Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
ROSE
D aphne points at a deep red. “What about this color? It has a subtle sparkle to it.” With her dark hair and olive skin, she looks striking with that color on her nails.
“That’s really pretty. I’m thinking about going with this ice blue one because I know it won’t clash with my bridesmaid dress.” My brother’s wedding is coming up soon, and I want to look amazing. For Dallas.
“Ooh, I like that. And Dallas really seems to like blue.” She laughs and dances her eyebrows. “So what happens after the wedding? Are y’all just going to continue like nothing’s changed or do you think he’ll make some declaration about how he’s fallen for you?”
“I’m not sure. And while all the signals he’s sending make me think we aren’t pretending anymore, I’m afraid to get my hopes up, you know? I guess I’m afraid of jinxing it.”
“I get it. It’s really too bad that all those other cowboys are married. Saying that makes me sound like an awful person. But I just want a guy like that of my own. The way Dallas looks at you makes my heart melt, and he’s not even looking at me.”
Daphne and I have been friends for years. We complement each other. She’s confident, and I’m just discovering my spine. She’s strikingly beautiful with a figure that gets her lots of attention, and I’m the opposite of that. She always has my back, and I so wish I knew someone I could set her up with. The hard part is knowing who she’d like. Daphne has this image of the perfect guy, and she’s turned down a whole lot of dates because the guy doesn’t fit her ideal. And it’s not only because of looks. She claims she’s waiting for a spark.
Until I met Dallas, I thought she was crazy. Now I understand.
“Changing topics, the new location is fully built. All the shelves are in place. But Dad refuses to discuss the opening or who will run the place. I have a bad feeling about it. Mom probably talked him out of letting me run it, and they’re just waiting to tell me until after the wedding.”
“With your shiny new backbone, they’re probably afraid that you’ll say or do something rash at the wedding.”
“I would never do that to Sage and Cara.”
“I know. But we think like normal people. What’s your backup plan?” Daphne pins me with a stare. “Because you need one. I know you love flowers, but your parents will play this game forever. You’ll never win, Rose. I’m tired of seeing you disappointed.”
I swallow. “I’m not sure yet, but I’m working on it.” I rub my face, hoping the pedicure techs aren’t listening too carefully. “I’m going to tell you something that you can’t tell anyone else.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “You’re scaring me, Rose.”
“The house I’m living in belongs to Dallas’s aunt. And when I looked at the place, I told Dallas I couldn’t move in because I knew the rent was too much for my budget.”
“Because your parents don’t pay you what you’re worth. But continue.”
“Dallas is paying the difference each month. And after the wedding, if he isn’t interested in continuing, I can’t keep taking his money. And I might be walking away from my job. So I’ll have to do something. I hate the idea of not working at the flower shop. There has to be something I can do to work this out.”
“You can move in with me.” It’s clear that Daphne wants me to get out of the family business.
“Your apartment doesn’t allow pets. What would I do with Floofy?”
“Dang it. There has to be someone you can get help from if everything goes south.”
I nod, a face coming into focus in my head. “There is. His aunt. If my parents try to use the shop as a bargaining chip to make me date Richard, I’ll talk to Tandy. And I’m pretty sure it won’t matter if Dallas and I are still a thing. She’ll help me. I just know she will.”
“Awesome. Now, let’s stop thinking about what bad things might happen and enjoy our pedicures. When do you leave for your party weekend?”
“In three hours. We’re driving up in Dallas’s truck. It’s different having a combined bachelor and bachelorette weekend. I think Sage and Cara just want to spend as much time together as possible.”
“That’s so sappy. And it makes me totally jelly. Y’all will have so much fun. A resort ranch? How cool is that?”
“I’m excited.”
“Think Richard will be weird again?” Daphne laughs. She’s never been a fan of Richard, and she’s only met him twice. Both times, he asked her out.
“Who knows? It was funny at the gala because I could tell that when Richard shook Dallas’s hand that he was squeezing really hard. But the man works at a desk typing or holding a pen all day. Dallas uses his hands for hard work. It took a lot of willpower not to laugh when I saw Richard rubbing his hand later in the evening at the gala. And at Christmas, he went out of his way to avoid shaking hands with Dallas. It was hysterical.”
