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“Stop it,” I mumble to myself, knowing that walking down the middle of town is not the time or place to be thinking about my one-night stand with Beau or the fact that my body was begging for a repeat this morning. I was practically draped all over him when I woke up.
“Stop what?” Beau’s voice brings me back to the present.
“Nothing,” I reply quickly. “Just thinking about what all we have to do today.”
“Mentally making lists?” Beau jokes, lacing his fingers with mine as we walk down the sidewalk.
“Maybe,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.
Beau tilts his head, whispering as we walk, “You can mark ‘fake fiancé’ off that list.” He holds up our joined hands. “Because we are selling this, and the town is buying.”
His words should comfort me, but they only serve as a reminder that whatever is going on between us isn’t real.
“So, tell me about… Holy shit! Is that—?” Beau stops in his tracks, dropping my hand as he turns to face me. “Is that Mattie Lincoln? One of the best quarterbacks in the NFL?”
My heart leaps into my throat as I spot Mattie jogging toward us, his figure shimmering in the heat haze. Holding hands might convince the onlookers, but Emma has probably already told her boyfriend everything.
“Yeah, that’s Mattie,” I confirm, a fond smile on my lips. “He’s Emma’s boyfriend.”
“No way! Your best friend is dating an NFL star?”
“And Magnolia Grove Tigers’ football coach,” I add.
“I heard. ESPN did a piece on it not too long ago.”
I don’t want to bring up the injury. Mattie doesn’t like to talk about it, and if he knows about ESPN, then he knows how he ended back up in Magnolia Grove.
“Hey, Lucy!” Mattie waves as he slows to a walk. “What are the chances I would run into you this morning?” Mattie flashed us a warm smile, his shirt clinging to his skin with sweat.
Beau and I shared a knowing glance before refocusing on Mattie. “Hey, Mattie,” I greet, trying to keep my tone light.
“Beau, right?” he says, extending a hand.
Beau shakes his hand firmly. “That’s right. Beau Montgomery. I’m a huge fan of yours.”
Mattie grins. “I like this guy already.”
I stand back, listening to Beau and Mattie make small talk about football. They mention grabbing beers soon, and I’m sure that made Beau’s day.
Even though Mattie is leading the conversation, I can’t help but admire Beau’s smooth navigation around Mattie’s football career. It’s a testament to his charm and tact, qualities that drew me to him in the first place.
“Hey, I got a great idea! Why don’t you two join Emma and me for dinner at River’s End tomorrow night? Double date, what do you say?”
I hesitate for a moment, considering our plans, but Mattie’s hopeful expression is hard to resist. “Sure, that sounds great. We’d love to.”
With a smile and a nod, Mattie bids us farewell and continues on his jog. Relief washes over me, grateful that the encounter has gone smoothly.
He didn’t cause a scene.
He didn’t ask us a million questions.
He simply ran the play that I’m sure Emma drew out for him.
Find Lucy.
Meet Beau.
Invite them to dinner. Don’t take no for an answer.
