“Shouldn’t we at least pretend we’re sleeping together when my family comes to town? My parents aren’t like yours; they notice everything, and they also ask a lot of questions.”
Crap. All I’m thinking is “no,” but I don’t know what comes after that.
Gigi’s watching me. “I have an idea. We’ll say I want to wait until marriage. That excuse will work with both of our families.”
I exhale. “To consummate relations or whatever?”
She giggles. “Sure.”
“Think your family will buy that?”
Gigi giggles some more. “Buy it? My parents will freaking love it. My two older sisters were very rebellious before they got married, so my parents have always been stricter with me. Nobody in my family thinks I’ve ever had sex before. I have, though.”
I hold up my hand. “No more details, please.”
Gigi yawns as she stretches out on the guest bed. “My mom seemed to be won over by your southern charm and rugged cowboy thing. But oh, my gosh, I’m so nervous about our plan, Logan. We’ll have to really ham our relationship up in front of people, you know. I’m sure it’ll drive Macey and everybody crazy because you never know who’s watching.”
I run my hand across my jaw. “You’re right on both counts. Macey’s gonna have a hard time loving the idea of you in my life, and in this town, somebody’s always watching. But don’t worry. It’ll all work out the way we both need it to.”
It better. Because having to keep Macey at a distance tonight just about wrecked me.
At the sound of my phone buzzing, I look down at the screen.
Blake. My cousin’s like a dog with a bone when it comes to sniffing out a mystery.
“Didn’t I just see you?” I say as I answer the call.
“I have some questions,” he says.
“Not a good time.”
“Tough shit. You and I are going night fishing. See you in fifteen.” He hangs up before I can tell him no.
I run a hand down my face. Yeah, I could blow Blake off. But then, he’d just show up here looking for me. Nosing around and trying to figure out what the hell’s going on. I’m going to do more to have to convince him my engagement is real.
“I’ve got to go out for a bit,” I tell Gigi. “Stay here and relax. I’ll be back soon.”
“Hey.” I drop my tackle box on the grass and sit down on the bank. The fishing hole stretches out before me.
Blake’s already got his pole in the water, and he turns his head toward me. “Hey, Mr. Darcy,” he says in a voice dripping with sarcasm. “That is your new name, right?”
“Fuck off.” I get the bait on my hook and cast my line into the water.
The fishing hole is blissfully empty of people this late at night, and I exhale in relief.
Finally, some peace and quiet. Except for Blake, who isn’t going to shut up easily. The lights from the street still cast a bright glow down by the water’s edge, and I can see his blond hair falling in his face as usual. Worse, I recognize the challenging look in his blue eyes.
“Logan. Dude, I’ve known you my whole life. We’re not just family—you’re my best friend. And while a lot has changed, you know what’s always stayed the same?”
I give him a hard look, but he keeps going. “You and Macey. It’s always been the two of you. Sure, you two refuse to settle down and so you date other people, but no one ever sticks around for long. So what does this Gigi chick have that Macey doesn’t?”
A way to save Macey’s future.
“None of your business,” I say.
“Fair enough.”
We stand in silence for a moment, and then Blake gets a bite on his line.
