Chapter 6
Beau
“ W hat the hell, Beau?” Hailey hissed as soon as we were outside. “Kathleen Depner? Did you finally man up and ask her out? Although that wouldn’t explain the ‘engagement’. Unless I missed something.” She really used air quotes.
“It’s hard to explain, and I need to get back.”
“But Kathleen Depner?” She laughed. “Kat. Really?” I didn’t like the way she said my fake fiancée's name.
“What’s wrong with Kat?” I thought she liked her well enough.
“There’s nothing wrong with Kat except for the fact you aren’t engaged to her.” She put her hand on her waist. “And there is also the fact that she thinks you’re the world’s biggest jackass.”
“Geez. Thanks sis.” I rolled my eyes.
“I didn’t say she was right.”
“I know.” I looked behind me to see if I could make out the table and was grateful that I didn’t see them. “Look, can we talk about this later?”
“When? At that bullshit engagement party?” Hailey’s lips thinned out, and for a second, it almost looked like she was about to laugh.
“Are you really staying tonight?” It wasn’t like her to take time off from Bliss Creamery. My older sister lived and breathed the family business.
“Oh, hell yeah.” She actually did break out laughing. “There’s no way I’m missing this.”
“Fine.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out my hotel key. “Here. I’m staying at the Luxevue Suites. Room 618.”
“I can get my own hotel room,” she said, taking the key.
“I know.” I rolled my lips in to keep from laughing.
“See you later.” She backed up. “You know. After you see your fiancée home.”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head as I went back inside.
“Everything alright?” Kat asked.
“Everything’s fine.” I smiled at her. “Just making sure she had a place to stay. Most of the hotel rooms are taken thanks to the rodeo being in town.”
The rest of the night didn’t last long. We finished dessert and called it. I reached for the bill, but Randall took it.
“What kind of celebration would it be if we let you pay?” He put down his credit card.
“Well, thank you very much,” I said as we walked toward the door.
“Of course.” He handed his ticket to the valet. “And why don’t we schedule a meeting for after this weekend to talk about that sponsorship?”
“That would be great.” My smile had to be a mile wide.
“Perhaps we should wait until after your engagement party.” Leonard jabbed. “We wouldn’t want you to be distracted.”
“Beau knows how to multitask.” Kat patted her hand against my chest. “I’m sure he will be fine whenever you schedule the meeting.” She met Leonard’s stare straight on.
“Relax.” Randall patted his partner on the shoulder. “I’m sure everything will be fine.” He walked around to the driver’s side of the car. “Talk soon.”
“Of course.” I waved along with Kat as they drove off.
“What the heck is that dude’s deal?” She asked when they turned out of the lot. “Did you kick his puppy or something?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea. Maybe he just honestly doesn’t like me.”
She looked up at me with wide eyes. “How could that be? I can’t imagine someone not liking you. I mean, you have people practically eating out of your hand. Just ask the hostess.”
I chuckled as I reached for her hand and headed for my truck. “I can’t tell you how much I love the fact you are jealous.”
“In your dreams.” She jumped up into the passenger’s side while I held the door.
“I don’t think so. I’d say in reality, Kitty Kat.” I closed the door before she could reply.
I took my time walking around the front of the cab. My eyes never left hers. A smirk was firmly on my face. I chuckled to myself at the steam I could practically see coming out of her ears. By the time I opened my side of the truck, her face was beet red.
“I thought I told you not to call me Kitty Kat.” Her teeth ground together as she spoke.
“Sorry. Habit.” I lifted her hand to my lips. “What hotel are you staying at?”
“I’m not staying at a hotel.” She yanked her hand back. “And what’s with all the kissing? That wasn’t part of our deal, either.”
“Again, habit,” I told her. “What do you mean, you aren’t staying at a hotel? Surely you aren’t driving back home tonight.”
“You say it like Bliss isn’t forty-five minutes away.”
“But you have to be back first thing in the morning,” I pointed out. “And it’s far too dark to navigate those roads.”
