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You need to let that go. I’ve said sorry.
Dakota, you’re still going to show, right?
Dakota, answer me!
I’ll admit, part of me is worried that she’s going to stand me up. I’m sure I deserve it, even though I don’t know what I could have done that would have set her off so badly. Other than suggesting the proposal, I can’t think of anything else that would have done it.
This is why I don’t do relationships. I don’t need all the bullshit that comes with trying to read minds and predict moods. She agreed to be here; she should be here. But instead, the dinner is about to start and she’s nowhere to be seen.
“Declan,” Beau Campbell nods as he stands beside me, overlooking the room.
“Campbell,” I respond, tipping my hat to him.
A little shorter than me and about twenty years older, he’s been the biggest help to me since I took over the ranch for my dad. They had a mutual respect for each other that lasted past my dad’s death and included taking me under his wing for the first few months when I was struggling. I respect the man, and there’s not too many people I can say that about.
“I haven’t seen that pretty girlfriend of yours tonight. You haven’t scared her off, have you?” He takes a sip of his whiskey, acting as if he doesn’t care, but I know he wouldn’t bring it up if he didn’t.
“She’s running late. Something about a case at work.” I take a sip of my own whiskey, hating that I’m lying to him, but not knowing what else to say. That maybe I did scare her off? There’s a chance she is going to stand me up? That this is all fake just so men like him won’t let my rodeo, and my town, drown?
“That’s good. You know I’m on your side, and I’ve fought for you with the other sponsors, but there’s only so much I can do.” The older man starts before turning toward me. “Now you know I don’t give a shit what you do in your free time as long as you get your work done—which you do—but the others…they need more from you.”
“Beau…” I start, but he cuts me off.
“I know, I know. Right or wrong, it’s what it is. Now be honest with me, son. Is what you have with this lawyer real?”
I hold his gaze, but don’t say anything. I can’t say anything. My mind shouts to say yes just to placate him and everyone else, but I have this feeling that I can’t shake that it’s no longer the lie it once was. I just don’t know if it’s how Dakota feels.
“Right. Well, whatever is going on, I suggest you get it figured out, and quickly.”
Beau downs the rest of his whiskey, places his empty glass on the table next to me, and stalks off with nothing more than the tip of his hat.
I turn my back to the room and lean on the table next to me, needing a moment to figure my shit out. What happens if Dakota does stand me up? How will I smooth it over with everyone here?
Normally, I wouldn’t care. I would tell them to take their opinions and shove it, but it’s more than just my reputation on the line. I hate the position I’m in. I hate that I’ve had to rely on someone to get me out of it, especially someone like Dakota, who seems to do whatever the hell she wants, when she wants.
The thrill of that would normally excite me. Tonight? Not so much. It would be a lot easier if it were some puck bunny on my arm that would be happy just to be out and seen with me. But not Dakota. She’s an enigma that I don’t know how to solve.
“She’s cutting it pretty close,” Wyatt says as he comes up behind me, leaning against the table.
“Yup,” I answer, not knowing what else to say.
“Any word from her?”
“Nope.” I down the last of my drink, letting the burn of the whiskey leave its fiery trail down my throat.
“Chance…”
“Don’t!” I say louder than I should, knowing I am drawing the attention of the people around us. But you know what? Fuck it. They’re going to find out soon enough that I can’t even keep a fake relationship going long enough to count. “I don’t need it from you. You’re the reason I’m in this mess in the first place.”
“I’m going to let that fly because you’re under pressure, but we both know that’s not true. I’m just the one that came up with the plan to get you out of your own mess.”
“A mess that isn’t anyone’s business but my own,” I growl.
“That might be true, but it is what it is. Now, what are you going to do to make sure Dakota shows up?”
I scoff. “You haven’t figured out by now that Dakota does what she wants? You can’t make that woman do anything.”
“Trouble in paradise?”
