Page 5 of More Than a Blind Date

“I am.”

Tanya’s exclamation has attracted attention, and now it seems the entire restaurant is waiting on Rose’s answer.

“Yes!” She launches toward me, and the last thing I hear before her lips meet mine is, “You won’t regret this.”

I am one hundred percent positive that I will regret it. And not just because my buddies will never let me live this down.

CHAPTER 3

ROSE

Igo in for a hug, but somehow, we end up mouth to mouth, convincing the entire restaurant that I want to marry this man. I’m not sure whether I initiated this lip lock or if he did. His kiss is gentle and tender until I graze my fingers along his jaw. Then it changes. His fingers thread into my hair, and he pulls me closer.

Long before I’m ready for this to end, he breaks the kiss and whispers, “Pretty sure your entire family will know you’re engaged before we finish with dessert.”

Cheers erupt in the room. None louder than from the table full of his friends.

I grip his hand, hoping that will help me stop shaking. “You’re probably right, and when they do call, it would be good if I knew your name.” Leave it to me to get fake engaged before I even know the man’s name.

“You can call me Dallas.”

“Okay. But just so that I know, am I calling you that because it’s your name or because you’ve opted to have a pretend name for our pretend engagement, and you don’t want me to know your real identity?”

“My name is Dallas Busch. I’m thirty-six years old, and I work as a ranch hand on Stargazer Springs Ranch.” He tips his head toward the table beside us. “Those are my friends. I won’t be offended if you go ask them about me to get confirmation.”

As tempting as it is to ask them, I stay in my seat. “How do I know y’all don’t have a preplanned script for when you pick up women?”

He squeezes my hand, then clasps my other one. “You don’t. So you’ll have to trust me.”

“True. And I don’t think thirty-six is too old.” I lean back as Tanya brings our food to the table, playing his name in my head. When I introduce him, I can’t hesitate, or people will know something is sketchy.

Tanya sets the plates down. “That was just the sweetest. I came over here to see if y’all needed refills, and I was just stunned. Rose, why didn’t you tell me you were dating this guy? Come on. Introduce me.”

Dallas tightens his grip on my hand, which I appreciate. I thought this whole pretend thing would be easy, but it’s far from it.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind romance, and we haven’t really announced anything. But this is Dallas Busch.”

Tanya slaps a hand over her heart. “Rose Potts, that is absolutely perfect. And adorable. You’ll be Rose Busch.” She slides her phone out of her apron. “Lean together and I’ll snap a picture for you to send to your parents. They are going to be so excited.”

I nod, not agreeing but choosing not to say that out loud. And if I’d caught the name thing, I would’ve simply introduced him as Dallas. It is cute though.

After snapping the picture and airdropping it to me, Tanya hurries away with a wave.

“Potts, huh?” Dallas glances down at our clasped hands. “Am I okay to let go? Think you can stop shaking long enough to eat?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I really didn’t expect to react like this. It’s all just so…” I shrug. “I don’t know what it is.”

“Crazy, wild, impulsive, insane. Those words kind of describe this well, I think.”

I pick up my fork, then set it down again. “It’s okay if you want to change your mind. I mean, I’ll just tell people we broke up. If she hadn’t walked up at that moment?—”

“I said I’d do it. I’m not changing my mind now.”

“Thank you, Dallas. I will forever be in your debt. And I’ll try to make this as easy on you as possible. I promise.”

“You won’t owe me. While we eat is a good time to iron out the details. What should I expect from the next six months and what are the ground rules?”

“I guess it’s a little late for a no-kissing rule.”

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