Page 51 of More Than a Blind Date

He chuckles, which snaps me out of my haze. “Do you always attend galas in your bare feet?”

I hold out the heels. “Just haven’t put them on yet.”

“I can take care of that for you. You can use the wall to brace if you feel wobbly on one foot.” Then this man gets down on one knee, takes the shoes, and slips them on one by one.

“Thank you. I’ve never had a date to the gala before. Normally, I spend all day setting up, then stand in a corner and watch other people dance. I mean, I’m not rude. I visit and play nice. But right now, I feel a whole lot like Cinderella.”

He holds out his arm. “I’ll do my best to be charming.”

“Oh, I need my bag. We’ll have to tear down afterward, and I can’t do that in this dress.”

“That’s for sure. I should probably take a change of clothes also.”

“Just stuff whatever in my bag.” I clasp his hand. “I appreciate that you’re going with me. I know this fancy stuff isn’t really your thing.”

He gives an amused huff. “Seeing you like this is making me rethink that.”

When we get to the event, I kick off my shoes and look around for a place to tuck them along with my clutch. “I need to walk around and make sure all the arrangements are in the right place and look perfect.”

“I’ll hold your shoes and purse.”

I hand them over to my baby-faced cowboy. “So if we were really dating, would you still be so sweet?” I am trying to be funny, but when the words come out, I realize the many layers of mistakes tied up in one question. “You know what, forget I said anything.” I give him a quick kiss as my dad walks into the room. “I won’t be long.”

The last thing I need to do is reinforce that fake part because lately, all this feels real. But he made it clear in the beginning that he thought he was too old for me, and it’s not like the age gap will change. Has he let go of that objection? Or is he the world’s best undiscovered actor?

Dallas watches as I struggle to work through my mental list. Normally, the flowers consume me, but my brain doesn’t care about flowers right now.

CHAPTER 22

DALLAS

If we were really dating. The words play in my head on repeat as I watch Rose inspect every arrangement. Her passion for flowers shines in her smile. It makes me sad and angry that her parents have the family business to hold over her.

I’m not sure what will happen now that Rose is standing up to her mom. Rose did say that her dream would be to grow a field of flowers and run a shop. I have land. And Christmas is coming up. A field readied for flower seeds might be the perfect gift. I could put a fence around it. Maybe build a small building for potting and such.

If I’m going to do it, I need to hurry. Christmas is only a few weeks away. And getting closer every day.

Rose’s parents arrive, and I tense. There are others around, and I’m hoping that keeps them on good behavior.

Attendees start pouring in, and I feel out of place. This feels like me before, and I swore I’d never return there. Ranch life suits me better. But I focus on Rose, letting her needs outweigh my discomfort.

She tucks her arm around mine. “Fancy, isn’t it? Mr. Finch is on the board of this charity—has been for years—and we dothe flowers every year. Attending is pretty much obligatory, but I’d much rather be home in shorts and a T-shirt, watchingIt’s a Wonderful Life. Have you ever seen that movie? It’s old, but I love it.”

“Is that the movie where he has rose petals in his pocket?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s all excited because he finds Zuzu’s petals. That’s the part that I remember. And that gives me an idea.”

“What’s that? Are we going to plan a movie night where I can subject you to hours of Christmas movies?”

“Tell me when, and I’ll be there, but that’s not what I meant. I was thinking I should give you a nickname like cutesy couples do. I’ll call you Zuzu.”

She grins, nibbling her bottom lip. “I like it. And I’ll be thinking of what to call you.”

I should’ve kept my mouth shut about nicknames.

Mrs. Potts is making her way across the room, and I brace for the silent battle I know is coming. Then she waves, changes direction, and walks over to Richard. He looks like he was born for events like this.

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