“I didn’t make it up,” I stammer.
“Well, then show me your ring.”
“I, uh, I…”
Diana grabs my left hand and brings it to her face.
Dammit.Chapter 8LoganI’ve never so much as seen a photo of Danielle’s sister, but I know that woman standing there has to be her. They look alike, with the exact same shade of blue-green eyes. Her sister’s are heavily lined in dark liner, topped with fake lashes so long it’s a wonder she can see anything in front of her.
Danielle stammers but holds her ground.
“Well, then show me your ring,” her sister spits in a tone that borders on mocking. She knows Danielle isn’t really engaged and made the whole thing up. I have no idea why she did, but I’m sure it was for a good reason. Her family is judgmental and cares about appearances.
Maybe her parents were pressuring her to come back home so they could set her up with another rich asshole. The thought of Danielle going on a date with some trust fund jerk makes jealousy bubble in my stomach. I need to stop giving a fuck.
Danielle only wants to be friends.
“I, uh, I…”
Diana snatches Danielle’s hand and lets out a snort of laughter. This is exactly the type of thing Diana will never let Danielle live down, and I can see the panic in Danielle’s eyes, which is out of character for her and I don’t like it.
I want to stay neutral in all of this and not get involved. But, dammit, I can’t sit back and watch Danielle struggle like this. She’s tough even though she doesn’t realize it. She stands up for what she believes in, even if that means upsetting a few people.
She thinks her life is a mess, but it’s one hell of a beautiful mess if that’s the case.
No one can unnerve you like your family can, and right now, she’s fumbling bad. Why she lied about being engaged doesn’t matter. What matters is she’s my friend, even though I long for more.
“What’s that?” the jerk who I assume is Peter asks, eyes dropped to Danielle’s chest. Blood rushes to Danielle’s cheeks, and I can’t stand this anymore.
I don’t think. I just act.
“Did you forget your ring again, honey?” I dart around the bar and over to Danielle. “She does it all the time. Takes it off when she’s out in the barn with the horses and forgets to put it back on.”
Diana’s eyes flutter, and it’s a surprise those ridiculously long lashes don’t tangle and get stuck together. Danielle’s shoulders relax, and she spins around, eyes meeting mine. The look of relief in them makes my heart do a stupid skip-a-beat thing.
“You’re right, babe!” She giggles and reaches up to touch my arm but hesitates for just a second before putting her delicate fingers on my bicep. “I’m always so worried about losing it in the barn I take it off. It’s safe and sound in my jewelry box in my room.”
I smile down at her, carefully bringing one hand up and resting it on her waist. She’s wearing a crop-top today, and my fingers grace her warm, smooth skin. She tenses, but I don’t think it’s because she’s uncomfortable by my touch.
“I told you we should just get matching tattoos instead.”
Danielle laughs, and this time it’s more like her normal laugh. Her grip on my arm tightens a bit. “Right, as long as yours says property of Danielle so everyone knows you’re mine.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I laugh and look into her eyes. She holds my gaze, silently thanking me, and then turns around, facing her sister.
“This is Logan. Logan, this is my sister Diana.” She purposely didn’t introduce Peter, and I’m half tempted to act like I don’t notice him. For two weeks straight, Owen and I acted like Quinn was invisible when we were kids. We played the part so well Quinn actually thought no one could see her…which got her into trouble when she tried sneaking around.
“You’re engaged to him?” Diana’s eyebrows go up even higher.
“Yeah, why? What were you expecting?”
Her sister shakes her head. “A cowboy, I guess. Definitely not someone who looks like they—”
“Tend bars,” Peter interrupts. “Which is what you do, right? I’d like to order a drink, actually.”
“Logan owns this place,” Danielle says. “And I tend the bar. You got an issue with that?” She cocks an eyebrow, testing him.
That’s my girl.
“So, go ahead and take a seat if you’d like to order. I’ll bring out the hot water and lemon in just a minute.” She waves her hand at an empty table. Diana and Peter walk away, and Danielle grabs my arm, pulling me into the kitchen.
“Thank you, Logan, so much.” She lets out a shaky breath.
“Why does your sister think you’re engaged?”
Danielle winces, and her cheeks redden again. She has no poker face, and it’s so fucking charming. “Her wedding is coming up, and I never sent in the RSVP. She emailed me and made a point to say I’m only allowed to bring a ‘serious’ plus-one, and if I didn’t have one, I’d be paired up in a hotel room with some other random single guest. Then my mom called and was being judgey and condescending as normal without even trying. She said she was marking me down as single, and I just blurted out I was engaged.”