Page 27 of Secret Surrender (Harlow)

She held up both hands, then turned to continue her run, which turned into a quick walk since she allowed room for him to join her. “Sorry, I’ll cut it out, and while we’re making deals, maybe you can stop trying to trip me up in front of others? Oh, and promise you won’t tell anyone about our night together?”

“I never planned to.” His relaxed tone held an unmistakable sincerity.

She peered over at him, and her pitch lifted. “That easy?”

He’d given her hell at Maynard’s, and then again at the general store. She hadn’t expected him to agree so freely.

He shrugged, like their whole cat-and-mouse game never happened. “Sure, why not?”

“I just thought you’d… I don’t know…” She frowned ahead, for some reason struggling to admit the next bit. “I figured you’d try to score points with the guys in town. I’m amazed everyone hasn’t already heard.”

“Do I look like someone who cares all that much about fitting in?”

His comment prompted her to actually look at him, and his grin expanded, those cobalt eyes glittering above. His sheer size and generally unperturbed demeanor more than supported his point. She gave a small laugh in agreement and then stared ahead, keeping the silence as they walked.

If only for a while, maybe she could ignore the voice telling her that, “Lonely was best.” Dean here hadn’t betrayed her. Not yet, anyway. No point punishing him for other people’s shortfalls. So, she’d wait and see what he did with what little trust she gave him. Until then, she’d make sure he stayed clearly within the limits of this relationship, and only because he was set on staying in town.

“Friendship, nothing more. Okay?”

She peered back up to his frown, but he nodded all the same, out toward the long and dusty road ahead. “Sure. Now how about we pick up the pace? I wasn’t lying when I said I like a run.”

She quickened her steps, glad for the instant shot of adrenaline, all while not so confident the vow of “friendship” would stop at being friends.

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