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I glanced at Christian, my anxiety hidden behind my smile. "Well, Christian's passion for this place, his dedication to preserving its history and natural beauty, that's truly inspiring. And he has this way of making you feel like you're the most important person in the world when he talks to you."
I couldn't help but smile, the memory of our fabricated relationship providing some comfort as I gazed at Christian. He winked at me discreetly, and I continued, "As for Casey, she's incredibly caring and determined. Her ability to rally people for a cause and her genuine kindness make her someone I deeply admire. And she's got this incredible spirit that's hard to resist."
Clay nodded, and I felt a small sense of relief that we were convincing him. "Sounds like you two make a great team, both personally and professionally. This engagement must be exciting for you."
I nodded, my nervousness still present beneath the surface as we continued the charade, trying to make our fabricated engagement story as convincing as possible.
"So, a wedding and a new ranch. A new relationship and new pressures. Hmm." He eyed Christian. What was he getting at?
Christian swallowed. "You've got it."
Clay looked back at me, then at Brett.
"I'm Brett, Casey's brother and Christian's best friend." He reached out and shook Clay's hand. Clay smiled and shook his hand.
"Well, thank you both for being here to help our friend. Hopefully this place will shine." He gave us another small smile. “Christian. I would love for you and Casey to join me for dinner soon.”
Christian smiled. “Oh, we’re just so busy here. We couldn’t take up your time.”
He waved his hands. “Nonsense. I’ll pick you up tonight.” He turned and headed toward his car. “Have a good evening, you all.” He waved behind him, got into his car, and drove away. “I have to get ready!” I rushed to the car and motioned for Brett to follow. Christian chuckled and watched me rush away.
Standing in Tamara's room, I felt a mix of excitement and anticipation bubbling inside me. We were preparing for the dinner, and it had been ages since I had the chance to dress up. Tamara and I went through her closet, our fingers delicately grazing over the fabrics and colors.
Tamara's voice broke through the moment as she confidently declared, "This one, definitely." She held up a sleek, black dress that seemed to shimmer under the soft bedroom lighting. "I've always loved this dress, and it will look stunning on you."
Taking the dress from her, I held it up to myself, examining the way it fell and the subtle details in its design. It was a classic choice, exuding elegance and timelessness. "You really think so?"
Tamara nodded with a reassuring smile. "Absolutely. It's simple, but it'll make a statement. Plus, black is always in style. Trust me, you're going to turn heads tonight."
As I slipped into the dress and glanced at myself in the mirror, a newfound sense of confidence washed over me. The dress hugged my figure in all the right places, making me feel beautiful. Tamara, who was busy adjusting my hair and providing a quick makeup touch-up, beamed at me with genuine admiration.
"You look incredible, Casey," she praised. "Christian won't know what hit him."
A warm blush colored my cheeks as my heart fluttered at the thought of Christian's reaction when he saw me in this dress.
As I made my way back to the rental, the anticipation was building inside me. Opening the door, I stepped into the living room to find Christian waiting, and I was met with a sight that left me speechless.
Christian's eyes widened, and a soft gasp escaped my lips as our eyes locked. He looked absolutely dashing, dressed in a crisp shirt, tailored pants, and a well-fitted jacket. It was clear he had put in extra effort to impress, and I couldn't help but appreciate it.
I finally found my voice, my cheeks flushed with a mix of surprise and delight. "Christian, you look... incredible."
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he stepped closer. "Casey, you look stunning." His eyes roamed over me, and I could feel his gaze like a gentle caress.
"Thank you," I managed to say, the compliment filling me with warmth and confidence.
We shared an appreciative moment before he held out his arm for me to take. "Shall we go?"
Taking his arm with a playful grin, I nodded. "We shall."
With that, we left the rental, ready to face the night together, both of us feeling the excitement of the evening and the connection that was growing between us. We went back to the ranch house and waited for Clay to pick us up.
Clay pulled up into the rocky, dusty driveway. We slowly walked toward the car and opened the back door. Clay and, I assume his wife, were sitting in the front seat.
“Hop in!” Clay said.
I slid in the back and Christian shut my door. He walked around to the other side, opened the door, and slid in beside me.
After an hour of driving, with only some soft music to cut the awkward silence, we pull into the parking lot of a beautiful restaurant. The restaurant we entered was a grand, opulent space that exuded timeless elegance. Glistening chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm, golden glow over the rich wooden paneling, ornate moldings, and sumptuous crimson velvet drapes that adorned the walls.
