Ridge nods too, then follows me to my truck. I drop him off at the big house, making sure he gets inside with his paperwork and doesn’t detour to Knockin’ Boots. The last thing that guy needs is a drunk and disorderly charge to add to his woes. Besides, if word gets out that Ridge Gamble is single again, all the ladies north of thirty will be hounding him. Shit, maybe once the fake engagement is officially off, he and I can ride together and pull in the ladies.
That thought should make me whoop with excitement, but instead it just makes my ribs ache like I fell off a horse today. My phone dings from the passenger seat, where it’s been this whole time. I see a string of messages and missed calls. I ignore them all and head for home.
It’s time to face the music.
Time to face Shelby and end this ridiculous fake engagement. If I’m lucky, we’ll be able to salvage our friendship when all is said and done. If I’m not lucky, I might just have to make that beach vacation permanent.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
LETTIN’ THE CAT OUTTA THE BAG IS A WHOLE LOT EASIER THAN PUTTIN’ IT BACK IN
Shelby
I consider busting through the bathroom door, Kool-Aid man style, but my feet are stuck to the floor, and my heart is beating out of my chest.
Dallas Beaufort Gamble is in love with me.
Let me say that again. DALLAS BEAUFORT GAMBLE IS IN LOVE WITH ME!
What kind of crazy world am I living in? This wasn’t supposed to happen. We’re best friends, something I’ve never let myself lose sight of for a very good reason. Dallas doesn’t fall in love.
But he’s somehow in love with me. And maybe has been for a long time, which I can finally admit is something we may have in common. I never let myself acknowledge it fully before because it wouldn’t have made any difference. He was a good-time guy, not at all what I needed.
I pull my lips between my teeth to keep from laughing or screaming or who the hell knows what. I feel like I’m sixteen. Ishould really go buy a lottery ticket. Or not, since they don’t sell them to sixteen-year-olds.
More murmuring comes from the other side of the bathroom door, and I wonder for the briefest of seconds if someone is in there with him. But that’s impossible since Dallas Beaufort Gamble is in love withme. A giddy teenager laugh escapes, and the murmuring immediately stops. Oops.
The door opens to reveal Dallas in all his muscular glory, hair wet, chest bare, and a towel draped dangerously low around his hips. Steam billows around him like a frickin’ Hollywood movie, and my mouth immediately waters.
This man is mine if I want him. And, holy shit, do I want him.
Before I can give it another thought, I pounce, closing the distance and throwing my arms around him.
“Oh my god!” My voice comes out in a wheeze against his hot shoulder. “I can’t believe this.” I must have caught him by surprise because his arms don’t automatically close around me.
In fact, he takes a step back and braces his hands on my shoulders before prying me off of him and putting space between us. My arms drop, and I smile up at him, head tilted in question, ready to hear whatever sweet or funny thing he has to say. But he’s not smiling back. His jaw shifts, and his brow creases with deep furrows.
“So,” he begins, voice tight. “I was thinking we should plan that public breakup. I know I haven’t found you somebody, but I promise I’ll still make you look like the hero.”
“Very funny.” I go back in, eager to kiss him for the first time knowing how he really feels, but his hands are firm on my shoulders, restraining me. “What are you doing?” My voice is tinged with humor because he’s got to be kidding around. Right?
“I’ve kept you here long enough. You took care of Shane once and for all today, so I don’t think we have to worry about him anymore. You must be dying for your own space again.”
“Dallas,” I begin, my smile faltering. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“No, ma’am.”
“No, ma’am?” I cough out an incredulous laugh. “Stop kidding around. Is this because I didn’t say I love you back? You did notice the fire and the crowd of people barging in, right?”
“You don’t have to say it. I shouldn’t have said it. It was a mistake.”
“A mistake?” I sound like a fucking parrot repeating everything he says, but I can’t make sense of this. Nelly whines from the doorway, proving he’s just as confused as I am.
“You know how impulsive I am. It’s one of the things that bugs you most about me.”
“No, it’s not.”
