a spine. And I found mine. And you’re a big part of that. Thank you.”

“I’m happy he dropped the rose on my table. Meeting you has been a highlight, Rose. I expect that we’ll be friends for a long time.”

She kisses my cheek. “I hope so. Now, you should get some sleep. You need to be ready to dance with me tomorrow night. And I cannot wait to see you in a tuxedo. That will be the ultimate Christmas present.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. I’ll still look like me. Just in a penguin suit.”

“You’ll look amazing.” She pats my chest.

Her smile falls away, and she swallows, her gaze still locked on mine. Moving at a speed that would make snails look like they’re racing, she leans closer.

For the last several months, we haven’t kissed when we’re alone. In the beginning we did a few times, and it made things complicated. But in this moment, I don’t care about complicated.

Arms still around her, I tighten my hold ever so slightly, and she understands that as consent.

She brushes her lips on mine, gently, hesitantly. And I let her set the pace. This kiss feels different. More connected. I’m an idiot for not shutting it down. But no part of me wants her to stop.

When I slide my hand up her back and into her hair, her lips part.

I’m not pretending anymore. And I can live with complicated until February.

CHAPTER 21

ROSE

Itiptoe down the hall. Dallas is still sound asleep on the couch, and I don’t want to wake him. Needing something to eat, I peel a banana. Munching my breakfast snack, I stand just inside the kitchen, staring. He’s shirtless now, unlike when we were kissing last night. Floofy is curled up behind his knees.

If this pretend engagement does end after Sage gets married, moments like last night are the ones that will stay with me. Forever. My feelings for Dallas have grown since this started. Three and a half months ago, he was just a hot stranger doing me a favor. Now, he holds an entire quadrant of my heart. And last night’s kiss gives me hope that Dallas shares my feelings. But any discussion of what happens after Sage’s wedding will wait until after Sage’s wedding. I don’t need to spend the next few months wallowing in heartache.

He stirs, and I step back so that he doesn’t catch me watching him sleep.

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