“Warner, Wyatt, and Jessie are the public now?”
“Everyone is the public to you,” she counters, taking a shot at my tendency to keep everything locked up tight.
Fuck. Why did I think I could pull this off? “I guess we just can’t keep our hands to ourselves.”
“You two have palpable chemistry, I’ll give you that.” Mom’s head turns back and forth deliberately. “But, that’s not it. Why don’t you try telling us the truth?”
Dad’s head tips to the side and he sighs. “Fucking Christ,” he mutters.
I almost laugh, but my mother’s stern expression stops me. I have every intention of telling her once again that I’m dating Dakota, but what comes out of my mouth is the truth, because lying to my parents has always been my weak spot.
“I’m going to marry her.”
My mom’s eyes bulge like the world’s strongest man has squeezed around her middle. My dad’s face turns serious. He’s no longer irritated at being involved in a discussion about my dating life.
“You’re planning to marry her, Son?”
I nod.
Mom points a stiff finger near his face. “This is because of you. If it wasn’t for that dumbass rule, he wouldn’t be trying to marry someone he doesn’t love or know—”
“I know her,” I interrupt.
Her eyes flash to me. “A few weeks doesn’t count.”
I shake my head. “Wrong. I met her five years ago in Colorado.”
“What?”
“And we—”
I stop at my mom’s upraised palm. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“I was going to say we connected.”
She huffs. “Wes, you can’t marry someone youbarelyknow and don’t love just because you want the ranch.”
“He’s going to have to marry someone sometime, Juliette.” Dad’s voice is quiet, but strong.
Mom sputters. “I want him to love his wife, Beau. He deserves to be in love.”
“Even if he loves the woman he marries, it doesn’t guarantee a ride into the sunset. Life is tough, and that includes love.”
Mom looks down at the floor, her eyes closed. I’ve never known them to have marital issues, so I don’t think my dad’s speaking from experience, but I’m uncomfortable nonetheless.
“I know what I’m doing, guys. I promise.”
Mom’s head lifts. “What does she get out of it?”
I bristle at her hard tone. “She has a name.”
“What doesDakotaget out of it?”
There’s no way I’m sharing Dakota’s private financial information, so I shake my head and say, “She wants to help me. And it’s not like we don’t like each other. I told you—”
“Yes, yes. You connected.” She makes air quotes when she says ‘connected’.
I go silent. So does my mom. Her arms are crossed and she stares me down. “I’m not happy with this, Wes.”
