I had planned to lecture her, but the second her pretty face filled the screen, I almost forgot what we were talking about. Her dark hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun, and she’s wearing dark-framed glasses that somehow make her even sexier.
“Hey.” I smile as my footsteps falter in the middle of the dirt road that runs between the Magnolia Blue barns. “I like the glasses.”
She gives me a knowing grin. “Are you flirting with me?”
“Maybe.” Sheismy wife. For a little while longer, anyway.
“Hmm. Well, you better be careful, or I might think you actually like me.”
“Idolike you.” That’s the whole damn problem. “Anyway, I don’t want to be a pain in your ass about this shit with Spencer. I just hate that you have to see the guy every day.”
She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and sighs. “He’s kept this distance for the most part. I think you might’ve actually scared him off.”
“Good. And if he forgets, I’ll happily drive down to Colorado to remind him.”
Tessa laughs softly. “You’re sweet, but that won’t be necessary.”
She thinks I’m kidding? I’d be there in record time, too.
“Oh, I should give you a heads-up. Alana’s birthday is next weekend, and the guys have enlisted my help in throwing her a surprise party. I’ll be at the ranch Friday night.”
Eager anticipation rushes through me… quickly followed by dread. How the hell am I going to see her again and pretend Vegas never happened? Sure, I told her one night and one night only, but that was mostly because I didn’t think I’d have to see her for another six months.
And let’s not forget the legality of our situation either. If her brothers find out the truth, they’ll murder me without thinking twice. I’ll end up on the back forty, nothing but bloated wolf food.
“Okay. Is there something I can help with?” I ask, trying to play cool.
“Actually, I was hoping you’d say that. I was going to ask Carly, but with everything she has going on with the new job, the house, and being pregnant, I didn’t want to add more to her plate. Could you coordinate the cake with Joy at the bakery?”
“Ah, sure.” I know nothing about cake other than I like it… a lot. “Anything else?”
“The party will be at Pony Up on Saturday night, but since I can’t very well show up on Friday and then disappear on Saturday to decorate and whatnot, I was hoping you could help me enlist a few of her friends. Aiden and Emma will be out of town most of the day, so unfortunately, they can’t help.”
“No problem. I’m sure Hallie, Madelyn, and Camille will be happy to help. Probably Wilder, Levi, and Canaan, too.”
“Perfect.” She sighs. “I really appreciate it, Dean. You have connections there that I don’t and—”
“Babe, I’m happy to help.” And I look forward to having an excuse to talk to her between now and then, too. We’ve texted a few times about the annulment, but that was all business. “If there’s anything else you think of, just let me know.”
“I knew there was a softer side to you beneath that stubborn exterior.” Her dark eyes sparkle with sweet mischief as her lips curl into a smile.
I’d give just about anything to have her standing in front of me so I could kiss that mouth and make those eyes shine a little brighter.
“I should probably let you get back to work, sweetness.”
She blows out a breath and nods. “Yeah, you’re right. My break was over two minutes ago.”
“Don’t be getting into trouble on my account. I think we’re in enough of it already.”
She laughs quietly. “Isn’t that the truth.”
“I’ll keep you updated on the cake and the decorating committee.”
“Thank you for this. I really do appreciate it.”
“Just doing what any good husband would do, babe.”
* * *