“I did just fine during college. I’m sure I will be fine now,” she said. “Just take me back to my car.”
“Nope.” I pulled out my phone and dialed up the hotel.
“What do you mean ‘nope’?” She turned toward me. “What are you doing?”
“Luxevue Suites. How can I help you?” A pleasant voice greeted me.
“Do you have a room available for tonight?”
“I’m not staying at a hotel,” Kat whispered.
“I’m sorry, but we are all booked up.” The woman on the other end replied.
“Okay. Thank you.” I hung up and dialed Hailey.
“Hailey Wynters.” She sounded distracted.
“Did you get a room, or are you in mine?”
“Neither.” She answered. “The hotel was booked, but Daph had a room, and Danni couldn’t make it. So I’m down the hall with her.”
“Good.” That would work. “Two beds or one?”
“Two.”
“Couch?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect.” I nodded. “See ya soon.” I hung up before she could ask questions.
“What are you doing?”
“You can stay in my room, and I’ll bunk with my sisters,” I informed her. Now that I thought about it, I could have also called Dallas to see if I could stay in his room, but it was too late now.
“I’m not staying in your room.”
“It’s not that big a deal.” I started the truck. “It isn’t as if I haven’t stayed in a room with my sisters before.”
“I’m not staying in your room.” She repeated. “I didn’t plan on spending the night. I don’t have any of my things, no clothes, and I need to feed my cat.”
I looked over at her. “Fine.” I shrugged. “Then I’m going to have to drive you home for the night before coming back here and getting some sleep. Who knows how that might affect my riding tomorrow? I might not even qualify for the finals. How would everyone back home feel if I didn’t make it?” It was a dick move, but if it got her to stay, then it would be worth it.
“I really hate you.” She pulled out her own phone and dialed.
“Who are you calling?” I turned out into traffic.
“Two can play at your game.” She smirked at me and waited until someone answered the phone. “Hey, do you have an extra bed in your room?” There was a pause. “Do you mind if I stay with you since I’m currently being blackmailed into spending the night in town?” Another pause. “Great. I’ll explain everything.” She said goodbye and hung up.
“Who was that?” I didn’t like the idea of her staying with anyone else.
“Don’t worry about it.” She crossed her arms and looked out the window.
“Kat.” I waited. “Kathleen.” Still nothing. “Kitty Kat.” That got a response.
She turned to face me. Her smoky eyes blazing. “Say it again, and the deal is off.”
“Fine.” I huffed. “But is it so wrong that I want you safe?” I kept going. We were almost at the hotel.
“It is when you dictate things to me like we are an actual couple.” She spat out. “And for the record, I wouldn’t let you or any other man dictate anything to me. Couple or not.”
Okay, she had a point there, but I wasn’t completely wrong. The highways toward Bliss Haven were really dark at night, and her car was almost as old as we were. Anything could happen to her on the drive back.
I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel and parked, but didn’t move. Making her angry wouldn’t help my cause. I let out a breath and turned my body toward her.
“I’m sorry I upset you.” I couldn’t apologize for caring about her safety.
“Whatever.” She opened the door, but I reached for her hand, and she closed it.
“I am sorry, Kat.” I rubbed my thumb over the back of her hand. “I just want you to be safe.”
“I’m not really your fiancée, remember?”
“You don’t have to be my fiancée for me to worry about you,” I told her. “You might not think of me as a friend, but I consider you one. I would worry about anyone trying to drive home this late at night.”
She looked down at our hands joined together. “You really need to stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Touching me like we are really together.” Her voice was so soft. “It confuses things.”
I tried to tamp down my excitement. “Things or you?” I tugged her closer.
Her eyes came up to mine. “I’m not going to jump into bed with you.”
“I never thought you would.” I trailed my hand up her arm.
“I’m not sleeping with you either.”
“Judges are still out on that one.” I cupped the back of her neck.
“And I’m definitely not falling for you.”
My laugh was dark. “If you say so.”
I pulled her the small distance between us and let my lips capture hers.