Page 100 of Country Contract

“Why are you pretending you’re not in love? We are your best damn friends,” Silas offers.

“Can’t I love her like a friend?”

“No, because we know that’s not you. You love Cassidy like a friend. You love CeCe like a friend. Hell, the women you’ve dated until now, you’ve loved like a friend. This is different from anything I’ve seen. You’ve been happier, lighter, more focused, all while being completely obsessed with her.” Silas nods at Hunter’s points.

“Okay, so what? Let’s say I do love her. It doesn’t matter, she’s leaving to be with another man, anyway.”

“What?!” Silas reels at the news.

“Yeah, her parents are setting her up with some elite business guy. Wish he was a douche, but he’s not. He’s perfect for her.” I finish my beer, and Silas immediately pours another for me.

“So, what are you going to do? You told me and Cassidy it was part of your agreement that you would still be free to date and try to find a real partner. When was the last time you went out on a date or talked to a girl that wasn’t her?” my brother drills.

“I don’t know.”

“Then open that damn app and maybe download another. It’s time for you to find someone for you for real.” He wants me to have what he has and knows that I’ve been dreaming about a family my whole life.

“Okay. I will. She leaves in two weeks. I’ll get back into the swing of things then.”

“No. Now,” they say in unison, and then look at each other with annoyed looks.

I relent and open my phone in front of them. I re-download the app I had deleted, and then Hunter grabs my phone and downloads Country Charm, too. I roll my eyes at his actions.

“Oh Em Gee. Let’s make his profile,” Silas says cheekily, and I can’t help but laugh.

For the next half hour, we drink, and they build my dating profile with my input. CeCe even came over to help after she got back from the rec center. What started out as “dreamy small-town guy looking for his country princess” turned into “simple rural business owner looking for a serious partner.” The pictures they picked are decent; CeCe even filled us in on the rules.

“Only two or less group shots, no filter photos, only one shirtless, if any, and only put a fishing picture if she should expect her partner to fish every weekend.”

We settle on a picture from Hunter and Cassidy’s wedding where it’s obvious I’m not the one getting married, a picture of me on horseback, another of me at the Saturday market, and the last is a picture of me with Blake. Blake’s face is covered with an emoji and my shirt reads “World’s Okayest Uncle.”

When we get back, it’s 10:20 or so. I drive my truck down the dirt roads on our property but stop when I hit the fork that separates Harlow and me. It’s before her cut-off time, but there’s this pathetic urge to squeeze in there last minute because I want to. If she really wanted me to come by, she would have said so without the time restraint.

I let out a sigh and turn left, heading to my place to look through these apps without a bunch of nosy people over my shoulder.

Emma (30)—boring and basic.

Lilliana (28)—looking for fun and I’m not.

Georgia (30)—beautiful . . . but not nearly as beautiful as her.

Her.

Will I spend the rest of my life comparing women to her? I know that this was so I could practice being casual and recognize when something is real. That doesn’t make the fact that I have strong feelings for Harlow any easier.

Everyone is so convinced I’m already in love with her, but can’t I just love the person she is?

I love so many things about her, just like I love so many things about Cassidy. I love my brother and best friends. My parents. My livestock. It can be a different kind of love; it doesn’t have to be romantic.

I go to bed with my brows pinched together, and my lips tightly shut. I have two more weeks with Harlow, and I don’t know how to spend them.

Chapter 39

Harlow

Majesty is coming today. It’s weird to be the most excited person on the property and the only person who doesn’t belong.

The past five days have been strange. I only have three manuscripts left, and I know that I’ll be done with them by the end of next week. I’ve hung out with Cassidy and Harrison, but Hunter has made himself scarce. Harrison is still as sweet as ever, but there is this underlying uncertainty with him. I want to ask him about it, but I don’t know how to word the question.

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