“So… what happened to nothing going on between you and Charlie, huh?” Walker asks with a smug grin.
“Things changed,” I mutter, stabbing my steak a little too aggressively.
After we finished at the courthouse, Ma insisted on taking everyone to Prickly Pear to celebrate. Because of course, in our family, what was supposed to be a secret ceremony ends with us parading through town while everyone congratulates us with visibly perplexed expressions.
Not that I give a damn what anyone thinks, except Charlie. I haven’t had a second alone with her since my family crashed our wedding, but she seemed happy to have her friends there, so I’m glad they showed up.
“I’m not buying it.” Walker shoots me a skeptical look. “You’re meticulous to a fault. There’s no way you decided to just up and marry her after you found out she was pregnant with your baby.”
I set my fork down, and cross a leg over my knee, leaning back in my seat. “Drop it, Walker.”
“You’re avoiding the question, and I’m going to enjoy giving you hell when you finally admit the truth.” He takes a swig of his beer, appearing far too pleased with himself. “It’s the least I can do for all the shit you gave me over Birdie.”
I did give him a hard time when I found out he was making weekly trips to the feed store and dropping thousands just for an excuse to spend five minutes alone with her. Then he announced they were dating out of the blue, and I knew there was more to the story. Turns out I was right. It started as a fake relationship, at least on Birdie’s side. Walker, on the other hand, had been gone for her from day one.
Sounds familiar.
Yeah, I’ve wanted Charlie for years too. But unlike Walker, I relied on avoidance and cold responses to keep my distance. What I failed to account for was Charlie giving back as good as she got, turning every conversation into a tension-filled sparring match that left me wanting her more than ever.
My gaze drifts across the table to where she’s seated between Briar and Birdie. Her head is tipped back in laughter, and the brightness in her eyes steals the breath from my lungs.
She’s pure temptation in that lace dress that dips just enough to hint at her cleavage. I remember exactly how full and round her breasts are, and the breathy moans that fell from her lips when I tugged her nipple between my teeth.
Too bad our wedding night isn’t going to resemble anything close to what we shared the night of Walker and Birdie’s big day.
“I’ll take you giving Charlie googly eyes over the constant bickering,” Walker says, clapping me on the back. “Your constant arguing was exhausting.”
I bark out a humorless laugh. “Don’t let her cheerful mood fool you. She isn’t capable of not sparring with me, even if she wanted to. And I have it on good authority that she’s not about to start playing nice anytime soon.”
Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if she doubles down after today. She’ll be more guarded than ever, determined to make it clear this marriage is strictly transactional. Too bad for her, I’ve never been one to back away from a challenge, especially when it comes in the form of a stubborn redhead who gives me a run for my money.
When I glance back at Charlie, she’s staring at me.
She flashes me an unexpected smile and lifts her hand to show off the diamond on her left ring finger. Thankfully, no one has told her it belonged to my grandmother, so she assumes it’s just a meaningless ring I picked up at the local jeweler. I plan to keep it that way until I’m confident the truth—that I’ve wanted more with her for a long time—won’t make her spiral.
“I’m getting whiplash,” Walker tells me, scratching his forehead. “Are you actually into each other or is this all about doing what’s best for the baby?”
“Both,” I answer without missing a beat.
He tilts his head, frowning. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“It doesn’t have to. As far as everyone is concerned, Charlie is having my baby, we’re married, and our situation is permanent.”
He takes another pull from his beer, eyeing me skeptically over the rim. “Does she know that?”
I steal another glance at Charlie. “She will.”
Walker leans back in his chair, hat drawn low, a lazy smile tugging at his mouth. “Guess I’ll just sit back and enjoy the show. Either this turns into a love story for the ages or a trainwreck that’ll divide the whole town. Not sure which scenario I’m rooting for more,” he adds with a wink.
“Appreciate the support,” I grunt.
He tips his bottle in my direction. “That’s what brothers are for.”
It’s past nine when we get to Charlie’s place—our place now, I suppose. I’d rather be at my loft on the ranch, but I want her to be comfortable with our new living arrangement. If that means staying in her space for a while, I’ll happily oblige. Besides, judging by how packed her shop is, she doesn’t exactly travel light.
We park in a designated space on Main Street next to her red SUV, and I follow her around the back of the building, my duffel bag slung over my shoulder.
“Where the hell are the lights?” I grumble, squinting into the dim alley.
