The Off Limits Rule (It Happened in Nashville 1)

“Why? Is he mad at you for getting pregnant or something?”

There’s a suspiciously long pause. “Not exactly.”

“Jessie…please tell me you haven’t been hiding your pregnancy from him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course he knows I’m pregnant! How in the world would I be able to hide that? No. He just…thinks I’m engaged.”

“WHAT! And that is easy to hide??”

She groans loudly. “I know! It wasn’t a great plan, but I?

??ve been making up excuses all through the pregnancy of why my fiancé could never come with me to visit, and I thought maybe I could eventually say he got hit by a bus and died or something.”

“Breaking up would probably be an easier lie…”

“But then he surprised me and said he’ll be here in the morning and can’t wait to meet my fiancé! That little sneak is trying to pull a fast one on me! And WHO AM I GOING TO GET ENGAGED TO BEFORE TOMORROW?!”

The scary part is, I think she’s serious. I wouldn’t put it past her to be hunting the aisles of Target right now, looking for a clean-shaven man in the body wash section. He might actually say yes because, even pregnant, Jessie is drop-dead gorgeous.

“No one. You’re going to woman up, face your grandaddy, and tell him the truth!”

Complete silence settles heavy on the line for four beats before we both break out in laughter and she asks, “So what’s the real plan?”

“Well, obviously I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it.”

“Tell me. I’ll do anything.”

I skew my face up like she can see me through the phone and say the one name I know makes her skin crawl. “Drew.”

“No.” Apparently, she didn’t even need to think that over.

“He’s your only option, Jessie. And even though you think he’s a pigheaded jerk, he’s actually a sweetie and would help you if you asked.” She’s quiet…deep in thought. “Or you could just tell your grandaddy you broke up with your fiancé and then this whole problem is solved.”

“No!” Her no is even more forceful this time. “I just…I can’t do that. I want for him to think I’m engaged.”

“Why?”

“Because I do. Don’t worry about it.” That’s odd, but I don’t push it because if I’ve learned anything about Jessie, it’s that she doesn’t like to talk about personal problems until she’s ready.

“Okay. Then we’re back to Drew.”

She whimpers. “Do I have to marry him?”

“No. In fact, I think you shouldn’t since you generally hate him, but I think he could stand in as your fake fiancé for a few days until you decide to kill him off.” I pause briefly and then add, “Just so we’re clear, I mean pretend to kill him off.”

“Such a party pooper. Breaking up is probably better, though, so I don’t have to stage a fake funeral too. That might get expensive.” I’m worried money is her only reason for thinking a fake funeral would be a bad idea.

After one last long, dramatic groan fit for a war movie, Jessie concedes. “Okay. Fine. You’re right; he’s my only option. Can you call Drew and beg him to meet me at my place early tomorrow morning at eight? I can’t do it without showing my disgust.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re going to have to be nicer to him if you want him to really help you.”

“Gosh, I wish I could drink. It would make this all so much easier. But, okay, tell him I promise not to hurt his itty-bitty fragile feelings if he helps me.”

“Not gonna say that.”

“Whatever you think is best.”

The sound of the bedroom door shutting makes me jump. My gaze bounces up to Cooper, standing in front of the closed door, moonlight reflecting off his chest and abs and an I-mean-business look on his face. I hurry to get rid of Jessie. “Yep, I’ll work it all out, gotta go, BYE!”