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I jerk my head back like she’s causing me whiplash. “Didn’t you just get finished telling me he’s my type and you don’t buy this all being for show?”

“Yes, because that cowboy doesn’t want to like you, but he does. He can’t help it. So that’s my warning to you to be careful.”

I take a sip of my beer, unmoved. “Please. I’m always careful. This’ll be over once he gets custody.” Because it has to be. I’ll be moving on, like always.

Now that I’ve downed half a plate of potato skins and a full beer, I think about what Tessa said as Luke drapes his arm stiffly over my shoulder and we stand in front of her. Does he seem smitten? Nope, not with the stiff way he’s standing next to me as if I have him at knife point.

“What do you think? Do we look casual but cute?” I want Tessa to give a thumbs-up before Luke takes me over to meet his friends.

Tessa stands up and wiggles Luke’s shoulder, which is practically an immovable object, but she persists until he finally eases up his muscles and his arm feels less stiff. I snuggle against his side, half-expecting him to tense up again, but surprisingly, he doesn’t.

“Better. That’s more real couple, less awkward cousin prom date.”

Luke lets out a sound that’s somewhere between a groan and a reluctant chuckle.

“So Luke, I hear you’re a dad.”

“Yeah, I have a four-year-old. Boy. Bit of a terror, but he’s a good kid.”

“Cute. I’m still working my way toward the terrible twos. Please tell me I’ll get some sleep eventually.”

“Can’t promise, but it gets better.”

“Thank you for saying that, even if it’s a lie,” Tessa says.

“Who’s with him tonight?” Tessa asks.

“My cousin lives just over the hill, so she comes and babysits once a week so I can work late or get out of the house. Usually, so I can work late. But it’s great for both of them, so even if I don’t have plans, she still comes.”

It’s nice hearing Luke talk about his son, and it makes me realize I probably need to meet him if we’re going to do this fake relationship right.

“What did you tell him about all of this?” I ask.

“Um, nothing yet. I figured we could start slow. Introduce you as my friend, maybe have you come over some evenings if you’re free so he’s not weird about it if someone brings you up?”

He grimaces at the idea.

“Sure,” I say. “I can even pinch hit and pick him up from school if that helps you get your ranching stuff done.”

He shakes his head and turns to Tessa. “Do you also refer to your husband’s work as ‘ranch stuff’?”

She laughs. “No, but I’ve been here a bit longer than her. But I’d take her up on the offer. I know how time-consuming ‘ranch stuff’ can be.”

“I’ll take the help, thank you. I can put you on the approved chaperone list at the school once you meet him.”

“Sure. One day this week? Is Scout short for anything, by the way?”

“Nope. It’s just Scout.”

“Aw, isn’t this nice, you engaged lovers getting to know each other?” Tessa smirks.

I swat at her, but she backs away. “Don’t you have a husband to torment?”

“He’s on his way. Go get ’em,” Tessa says, snapping a couple of pictures of us to add to our fake romantic history.

“Thanks for going along with the charade,” Luke says. He looks almost relaxed; I’ve never seen him like that. I don’t know if it’s the beer or if maybe he’s getting more comfortable being with me in public. No, it must be the beer.

“No prob. Don’t be a stranger.” She grabs her purse and tells me, “Fitz wants to get ice cream. Do you want us to come pick you up after that?”