Page 69 of A Rancher's Vow
Charity wrinkled her nose then turned and planted a big kiss on Dustin’s cheek.
He blinked. “You realize you’re offering more ammunition. Because that picture was taken less than an hour ago. Plus, someone knows your nickname is Tee, and I can’t imagine that’s common knowledge outside Heart Falls.”
She was the one to lean in close this time. “Maybe, but better keeping attention and cameras on us than Kelli, am I right?”
Dustin swore then nodded. He opened her beer and presented it to her with a flourish. “Any time you want to plant one on me, you’re good to go.”
“I’m shocked and surprised.Not.”
Beside them, Kelli laughed. Her pointed glance at Dustin said all over again that she suspected more than Luke. Which was fine by Dustin, since she seemed to approve.
What was it that Keith had said about women making the best wingmen?
Kelli patted the seat next to her. “Charity, I need to talk to you. Since I hear you two are hitting the auction on Saturday, I need your help with some ongoing mischief.”
“Okay.” Charity kissed his cheek softly then slipped off his lap.
Which meant the girls were soon discussing something earnestly, heads tucked together as Luke and Dustin eased back in their chairs and shot the breeze. Comfortable, easy, right.
Dustin lifted his beer and tipped it toward his brother. “To a well-executed plan.”
“To obnoxiously cute online names and the end of clickbait troubles.”
They clicked bottles.
The sound rang out crystal clear and sharp like a bell.
A cold sensation rolled over Dustin along with a sense of déjà vu. As if he’d been here before and something was off. He shook the sensation off, but the sense of unease lingered far too long into the evening.
14
“Ichanged my mind. This is a terrible idea.”
Charity sat in the passenger seat of Dustin’s truck, fingers squeezed tightly. He’d picked her up and brought her to the community hall where the lunch and auction were being held. They’d arrived at the end of lunch to cut down on the total time in public.
It was suddenly all too much.
Dustin twisted in his seat. “Which part?”
It was tempting to sayall of it, but that was so far from the truth, Charity couldn’t say the words without guilt rippling in.
She liked being his fake girlfriend with benefits.
It was the other parts of today’s deception that made her hesitate. “We’ve spent the past three days watching social media play with that sillyhashtag DusTeelabel. People who don’t even know us have opinions about if we look good together or not. And no, I didn’t read all the comments—Fern took my phone away before I found any of the ruder ones.”
“Since I also didn’t read them, I will tell you that according to Tamara, the only rude comments were from people whose opinions we wouldn’t give a damn about in the first place. I’d say we can safely ignoreallthe comments.”
True. Still… “Maybe it’s enough.”
He stroked his knuckle over her cheek. “Okay.”
She snickered. “My favourite word, only this time I don’t know what you mean.”
“Okay, we don’t have to show up.” He shifted back in his seat and gestured to the wheel. “I put her in gear, and we can head to Silver Stone and ride Beach for a bit. He could use some exercise.”
She eyed him. “You’re serious?”
“Of course.” Dustin shrugged. “If you’re uncomfortable, then we don’t do this. You know the rules.”
