“So- where are we going?” Mandy asked after clearing her throat.
“I rented out a ranch for the afternoon and evening. They do horseback riding and they’ve agreed to feed us dinner. After that, we’ll drive back, and I have tickets to a show. I think you’ll all enjoy it. It has dancing and water and acrobatics. It’s a love story.”
“Oh, do you hear that!” Jaz elbowed June in the back seat. June shot her friend a murderous look. “That sounds amazing! I’ve never ridden a horse before, but I’ve always wanted to!”
“Me too!” Mandy exclaimed.
“I hate horses,” June grumbled.
Brock’s stomach clenched hard and he nearly slammed on the brakes, ready to turn the truck around, but then Jaz stabbed at June’s arm with her index finger.
“You do not hate horses. You were just saying before we came out here that it would be cool to do an excursion and horses would be fun. You’re just saying that because you’re pouting.”
“I am not pouting.” June stuck out her tongue at her friend and Jaz laughed.
“You are so pouting. You just don’t want to admit that your super sexy husband picked something you actually wanted to do.”
“Shut up,” June ground out.
“Just saying, at least your drunk goggles had no effect last night. He looks good enough to eat.”
Mandy turned to the side. “I’d definitely lick him. Just like a-”
“You guys!” June nearly screamed. Her entire face was red when Brock’s eyes danced to the mirror. He let out a low chuckle. “He’s sitting right there!”
“Well, I’m just saying,” Jaz feigned hurt. “You don’t need to be jealous or anything. Are you? That would imply that you care.”
“That’s sweet,” Mandy laughed. “I know you care, even if you pretend you don’t. And you can’t tell us that he’s not good enough to eat.”
“Just like that delicious breakfast he let you order and bring back. That was really good, by the way,” Jaz said as she leaned more into the middle so he could see her in the mirror.
“No problem.” Brock grinned as June covered her face in her hands. She dropped them when she turned to the side to stare out the mirror. She made sure he couldn’t see any of her face.
“This is going to be fun,” Mandy said.
“Horses!” Jaz squealed like a little kid.
“Yeah!” Mandy fist pumped the air over enthusiastically.
Brock didn’t know June’s history. He didn’t know why she took that crazy bet, if it was the drinks or something else entirely. He didn’t know the first thing about her or her friends, but he realized, they were happy for her. They wanted this for her.
For some crazy reason, they actually liked him. It was pretty clear that they’d picked him. They were on his side.
If they had anything to do with it, he might just get to keep that ring on his left finger. He hated to admit it, but he actually kind of liked seeing it there. Not nearly as much as he liked to imagine June in his future, death glares, blushes, toothbrush stealing and all.
CHAPTER 9
June
This is a nightmare.
By the time they arrived at the ranch almost an hour later, June realized that she’d just entered her version of a personal hell. Not only was Brock devastatingly sexy in the same jeans and t-shirt he had on that morning, he’d donned a leather jacket, which was killer. He smelled good. The whole truck was permeated with his masculine scent and it wasn’t overkill. He hadn’t bathed in cologne or anything. She doubted her friends even noticed. Maybe it was just her nose which was hyper-active.
Or maybe they did notice, given that they’d already switched sides.
Traitors.
Maybe they couldn’t help themselves. They had vaginas and ovaries and eyes and Brock was like a tantalizing morsel. Not that they’d try and steal him away. Her friends didn’t work that way. What they wanted was to win her over. It was like an imaginary line had been drawn in the sand and her friends were trying to tug her over it.
She’d have to work extra hard for that annulment or divorce or whatever. Screwed up nuptials or not, Mandy and Jaz were thrilled with what had transpired. And not just because of the promise of some ranch, some horses, and a show after.
“He’s delicious,” Jaz whispered, not so quietly, in June’s ear as they walked towards the corral or whatever it was called where the horses were kept. They’d already met the owners and the staff who would take them on their ride.
“Yeah, I know.” June rolled her eyes. They were getting sore from how many times she’d done it already. “You said that. Both of you. Loudly. The whole way here.”
“He liked it. It didn’t embarrass him. He knows we’re just trying to help.”
“Yeah, we’re just trying to help.” Mandy linked her arm through June’s. She gave her a wink. “Oh my god. You didn’t tell us that he was going to be divine.” She actually had the decency to lower her voice. “Please tell me you consummated your marriage.”