Page 9 of More Than a Blind Date

“Oh, and the ring was a rose. Super cute. She did a great job picking it. Anyway, I’m guessing she asked you to keep the real reason for the engagement a secret. Not that I don’t think you look happy with her, because I do, but I know you. So don’t tell me. Just answer the following yes-or-no questions honestly. How does that sound?”

“Honestly, this all feels a little like torture.”

“You are going to need backup to sell this story. And I’m your guy. But I need some info.”

I sigh, knowing he’s right. “She’s in a frustrating situation. I’m posing as her fiancé for six months. But absolutely no one can know this is fake. And, by the way, she’ll be my plus one at your wedding.”

A wide grin spreads across his face as we turn into the ranch. “I see white picket fences in your future.”

“Shut up.” I park in front of the main house. “Are you going to help me?”

“Yep. I like seeing you happy.”

I roll my eyes, then slide out of the truck.

Dag laughs when I step into the game room. “I never believed in aliens before tonight, but that’s the only explanation. What happened to the real Dallas?”

Before I snap back, Anderson says, “Love is a funny thing. It sneaks up and grabs you when you least expect it. You of all people should know about that, Dag.”

Parker drops into a chair. “Except with Dag, love beat him over the head for a few years before he recognized what it was.”

“Some of y’all pretended it was fake.” Tyler starts shuffling the cards, intentionally avoiding eye contact with Parker.

Kent carries in a tray of snacks from the kitchen that Ava prepped for us. “What are y’all talking about?”

“Love. But some of y’all pretended it was just friendship for way too long,” Grayson says.

I always find it funny when he slides into the conversation. He’s quiet, but he can get jabs in with the best of them.

Anderson takes a seat. “I’m happy for Dallas. I think he and Rose will be very happy together.”

Tyler looks up from the cards. “Rose? That’s awesome. Y’all were made for each other.”

I’m already tired of the rosebush jokes. “That’s gold coming from someone married to Jasmine Rice.”

Not all the guys’ wives have funny married names, but several of them do. And before tonight, no one has teased them.

“Y’all are not allowed to give Rose a hard time. No one gives Poppy Meadows a hard time, right, Kent? Parker, how would you feel if these guys teased Bluebonnet Fields?”

Archer snickers.

“Don’t start, Archer. You’re married to Violet Hayes.” Now I’m on a roll. “And after the wedding, Anderson will be married to Primrose Lane. The teasing ends tonight.”

Grayson takes the cards from Tyler and starts dealing. “They weren’t making fun. Just saying y’all are meant to be. Congrats, by the way.”

“Thanks.” I’m pricked with guilt because these guys seem genuinely happy for me.

Dag drops into the chair beside me and holds out his phone. “I got a video of the proposal. At least the end of it. Want me to send it to you?”

“Sure. Yeah. Thanks.” I scoop up my cards and try to think strategically. But it’s hard because I keep thinking about Rose.

Later, I’ll give her a call.

Parker slides two cards toward the middle of the table. “I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone, Dallas.”

Anderson chuckles. “Dallas has all kinds of secrets we don’t know about.”

Looping in my friend was a great decision. Plus, he’s closer to the truth than he knows. I have a couple of big secrets. Rose is only one of them.

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