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Annabel gasped.
Scarlett flinched.
Here it was. The moment Elijah spilled the beans and ruined everything they had together.
“What?” Annabel practically screeched. “I thought you weren’t going to date anyone anytime soon. What happened? Where did it happen? Can you show me a picture?”
Elijah frowned, clearly realizing just what kind of monster he’d unleashed. “It was unexpected. None of your business. And absolutely not.”
“Why?” She nearly whined. “I’m your sister.” She nudged Scarlett again. “Scar wants to know, too, don’t you, Scar?”
It was her turn to be amused at the current predicament. If he hadn’t wanted to be cornered by his family, he should have just kept his mouth shut. “Yeah, Elijah. Who is she? Do we know her?”
His scowl deepened. “I’m not sharing anything with the likes of you. But if I were you, I’d get your head out of the clouds and realize that not everyone wants to go on a blind date.”
Annabel crossed her arms. “Well, if that’s how you’re gonna be, then you just shouldn’t come.”
Scarlett nodded. “And I guess that means the group date is off.”
“What? No, it isn’t. But Elijah doesn’t need to worry himself about coming out with us. He can just spend time with his fictional girlfriend.”
“She’snotfictional,” Elijah gritted out.
Scarlett could hear the underlying tones from beneath his voice and shot a look of warning at him. The last thing either of them needed right now was for them to be found out.
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” She flicked her hand toward the horse. “Now, get to work while I fill Scar in on all the details of the handsome city slicker who wants to take her out dancing.”
Elijah stormed off, his expression worse than the sky from that night when they’d been rained in. He’d be fine. He might not like that she was going on a casual date with someone else, but he’d have to accept it if he wanted this charade to last just a little longer.
21
Elijah
Elijah spent most of the next few days avoiding Annabel and Scarlett altogether. He wasn’t sure what Scarlett agreed to in terms of going on a date, but just thinking about her spending time with another guy—even platonically—got under his skin.
But what else could he do? He couldn’t tell Annabel about dating her best friend. He wasn’t sure how she’d take it. If he had to guess, he would say that she would either get angry and fight with both of them, or demand that they break it off because it was a betrayal to her.
Both of those options weren’t ideal.
He was stuck.
Thankfully, there was plenty of work to be done, from caring for the animals to finishing up the harvest. He could distract himself with physical labor.
Or at least he would have if he wasn’t so consumed with the knowledge that Scarlett wasn’t seeking him out to reconcile. Was there a chance she hadn’t gone along with Annabel after all? Something told him not to count on it.
His gut clenched and twisted into excruciating knots. What if she’d gone on that date with that guy and had figured out she liked him, too? What if she felt guilty because he kissed her? Elijah’s fury continued to mount with each passing hour. He wasn’t ready for this kind of trial in their relationship.
Maybe this was a sign he just needed to accept that they shouldn’t be together.
His avoidance strategy wasn’t doing him a lick of good. He needed to have a conversation with Scarlett about the expectations of their relationship if he wanted to survive with his heart intact.
Elijah kept an eye on the house, waiting for Scarlett to make an appearance—even if it was to leave the premises to go spend time with his sister. Last night was Friday—and he still wasn’t sure if they’d gone on that double date.
He didn’t dare ask his sister when he’d gotten up this morning.
Coward.
That was what he was. He couldn’t fight for the girl he cared for. He couldn’t tell his sister where to stick it. He couldn’t do anything to guarantee that the woman he loved would become his.
