Page 92 of The Love Lie
“The show?” his father says, something clicking behind his eyes.
“Here’s a question,” Wes says, oblivious to the shift. “Is your sister single? Because they keep teasing her in the promos, and I gotta say, I’m kind of into this boss-bitch vibe she’s giving off. Now, I know you’re identical twins, so don’t take this the wrongway, but she’s hot. And if she’s open to it, I wouldn’t mind being handcuffed to a few bedposts by her if you know what I mean…”
Sam snorts.
Cooper, on the other hand, sees red. “I’m going to kill you, Wes.”
“What’d I say?” Wes mutters as he takes a proactive step back.
But before Cooper can close the distance, his father grabs him by the arm. “She’s the girl from the show?”
“Not now, Dad.”
“I told you I didn’t want any of them on my ranch.”
“It’s my ranch too.”
“Not yet. Not until you’ve earned it.”
“Dad—”
“After everything your mother told you? After everything you put her through? You gave this girl a ring for some goddamn television show?”
“It’s not like that.”
“You didn’t propose?”
“Dad.”
“You’re not engaged?”
“Dad.”
“Are you trying to leave again?”
“What?”
“You leave again, boy, and I won’t let you come back.”
“Are you serious right now?”
They both fall silent, chests heaving as they stare at each other across the distance, one a mirror to the future and one a reflection of the past.
“Psst,” Sam whispers, nudging Wes. “Can you put me down now?”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I didn’t ask if it was a good idea. I said put me down.”
“You don’t know them like I do,” Wes continues, keeping his eyes on the duo across the patio. “We may still need to make a quick getaway.”
She has half a mind to pinch him on the ass right here right now and see how he likes being manhandled. But instead, using her sweetest voice, she says, “I’m getting off your shoulder in the next five seconds. So either you can put me down, or I can do it my way, and my way involves breaking your nose. Five. Four. Th—”
Wes slides her off his shoulder faster than a man on fire and places his hand to her hip to help steady her. Those thick brows furrow as a realization sparks in his brown eyes. “You’re not Emily, are you?”
“No,” Sam says. “And to answer your earlier offer, I’m very much taken.”
Wes whistles softly as an elated smile breaks out across his lips. “Now I definitely have questions.”
