“Olivia?Are you okay?”a deep voice said behind her.
Or she could put a wall between them.One that might slowhim down and allow her to get through this week with some dignity.
She turned and Keane was standing beside Garrett like thehottest, sexiest, safest wall she’d ever seen.She moved right into his arms.
“I almost fell.You were right.I’m being reckless, but I’mso excited to show you where we’re going to live.”She leaned in, whispering inhis ear.“Please go along.I’ll explain later.”
His duffel dropped as his arms went around her.“Are youokay, baby?I told you we’re here for life.No need to hurry.We’ve got all thetime in the world.”
Okay.Maybe she hadn’t thought this through.She kind ofthought one of them would take the boyfriend role.
Why?She lived in this world, and they were obviouslylooking for a woman to share short term.Probably long term.This was stupid.
She had slept with two super-hot men.Why was she actinglike a shamed nun?
If she had the balls everyone accused her of, she would walkaway from them all.
Except she didn’t want to.She didn’t want Scott to botherher since it was obvious he was back for a second try at her.She didn’tparticularly want to drop Garrett off at a motel and pretend Keane didn’texist.
There were two Olivias.The guarded one and the party goblinwho wanted everything her friends had.Fun.Spontaneity.Crazy sex.
She kissed Keane and turned to see Scott’s eyes widen.“Keane, this is an… I don’t think we were ever friends, so I’ll be honest.Heused to work for Barnes-Fleetwood and we dated and he left for a better job anda younger woman, neither of which seemed to have worked out so now he’s here asthe rep for our biggest distributor.”
“That’s a lot,” Keane whispered.
“A bit unfair, but I understand.”Scott had a smirk on hisface.“So you’re dating this cowboy?I’m surprised at that.I expected youwould find someone in Dallas.”
Garrett moved in, his eyes only for her.“Am I the dirtylittle secret, Red?”
Role play.He was giving her a way to save some face.
She tilted her head up and went on her toes.“Never, Sir.”
“Ah, you’ve taken up the family’s view on romance.”Scottsounded annoyingly amused.“It’s okay.I like a challenge.I don’t suppose Ican steal you for a couple of hours.I thought we could open negotiations witha margarita or maybe a drink at The Barn.It’s been so long since we spent anight there.Drinking, dancing.I never thought I would miss this place, but Ihave.I’ve thought about it and you for a long time.”
Garrett slid an arm around her waist, trapping her betweenthe two of them.“I’m going to ask you to treat my girlfriend with someprofessionalism.You should understand I’m one of the lawyers who works forBarnes-Fleetwood, and I’ll have a talk with your human resources department ifyou continue to harass her.”
A brow rose over Scott’s eyes, and she could see the minutehe decided Garrett was a threat.“Harass is a harsh word.Especially whenyou’re talking about her former fiancé.”
She felt Keane stiffen beside her and knew he was taking inthe ridiculously overpriced loafers Scott wore and the expensive suit.Keanewas the one with a chip on his shoulder about how he grew up.So she cuddledcloser to him.“He wasn’t my fiancé.”
“I had a ring and everything,” Scott replied.
“And a girl on the side.You might have bought that ring forme, but you gave it to her.”She needed to regroup.It wasn’t like she feltanything for the man but disgust, but she also couldn’t allow their past toruin the relationship with their best distributor.This was sadly what it meantto be a woman in this business.Although she admitted taking on not one but twofake relationships was going a bit far.
“I told you that was a mistake.”Scott gave her that lookthat let her know he was thinking about arguing further, but he stopped and anaw-shucks smile came over his face.“Well, I intend to make it all up to you bybeing the best business partner possible.I can see you’re happy.Let’s get intouch and we can meet tomorrow.It was good to see you, Livie.You look…youlook great.”
He turned and walked toward the BMW he must have rented inDallas since they didn’t see many of those in Willow Fork.
She held her breath until he got in.
“We should probably talk about what happened.”Garrett had awicked grin on his face.“Uh, am I supposed to stay at the motel?Are we notsleeping together in this scene?”
She sighed.Nope.“Let’s talk about it on the ride out tothe ranch.I’ll explain everything to you.Thanks for backing me up.”
She couldn’t do this right here.She needed to get in hercomfy car and tell them her sad story and make a deal.
An adult deal.
