Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
ROSE
I tiptoe down the hall. Dallas is still sound asleep on the couch, and I don’t want to wake him. Needing something to eat, I peel a banana. Munching my breakfast snack, I stand just inside the kitchen, staring. He’s shirtless now, unlike when we were kissing last night. Floofy is curled up behind his knees.
If this pretend engagement does end after Sage gets married, moments like last night are the ones that will stay with me. Forever. My feelings for Dallas have grown since this started. Three and a half months ago, he was just a hot stranger doing me a favor. Now, he holds an entire quadrant of my heart. And last night’s kiss gives me hope that Dallas shares my feelings. But any discussion of what happens after Sage’s wedding will wait until after Sage’s wedding. I don’t need to spend the next few months wallowing in heartache.
He stirs, and I step back so that he doesn’t catch me watching him sleep.
He’ll want coffee, and I can definitely use a cup. So I get a pot brewing, then pour kibble into Floofy’s bowl.
My kitty meows as he runs to the bowl, and I pull a package of breakfast sausage out of the freezer.
“Hey.” Dallas pulls on a shirt as he walks into the kitchen. “Sleep well?”
“I did. How about you? Is that sofa comfortable enough?” I cross my arms, forcing myself not to run into his. Not that he’s offering a hug.
Nodding, he strides toward me. “What time are we leaving for the gala?”
“I need to be there early. So if you want to meet me there, I totally understand.”
“What time do you need to be there?”
“Four thirty.”
“We should leave here at three thirty.” He peeks over my shoulder at the breakfast sausage. “If that hasn’t been out long, tuck it back in the freezer. I’ll take you to breakfast. And there’s something at the ranch I want to show you and get your advice on.”
A second later, the sausage is back in its spot. “Breakfast sounds great. And if you want to get dressed for the gala here, you can.”
“That works. Let me change out of what I slept in, and we’ll go.” He steps away, then comes closer. “I’ve missed spending time with you. And I enjoyed last night. As for the part about what happened with my failed engagement, could you not mention that to anyone?”
I hug him. “Your secret is safe with me, Dallas. And I still think she lost out on a great thing. But it sounds like you dodged a bullet. And I’m glad.”
When I step back, he kisses my forehead. “Me too.”
We both change, then head to the cute little diner in Keyhole.
After eating breakfast, Dallas drives to Matchmaker Ranch. I’m starting to love this place. But that might have more to do with who lives here.
Dallas follows the paved roads past his house, then heads down a gravel road. He drives a ways before stopping next to a field. “Since you’re an expert on flowers, I wanted your opinion.”
“Sure.” I ease up beside him, and we walk toward the field.
“Aunt Tandy wants to open on Valentine’s Day. And I’ve been reading about wildflowers. If I plant seeds now, they won’t be flowering by then, will they?”
“February is pretty early, but definitely in the spring.”
“Do I need to do anything besides till this field and put out seed?”
“That should work. I don’t have a ton of experience with wildflowers, but I can research it a bit more for you.”
He brushes his hand against mine. “You have plenty on your plate. I can research.”
I link my fingers with his. “It’s beautiful, and it’ll be even more amazing when it’s full of wildflowers. I can’t wait to see it.”
“We should get going. I have a couple of things to tackle. Want me to drive you home first?”
“Can I just tag along?”
“Sure.” He squeezes my hand. “That’d be nice.”
I’ve spent hours imagining how Dallas will look in a tuxedo, and when I hear the guest room door open, I quickly dab on my lipstick so I can hurry out to see him. I have one last look in the mirror at my strapless gown. I’m pretty flat-chested, but this dress flatters my shape. I hope Dallas agrees.
Carrying my shiny red heels tucked behind my back, I step into the hall.
He spins around and gapes. After a second, his lips curl into a smile. “Wow!” When he touches my dangly earrings, his pinky grazes my neck, and the feeling is electric. “You’re stunning. I don’t think I’ve seen you with your hair up before.” His gaze slides down the black satin, slowly, intentionally, as if he’s studying for an upcoming test and I’m the subject.
His staring gives me time to do the same. He looks fabulous in his tux, but to me, Dallas would look good in anything. What I love most is that with his tux, he’s wearing perfectly polished black boots.
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.