Page 60 of Blue Jean Summer

Fake relationship. Real marriage. Very real attraction. Suddenly, this life detour didn’t seem like a reprieve. It seemed like a recipe for a disaster.

“Why’d you come out here?” I asked.

Hayes smiled. “Between the text about the champagne you had while dress shopping, the text about Savannah feeding you shots, and a text from Levi that he was going to drive Savannah home, but that you and Hallie needed a driver, I decided he might need a hand wrangling you three.”

“He could have driven us all back in Hallie’s minivan,” I argued.

“Highest safety rating. Best crash-test results,” Hayes said, repeating what he had told me about his SUV. He cupped my cheek. “You’re the most important person in the world to me, Cath. I don’t trust anyone else when it comes to you.”

Then he let go.

My heart ached as he took a step back, but his eyes never left mine. “Keep having fun.” He cocked his head to the other side of the bar. “I don’t want to rush your night. Just let me know when you’re ready to go home.”

Suddenly, all I wanted was to go home.

Savannah careened into me, shoving a drink into my hand, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Hayes—or off his cowboy butt—as he walked to the L-shaped bar and took a seat.

—

Not fifteen minutes later, the room was spinning and so was I. Hallie and I burst into a fit of laughter as we danced—albeit poorly—to “Copperhead Road.”

Hallie threw her head back. “I haven’t had a night like this in a long time. I needed this.”

I snickered deviously. “Bring Mason next time.”

Her cheeks turned cherry red. “I should head home. I’m probably not setting a very good example by being out all night and drinking.”

I shrugged. “Sometimes you just need to blow off some steam.”

Hallie looked around, but her eyes didn’t quite focus on any one direction.

“No one’s driving tonight except for Levi and me,” Hayes said as he sauntered over, spinning Hallie’s keys on his finger. “I’ll come back for your van tomorrow.”

“Sav!” Hallie shrieked. “Come on! We’re leaving!”

I teetered from foot to foot. Suddenly, there were three Hayeses, then four.

Hayes looped an arm around my waist, keeping me upright. He did the same for Hallie, but around her shoulders. “Levi’s gonna take her home.”

“I think we’re in trouble!” Hallie whispered in a decibel that was louder than a jet engine.

“I’m not in tr-ou-ble!” I sang as Hayes steered us to the door. “He’s my fiancé!” The bar patrons cheered and clapped as I turned in Hayes’s arm and showed off the ring to the onlookers.

I loved being engaged.

I loved Hallie.

I loved Savannah.

I loved Levi.

I loved my Hayes.

“You’re in boots!” I squealed as we squeezed out the door. I faintly remembered clocking them when he walked into Pony Up, but seeing Hayes looking like a casual cowboy never got old.

Hayes glanced down at his feet as he managed to get Hallie and me to the intimidating SUV that was parked right beside the entrance.

I craned around Hayes so I could see Hallie. “My fiancé looks so good in boots.”