Page 54 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
“What about the other two? Anything new?”
Emma shook her head. “Still not sure how I’m supposed to get ahold of Sierra, and I haven’t reached out to April yet.”
Lizzy nodded. “Keep me posted.”
“I will.” She looked at the clock and sat upright. It was almost time for her riding lesson. “Lizzy, I’ve got to cut this short.”
“I should go too. My lunch break is nearly over. Oh, Sarah and I are heading out tonight. She says we need to get all the girls’ nights in before I become a boring, old married lady.”
Emma laughed. “Somehow I don’t think you’ll ever be boring. Not when you’re old, and certainly not because you’re married.”
“That’s what I said!”
Her tone had Emma laughing again. “Love you, sis.”
“Love you too. And have some fun today, you hear?” Lizzy started to giggle. “I mean, I can’t imagine hanging out at the ranch is a lot of fun, but try your best.”
Emma smiled, her heart already fluttering with the knowledge that even now Nash was waiting for her. “I’ll try.”
17
Nash could hear the crazy cacophony that was his extended family and friends the moment he stepped out of his truck.
He went around to Emma’s side and opened the door, holding up a hand, even as he said, “And you’re sure about this?”
Emma rolled her eyes, just like she’d done the last three times he’d asked on the drive over. She slid her hand into his, and let him help her down like it was the most natural thing in the world.
But that’s how it always was with Emma, he’d noticed. From their meals together to the riding lessons to the quiet conversation they shared last night before saying goodnight…
It all felt natural. It all felt...right.
“I’m as sure as I’ll ever be,” Emma said when she was at his side. “I think maybe you’re the one who’s not certain.”
He flinched. She wasn’t wrong.
Her smile was sweet and understanding. “Look, it’s not easy to lie to your family. If you want to change your mind—”
“No,” he interrupted. “I haven’t changed my mind.” He’d debated this six ways from Sunday, and he always came to the same conclusion. This was the best option for them both.
“Okay, as long as you’re sure,” Emma said.
“It’s not abiglie,” he said, sounding guilty even to himself. “We’re just playing pretend. I mean, it’s not the sort of thing where someone’s gonna get hurt.”
“That’s true,” she said. “And the fact that I’m leaving in ten days will make it that much easier to put an end to it all as soon as your sister’s wedding is over.”
“Precisely.” He gave a sharp nod. “I’ll just tell them that while we hit it off during your visit, we realized a long-distance relationship wasn’t going to work.”
“They never do,” Emma said.
He couldn’t tell if she was just being agreeable or speaking from experience, and he hated the stab of jealousy at the thought of her with any other man.
But of course she’d dated before. She was a grown woman. A beautiful woman. It was only a matter of time before some lucky fella figured out what a gem she was and swept her off her feet.
He clenched his jaw and started to walk for the house, then stopped and gazed down at her hand. Those small, delicate fingers had been tucked in his only moments ago when he helped her out of the truck, and well, since they were playing pretend anyway, maybe he just wanted that sensation again.
“Do you think…” He worked his jaw to the side.
Emma waited a beat, and when he didn’t fill it, she ended up giggling. “Still don’t bite, Nash. Just say it.”
