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She let out a groan. “Don’t bother turning her down, Ethan. It’s not gonna work.”
He glanced from her to Lacey, then to the window, and sighed. “You know? I think I’m good. Nothing for me.”
“Ethan—” Becca started but couldn’t get much out before he continued.
“You can put Becca’s order on my tab. I’ll leave my payment information with the hostess.” He got to his feet and winked at her then leaned forward. “Enjoy your girls’ night out. How about we talk tomorrow at the ranch… where it’s moreprivate.”
She gaped at him.
“Meet me at the barn.”
“The barn?” she murmured with dismay.
“Where else would you expect to find a horse trainer? I don’t care what my uncle says. I’m not going to take time off just because they think they know best. My personal life is for me to decide.” Ethan pulled at a cocktail napkin then retrieved a pen from his pocket. He scribbled something on it and pushed the napkin toward her. “This should help.” He jerked his chin toward the window, where the women were now missing. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave you stranded. I’ll make sure they’re not really gone.”
“How chivalrous,” she muttered.
“What?”
Becca blinked and flushed deeply. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Wasn’t she the reason they were in this mess? And even though he wanted out, she couldn’t let him do that if it meant ruining Katrina’s wedding. She bit down on her lips as she pressed them together.
“Nothing. I’ll be there.”
His crooked grin did things to her she wasn’t prepared to accept yet. “Okay.”
“Um, Ethan…”
“Yeah?”
“We’re not going to go riding, are we?”
His smile widened. “You’re not scared of horses, are you?”
She shrugged. “I’m notnotscared. Let’s just say that.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure you’ve come up against people who are a lot scarier than the horses I work with on a daily basis.”
“It’s not that I’m scared of the horses specifically. It’s that I’d much prefer to keep my feet on level ground if that’s alright with you.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
It was all he said as he turned and left the restaurant. She watched him, wishing she’d gone after him to make it known that she would, under no circumstances, be riding a horse with him now or in the future.
But she couldn’t bring herself to get to her feet.
“Oh, man. Where did Ethan go?” Katrina plopped down on the seat just vacated by her cousin. “I thought the two of you would enjoy a little time together.”
Becca’s eyes narrowed. “Like I told you before, it’s not that serious. We’ve only just started seeing each other and I have no intention of getting any closer than we already are while I’m here. You might as well accept it and stop playing matchmaker. Whatever course we’re on, it’s gonna stay that way.”
Katrina pouted. She glanced around the table as her other bridesmaids returned. “But you’re the only one who isn’t engaged or married. I didn’t realize how strange it is to be on this side of the fence. I’m never going to have those exciting firsts again.”
One brow lifted as Becca reached for her fork and stabbed it into her dessert. “Exciting firsts?”
Gabrielle piped up, choosing this moment to steal a bite of the dessert as well. “She means the first kiss, the first ‘I love you,’ the first time you hold hands…” She winked. “You know, all those moments that make the butterflies go to war with the lightning bugs that live in your stomach.”
Becca made a face. “You really shouldn’t describe it like that when we’re eating.”
Gabrielle laughed. “It’s okay, though. There are a lot of firsts to look forward to. You get to have your first fight, your first night where you make up.” She lifted her brows suggestively and the other married women laughed.
