I turned the corner and ran smack into a rock-hard chest. My hands went right to that chest, and I froze, realizing exactly who I’d run into.
Ewan had put his hands on my hips to steady me, and neither one of us moved as we were pressed firmly against one another, my breath oddly quickening.
I had met my share of pretty men, handsome men, rugged ones. But for some reason that strong jaw line of his did something to me. I needed to be aware of that though. I had fallen for a pretty face before. And while I had gotten the love of my life out of it with Amelia, I had lost something as well.
Just like that, I cooled slightly.
“I thought that was you across the park,” his deep voice said, and once again I was all warm deep inside.
How could he make me hot so quickly?
“I thought that was you as well,” I said lamely. “Thank you for waving.”
I could have hit myself.
“Where’s Amelia?” he asked as he looked over my head, and part of me softened inside. Because of course he would ask after the little girl that he saved. Damn it. That man needed to stop being desirable. Or at least not be so interesting.
“She should be back on her way with ice cream with her aunt.” I cleared my throat and realized we were both still touching each other. Ewan didn’t immediately let go. Instead he squeezed my hips ever so slightly before taking a step back. I ran my hands down my thighs, feeling awkwardly bereft at the lack of contact. I had clearly been losing my mind and needed to get laid. It had been far too long.
“I should probably tell you something,” I blurted, wondering why I was getting in the middle of it.
His brow rose. “Okay. Actually I’m glad I caught you because I was here to ask you something. But what is it?” Worry etched on his face.
My teeth bit into my lip before I finally allowed myself to get in the middle of whateverthiswas.“I don’t know if it’s you, but somebody mentioned your name.” I was whispering before I looked over my shoulder to see if the women had come this way. Thankfully it looked like they had gone to the other side of the parking lot.
Ewan followed my gaze, and I watched as his jaw tightened ever so slightly.
“Let me guess, the bridal party said something to you?” He stared me down, and I swallowed hard. “Did they hurt you?”
My eyes widened. “No. I don’t know them, and they didn’t even say a word to me. But I think they were talking about you.” I swallowed hard once again and told him what they said.
Ewan groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hell. I do not know why that woman won’t take no for an answer.”
“I kind of explained why she won’t,” I said gently.
Ewan snorted. “Yes, the size of my…ranch.”
I burst out laughing, and he chuckled right along with me. A deep chuckle that vibrated inside me.
“I would just be careful at the wedding since she doesn’t think you have a date or wants to replace them.” That sobered me slightly at the reminder. “And I would warn your date.”
Ewan winced and put his hands in his pockets. “About that…” His voice trailed off, and I licked my lips. His gaze went straight to my mouth at the action, and I froze.
“About what?” I asked, my voice oddly breathy.
“You said you owe me.”
I blinked, not sure where he was going with this. “Of course I do. You saved Amelia. I’ll do anything.” I pause. “Within reason.”
His lips twitched at that. “I lied to Trish and the others. I don’t have a date.” My heart did that twist thing once more, and I did my best to ignore it. “Will you pretend to be my date?” He paused. “And pretend that I asked you long before this.”
I blinked, utterly surprised. “You want me to be your fake date to your best friend’s wedding?”
He ran his hand over the back of his neck, a blush creeping up his face. It was oddly sexy.
“Okay, maybe we can’t pretend that I asked you long before this since they know I met you when I caught Amelia.”
“That makes sense. You can’t really reinvent history,” I said, trying to figure out exactly what he wanted. And exactly what I was going to say.