“I really like Dallas for you. And I’m hoping with everything in me that this works out. Because I can’t remember when I’ve seen you this happy.”
“I’m both excited and terrified. And this silent understanding that the topic is off-limits until after the wedding has been good and helpful. But now that we’re almost there, I’m critiquing every look and every word.”
“He likes you. It’s obvious.” Daphne grins as the tech paints on the red color.
I want her to be right. And I think she is. But the little voice of doubt is whispering louder and louder these days.
Dallas opens the door to the quaint hotel, and I step inside.
Cara runs up and hugs me. “Isn’t this the cutest? The best part is no parents. They were not happy about that. But it would be weird to have them here, and I need a break before the wedding because at this point, I almost wish we’d just eloped.”
“Almost nothing. And it’s not too late to see if we can just get married here with our close friends around us.” Sage hugs me, then shakes Dallas’s hand. “I invited all our good friends to ensure that every last room was booked. Our moms would totally crash the weekend if they could. But the nearest hotel is thirty minutes away. So I think we’re safe.”
I’m stunned and more than a little impressed. “Wow. I wonder what they’ll do with themselves all weekend?”
Sage shrugs and hands a key to Dallas, then one to me. “These are to your room. I hope it’s okay that we have y’all sharing. Since you shared at the engagement party, I figured that’s what you’d prefer.”
Dallas nods. “That’s fine.”
“Great. The room is right up the stairs and to the right. Room twenty-five.” My brother focuses on me. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize sooner what you have to put up with from Mom and Dad. Cara opened my eyes. I swear it wasn’t willful ignorance. It was just pure old-fashioned ignorance. And this weekend, enjoy yourself because no one is looking over your shoulder or judging you.”
Cara drapes an arm around my shoulder. “Sage is one of the good ones, and he really does care. I’m not sure I can say the same for my brother.”
“Sorry about that.” I flash what I hope looks like an apologetic smile. “Has he arrived yet?”
“Not yet. But he’s on his way. Even so, we’re going to have tons of fun.”
Another couple walks through the door, and Sage and Cara hurry away.
Dallas carries our suitcases toward the staircase.
“I’m sure there’s an elevator.” I scan the lobby.
“It’s way over there. It’ll be faster to go up the stairs.”
“But the suitcases.”
He flashes a crooked smile. “Are you questioning my ability?”
After rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “I’ll go first so I can unlock the door.” I hurry up so that Dallas doesn’t have to stand holding the luggage while I fiddle with keys. And I swing open the door as he steps up behind me.
There is only one bed. And this one isn’t as big as the last time.
Dallas sets the suitcases near the wall. “I’ll just sleep in the truck.”
“You will not! It’s freezing cold outside.” I shrug off my coat. “I’ll stay on my side, and you can sleep on the other. Agreed?” Freezing is an exaggeration. It’s in the fifties, but to me, that’s cold.
“If you’re comfortable with that. But there isn’t room for the pillow wall.” His slight smirk makes me think he’s teasing.
“It’ll be fine. But I won’t be able to sleep if you are in the truck or even on the floor, so don’t bring that up as an option.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He flashes a mischievous smile.
“Don’t give me that look. I just don’t want this to be awkward. I want to relax and have fun this weekend. And if you’re uncomfortable, I won’t relax.”
He walks over and pulls me close. “I’m good.” He runs a hand over my hair. “And we’ll have a great time.”
I inch up on my toes and give him a kiss. His hand is already in my hair, and he holds me close. In heels, I was nearly the same height as Dallas. In my tennies, I have to stretch a little. But to me, the height difference is perfect.
Then he pulls away. “We should go down and see what the plan is.”
I grab his hand. “Yeah. I’m hungry. Hopefully, dinner is soon.”
He picks up my coat, and we exit the room hand in hand.
Richard waves from the bottom of the stairs. “There’s my Pottsy.”
“Hey,” I say.
Dallas’s hand tightens around mine and he whispers, “I don’t like him.”
“That makes two of us. Three if we include Daphne.” I bump my head on his shoulder before we start down the stairs.
After chatting with the other guests for a half hour, we all walk across the parking lot to the small restaurant on the ranch.
We’ll be here two nights, and I’m going to enjoy every minute.