Page 90 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
Kit and Cody made a show out of scrambling away from her, too. For a second she was confused, but then Kit leaned forward. “Nash might seem like a good guy, and all, but we’ve noticed he’s lost his head over a certain blonde ranch owner.”
She snickered, embarrassment warring with wariness as she felt Nash’s eyes on her as he strode toward them.
“My brother’s right,” Cody said. “I mean, Kit’s an idiot, but he’s right on this count.”
JJ nodded, eyes wide as if scared. “Yes, ma’am. Nash is awfully protective of you.”
Her smile faltered.I only wanted to protect you.Wasn’t that what he’d said? And she actually felt like he meant it.
Did that make her a fool?
Maybe. Or maybe she was just seeing what she wanted to see.
You tend to fall for guys who don’t actually see you, they just see what they can get from you.
Much as Nash’s words were in her head, it was Lizzy’s voice that echoed as Nash drew close, his gaze wary after the silent, tense way they’d parted the night before. Barely a muttered goodnight had passed between them. And now they had to pretend all over again at a wedding.
She drew in a deep breath that did nothing to loosen the knot in her chest.
“You look beautiful, Emma.” Nash ignored his friends, who were giving them plenty of space now, though Kit gave her a wink from behind Nash’s back as they headed toward JJ’s truck.
Nash’s gaze was filled with appreciation as he took in the gauzy, flower-patterned dress and the hair that she’d managed to curl into soft waves. At least today her hair was cooperating. That was a step up from yesterday.
“Thanks,” she said, feigning cheerfulness as she took Nash in from his perfect hair to the tips of his boots that were shined to perfection.
It was truly unfair how handsome he looked in formal wear.
“Shall we?” He gestured toward the truck and helped her in like always.
And just like always her skin burned beneath her clothes where he touched her waist. Unlike every other time, she held her breath as he settled her into the seat.
She wasn’t sure she could handle his scent right now, not when the mere sight of him had her heart fluttering like a hummingbird.
He stood next to her for a little too long, and when she glanced over she saw him watching her with one hand on the passenger side door. His expression was taut. Grim, even.
“Nash, what is it?”
“I hate how things are between us now,” he said on a rush of air. “I know that’s my fault. But I need you to know—”
“It’s fine.” She cut him off rudely, and she knew it. But she didn’t want to hear another apology, or worse, another explanation for why he’d let his father think he was wooing her.
“It’s not fine, Emma. You’re not fine.” Frustration laced his voice. “You know I can tell when you’re lying to me.”
“I’m not lying,” she said. Anger and hurt had her clenching her fists in her lap even as she told herself she was over it. She understood why he’d done what he’d done. She could even believe him when he’d said he hadn’t meant to hurt her. But the truth of the matter was, he’d withheld information from her. He hadn’t trusted her to handle his father, and he hadn’t trusted her with the full truth.
He’d let her go into this situation blind, and that still hurt, even if she understood his motives.
“You’re not fine,” he said. His lips were set in a stubborn line as he crossed his arms.
She sighed, staring straight ahead. “Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters. I don’t want you upset.”
She shrugged. “I’ll be out of your hair soon enough and you won’t have to worry about it.”
“I don’t want that either.”
Her head snapped to the side quickly at the frustration in his voice. The anger in his eyes left her temporarily speechless. It wasn’t at her—she knew that. It was at himself. Or maybe his father.
