“Yes,” Julia said. “We’ll drum up votes or whatever they do on those shows.”
“Hell, Susan,” Connor said. “I’m sorry. You’re right. Men are pigs. We take longer to grow up and think playing the field is fun.”
“You don’t want responsibility,” Christina said in a sharp voice. “We’re not blind to your faults, Connor. You’re not as bad as the rest of the guys, even if you do like leggy blondes.”
Maggie’s stomach pitched and fear settled over her, squeezing her lungs like a tight elastic band. She wasn’t Connor’s type. She knew this. She’d always known it but had agreed to act as his fuck buddy.
They had no future.
She accepted it and while her head went with the program, her heart produced romantic plans of happy-ever-after. She perched on the edge of a precipice and the only way off was down, down, down.
“I didn’t realize I’d need to write a novel to enter this contest,” Christina whined.
Maggie grinned at her peeved tone. They’d ended up at Susan’s flat after work, and now, three hours later, they were still completing the forms for Susan and Christina. Two empty wine bottles stood on the kitchen counter, and Julia was busy opening a third.
Papers covered the kitchen table, and Susan’s pale face told Maggie she was as tired and as dispirited as Christina.
“Almost done,” Maggie said. “All you need to do is write the essay saying why you want to marry a farmer and what you bring to the partnership.”
“An essay.” Susan groaned. “It’s like being back at school. I hated essays.”
“Me too,” Christina said. “This is hard. I don’t want to do it anymore.”
Julia topped up their wine glasses. “Don’t be wimps. Man up and write that essay.”
Maggie snorted. “Is this where we spout sayings like, ‘Save a horse. Ride a cowboy’?”
“Works for me,” Susan said. “I’d love to ride a cowboy. Do they have cowboys on New Zealand farms?”
“Yeah, we’re not in Kansas now,” Christina said, reaching for her wine. She missed and almost knocked over her glass.
“Whoa,” Maggie said with a laugh. “No more wine until we eat. Focus. Yes, we have cowboys in New Zealand. Haven’t either of you been to a rodeo before?”
Susan shook her head. “No.”
“An agricultural show?” Julia asked.
“No,” Christina said.
Maggie and Julia glanced at each other and traded eye rolls and funny faces.
“City girls.” Maggietsk-tsked. “This is gonna be so much fun. Let’s work on those essays. I want you both chosen so I can watch the reality show for a long time.”
“Who do you want? Susan or Christina?” Julia’s eyes widened and a wicked grin spread across her face. “How about a wager to sweeten the pot?”
“Dinner and a hotel room at Whites?” Maggie laughed and muffled the sound with her hand.
“Done. A romantic night with the man of my choice. Works for me.” Julia’s giggle set Maggie off and they laughed so hard they clutched each other to stand.
“I’m glad the pair of you thinks this is funny,” Susan said in a stern voice.
Maggie noticed her lips twitched and Christina’s mouth pursed. She looked as if she wanted to laugh but was trying not to on principle.
“I’ll take Susan,” Maggie said.
“Christina, we will beat them,” Julia said, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes. “We’ll wipe the floor with them.”
“There are six farmers up for grabs,” Susan said. “More than enough to go around.”
