opposed to next to you, anyway. You’re a really good partner, Josie.”
Their glasses were half-filled with lukewarm, leftover beer and a basket of limp fries sat abandoned on the portion of the bar they had vacated an hour earlier. Seth grimaced at the unappetizing display before them.
“Should I order us a fresh round?”
“I’ve actually got another idea if you’re okay with calling it a night here,” Josie suggested.
“I’m totally good with that. Truthfully, I’m not sure my feet can handle round two out on that floor. They’re going to be killing me tomorrow.”
“Only because I stepped on them a hundred or so times.”
“More like I stepped on yours,” Seth corrected. “I’m clumsier than a growing puppy.”
“And arguably just as cute.”
His dark eyes clouded in bewilderment. “I just want to point out that you’ve called me both a hot rancher and a cute puppy tonight, which—I’m not gonna lie—is a little confusing. So what exactly is your type, Josie Friar?”
“In order to generate a type, that would mean I’ve dated several men in my past to compare with one another. Since you’re my first boyfriend—and a pretend one at that—I’d say I can’t really have a type.”
“Please don’t tell me I’m setting the standard for your future dating life. That’s a lot of pressure to put on a fake boyfriend.” He called the bartender over to close out the tab and then his demeanor shifted as he got serious. His gaze latched onto Josie’s like a tangible grasp. “I didn’t realize you’d never been in a relationship before. If I had, I wouldn’t’ve pushed for all of this.” He waved his hand in the space between them.
“Just to be clear, I’m the one who suggested it. You didn’t push.”
The bill came and Seth clicked open the pen to scribble his name onto the receipt. He lowered off the stool and Josie did the same.
“Plus, I’m having fun,” Josie said, but she couldn’t stave off the insecurity that started to creep in. “Aren’t you?”
“Absolutely.” He held out a hand to indicate he would follow her through the bar and toward the exit. The establishment was now at—if not over—capacity and they had to thread their way through a thick sea of white cowboy hats, big, dolled-up hair, and enough cologne and perfume to suffocate them before they even reached the door. “Lots of fun. I just don’t want to make things weird for you.”
“Well, I didn’t think things were weird, but I sorta feel like now it’s inevitable since you mentioned it. Like there’s going to be a big, weird elephant in the room.”
Seth grabbed her hand and shouldered open the door. “No elephant. Forget I ever said anything about the elephant.”
She would try, but what she couldn’t forget was the way her mouth went dry when he took up her hand of his own volition. This wasn’t for show. There was no one around now. They’d squeezed their way out the entrance doors and now it was just the two of them alone in the dim parking lot. A single lamp flickered above the collection of cars parked there and it buzzed as moths darted in and out of its triangular funnel of light. Josie thought it was odd that her ears rang in a similar, buzzing way.
“I’m sorry.” Seth dropped her hand like a hot potato. “Funny how quickly habits can form, huh? I didn’t really mean to do that.”
“I like holding your hand, Seth.”
His feet planted even though his truck was only a few paces away. “You know what I like about you, Josie? You’re not shy about sharing what’s on your mind. That’s a rare and admirable quality.”
“I don’t know about that. It’s gotten me into a lot of trouble in my past.”
“Maybe, but I imagine it’s also served you well.”
“Debatable.” She wondered how it served her now. If her vulnerability pulled Seth closer or if it would eventually push him away. She wasn’t sure what she wanted. The thought played tug-of-war in her head.
“Don’t change that, okay?” He picked up his stride again, but rather than stop at the driver’s side, he followed Josie to the passenger’s and unlocked her door first, his hand hooked on the frame until she was safely tucked inside. He closed it into place.
Josie glanced around the quiet cab. A crystal cross dangled from the rear view mirror, swaying from the jostle of the shutting door. Shards of light caught and reflected in small, rainbow beams like a miniature disco ball. There