He grins. With dark hair and brown eyes, he’s tall, handsome, and has a friendly face. He stretches his arm toward me. “I’m Dale.”
We shake. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. So, you’re the woman stealin’ my best friend away from all he holds dear? Now I see why.”
Charming as well. “That’s kind of you to say, but I’m not sure I deserve those accolades. I haven’t even had a taste of what being his girlfriend even looks like.”
Dale smiles when I say ‘girlfriend’. Brett beams at me, then puts his arm around my shoulder.
“She’s a natural. Bossy. Funny. Gorgeous and smart. Not sure I can think of too many reasons I’d want to return home to be honest.”
“Well, that’s certainly a charming thing to say,” a woman huffs, folding her arms over her chest as she stands in the stable doorway.
“Oh, my god, Brianna, what are you doing here?” Brett exclaims.
Brett’s little sister. She looks like him, with similar features, the same eyes, but she’s only about five two. She side eyes me,and before I can blink, she’s spreading her arms wide and folds into my arms for an awkward hug.
“Brianna!” Brett scolds.
“Um, hey,” I say, patting her on the back.
“We never thought B-Dog would find his happiness,” she says, pulling back. “And I’m a hugger, so deal with it.”
Okay, then.
Dale facepalms, and Brett just shakes his head with a grin on his face.
“Didn’t I tell you your sister was coming?” Dale says, almost innocently.
“No,” Brett replies. “You don’t have my parents stashed out there too, do you?”
“No,” Brianna answers for him. “But they’re worried about you, and after seeing the photo of you two, they have questions.”
“I know, I know,” Brett says. “I need to come clean, and deal with the press, and sort my shit out.”
“I can see how well that’s going for you,” Brianna sniffs.
“Where’s Molly?” Brett asks suddenly, then glances at me, “That’s Bri’s little Maltese.”
“Ah.” I nod.
“I left her with Mom and Dad,” she replies. “She’s always a bit iffy with flying.” She glances back to me. “Anyway, Bailey, how are you doin’? I’m glad to see you haven’t run away yet, Brett can be a lot.”
“Well, things were going swell until all the reporters showed up,” I say. “And then they took those photos and said those things.” Well, they’re bound to know because they would’ve seen it.
“Gutter rats,” Brianna sighs. “They’re so rude. The thing that sucks about B-Dog being a celebrity is that he never gets much privacy. Especially back home.”
“That’s okay. Out here in the sticks we can build really high fences, especially when your boss is a lumberjack,” I say.
“I’m gonna go talk to Chuck,” Dale says as he moves away. “Make sure everything is under control.”
“He’s my head of security,” Brett explains. “Thanks, buddy.”
“Anytime.”
“Not lookin’ for a manager's job, are you?” Brett hollers after him. “Apparently, I need a new one.”
“I’m on the case,” Dale yells back.
