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“I’m just saying, even with her background, the fact she was with Chadwick for so long should shoot up some red flags, shouldn’t it?”
“Not necessarily.” I relay what Dakota told me about their breakup. While I haven’t known Dakota long enough to trust her, I know what an ass Chadwick is, and feel it’s believable.
“You don’t think she had anything to do with the case against us, do you?”
“No, that I can say for certain. She was shocked to find out about the case. Said she didn’t know anything about it at the time. Just that Chadwick needed to win for some big promotion.”
Wyatt visibly relaxes. “So now what?”
“Now, I message her and set up a fake date in town. Make sure that as many people see us as possible. Get the gossip chain going.”
“And the gala?”
“She knows.”
Wyatt nods once and stands. “Don’t wait too long. We don’t have a lot of time before the rodeo and the cutoff for the sponsorship deadline is not far away.”
“You don’t have to remind me.”
“Then act like you care.”
Without another word, Wyatt walks out of my office, leaving me watching him as he goes.
“Fuck!” I slam my hands on my desk, making my computer rattle.
The business card in front of me jumps, landing with Dakota’s name and cell number facing up at me. Taunting me.
I know I should call her, but I also know in my current mood I wouldn’t do anything to help the situation by barking at her.
It’s Chance. We’re going to dinner tomorrow. We should be seen in public before the gala.
Her sarcastic words, calling me a romantic, float through my head. It’s not who I am, or who I’ve ever been. I don’t bring flowers or buy presents. I don’t meet the parents or try to impress friends. Women are never around long enough for any of that to come into play.
So, why’s my heart rate speeding up when my phone lets out a resounding ‘ding’ in front of me?
Good afternoon, boyfriend. Thank you so much for checking up on me. My day is going wonderfully; thank you for asking. I would love to accompany you to dinner tomorrow night. I’ve missed you so much in these three days we’ve been apart.
I let out a chuckle. She’s spunky, I’ll give her that.
Missed me, huh? What exactly did you miss about me?
Your sparkling personality, of course.
So, where are you going to take me? I think you should make it fancy since you have a lot to make up for, considering I’ve had to be apart from you for so long.
The Corral Steakhouse. I’ll pick you up at 7.
Don’t you need my address?
Nope. See you at 7.
I put my phone face down on my desk, ignoring the pinging that comes incessantly right after. I smile, knowing she’s probably calling me more than a few names, wondering how I know where she lives. I’m sure Wyatt uncovered that when he was asking around about her anyway. Now, I need to prepare for my first actual date—ever.
I don’t know how I’m going to make everyone believe I’ve changed my ways and am settling down with Dakota. I don’t even know what that looks like, to be honest. The only real couple I’ve ever seen were my parents, and I’m convinced they were some couple abnormality. I can’t seem to wrap my brain around spending your whole life with only one person.
I came close to having that once, but if anything, it just reinforced that it’s not meant to be. Carly proved that to me years ago. Thinking that maybe I was built for soul mates and forevers, even if I couldn’t do it the conventional way she wanted me to. But in the end, it almost ruined us both, and I can’t do that again.
Picking the business card back up, I stare at it for a moment before twirling it through my fingers once more. There’s something about Dakota that’s different from any other woman I’ve met. She’s not pushing me for a relationship. She’s told me sex is off the table. For the first time in my life, I’ve found a woman that virtually wants nothing to do with me.
