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Chapter 4

4

WES

W e had one perfect day together. We watched a movie, decorated the tree, and cooked pizza. Later that week, I took Sutton’s advice and ordered more lights to hang under the deck. I wanted to impress her.

But Sutton was too busy going on dates with the prospective husbands. I got frequent updates about how awful these guys were, and I hated every second of it.

I was positive she was going to marry one of them, if only to get her grandmother’s estate. She loved offering tours of the house, and I knew she wanted to expand them, to make it a museum hosting weddings, concerts, and other events.

I suspected her parents wanted the cash value of everything Mrs. Rosesmith owned. They had no interest in the house. The grandmother manipulated each of them in different ways. She kept everyone in her family jumping to do her bidding to get things. At least that was my take on it.

I hadn’t spent much time with her family other than a quick introduction when we went to my prom together as friends. We vowed to go together if no one else asked us. Even though I received a couple of invitations, I said no because I wanted to go with Sutton. Not that I ever told her that.

She was asked by some pretentious rich kid to hers because by then, she went to a private school. I picked her up at her house which could only be described as a mansion, and her parents and grandmother had come outside for photographs.

I felt her mother’s disapproval, and her father’s disinterest. But the grandmother was interesting. She scrutinized me in a way that made me feel like an experiment she wanted to dissect. After that, I stayed far away from her and advised Sutton to do the same.

No matter how close we were, I was never able to convince her to move. I suspected that her family was the house, not the people inside it.

Sutton finally called that night.

“It’s good to hear your voice.”

“We talk all the time.” I felt oddly on edge now that she was actively pursuing a husband.

“Maybe over text. Not on the phone.”

“I can’t say I enjoy hearing about your dates.” Although I didn’t not want to hear about them. I wanted to be in the know. It was like I craved the stab of pain that twisted deeper with each date she went on.

“I’m sorry. But I have to talk to someone, and I can’t talk to my mom. She’s convinced these guys are great.”

“What’s the plan? To speed date as many guys as possible to find one that’s not as offensive?” I couldn’t keep the irritation out of my tone.

“I guess. I don’t know. I think Mom was hoping I’d have found someone by now. Grandma wants me to be married before she dies.”

“This is your life, but I don’t like how she’s pressuring you.”

Sutton sighed. “How else will I find someone to marry? Mom’s doing the legwork for me, taking some of the pressure off.”

“How was your date last night?” I asked tightly.

“Charles took me to the symphony in Baltimore.”

“That sounds nice.” Not the date I would have picked for Sutton. She might have come from money, but she loved the outdoors and the simple pleasures in life. Like an outdoor movie night.

“The music was. Him? Not so much. He talked about himself the entire night. I tried to say something about myself, and he just barreled right over me and continued to talk about himself.”

“You should want to get to know the other person.” Not that I had much experience in that department. At the end of every first date, I compared every woman to Sutton. No one measured up. Probably because I knew Sutton in a way I didn’t anyone else.

“You’re right. These dates my mom is sending me on are too stuffy: dinners at five-star restaurants, charity balls, and symphonies. I can’t get to know them. But if I did something a little more casual, maybe the outcome would be different. I could get to know these guys on a different level.”

“What did you have in mind?” I asked even though I didn’t want to know.

“It’s Christmas. Surely, there’s a million things we could do. Walk through downtown Annapolis and admire the lights. There’s the tree lighting ceremony. The walk-through light display at the Monroe Christmas Tree Farm. ”

It sounded like she was reading from some list of things to do during the holidays. “You’re not going to Monroe farm.”

“They have a light display, and the Calloways don’t. It’s as simple as that.” But her voice held amusement.

“Aren’t you supposed to be loyal to me?”

“You know I am.”

“Then bring a date to our farm. Tell him you want to pick out a tree for your house.”

“You know we have staff for that.”

“This will be a test of sorts.” I could meet and evaluate the guy. It should have been a good thing, but there was a burning in my gut. “You can see if he loves the holidays as much as you. If he’s comfortable on a farm and in a ballroom.”

“I like it. It’s a true test to see if this guy could be the one for me.”

I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “That’s right. Let me know when you’re planning to be there. I’ll be sure to be there too.”

“Don’t you think that would be awkward? What are you going to do? Act like my big brother and interrogate him?”

“Someone has to. You don’t have anyone looking out for your best interests. Your mother just wants you married.”

“Don’t scare him off. Remember, this is a means to an end. I’m not marrying this guy for love.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to suggest she marry me instead. Wouldn’t it be safer to marry a friend than someone who was looking for a quick payday? But I couldn’t seem to form the words. It felt crazier than her marrying to inherit her grandmother’s estate. “Is this really want you want?”

“I want to share my home with everyone. This is the only way to do it. Otherwise, Grandma will sell everything, and you know what will happen. It will be torn down and turned into a housing development.”

I couldn’t respond because she was right.

“I just need to figure out which guy has potential. Maybe one of the guys I’ll see in the next few days.”

What had I done? Was I unwittingly pushing these two closer together? What if this guy enjoyed the outdoors? What if this was the guy she’d marry? Even if it started out as fake, it could turn into something more. They’d be playing house after all. Everyone knew that could feel real after a while. I’d seen the movies. Those might have been fiction, but this was a risk I shouldn’t have taken.

“You’re the best, Wes. Thank you.”

“That’s what I’m here for.” Apparently, to plan her dates with other men.

Even if it killed me, I was going to be there. I didn’t trust myself not to say what was really on my mind. That no guy was good enough for Sutton. No one understood her burning desires or put her first.

No one would treat her like I did. Unfortunately, she couldn’t see it. She’d only ever seen me as a friend. Someone to lean on when she was upset and someone to take care of her when she was in an accident. I loved that role, but I was about to lose it to her new life partner. One who surely wouldn’t want me around.

By Sunday, I was a wreck. Sutton had gone on a few more dates. She limited them to drinks in case she didn’t like them; only one had continued to dinner. That was the guy she was bringing to the farm. Apparently, this guy had potential to be her husband, and I was dying to know what it was that this guy had that I didn’t.

I’d made sure I was lingering around the barn when Sutton said they’d be there. I took solace in the fact that they’d driven separately. If this guy was a gentleman, wouldn’t he have insisted on picking her up?

I met Sutton at her driver’s side door, opening it. She stepped out in skintight jeans, furry boots, and a red puffer jacket. She looked gorgeous.

When I closed the door, she threw her arms around my neck. “I’ve missed you.”

She pressed her body against mine, and even though I couldn’t feel anything beneath the layers, it still had me on edge. I shouldn’t want my best friend. I shouldn’t be thinking about her curves or how she’d feel with nothing between us.

We hadn’t spent any time together since the day after Thanksgiving when she was still recovering from her accident and her grandmother’s ultimatum. Now, she looked polished as if she’d fully recovered from the shock of both.

“Your car is fixed.”

She smoothed a hand over the red paint. “Just got it back today. Had to take it for a drive.”

“You should buy something more suited for winter weather.”

Sutton shrugged. “What’s the fun in that?”

I swear she did things like this to drive me crazy. She knew I worried about her. “But you’d be safer in something sturdier. Like that over there.” I pointed at the white Tahoe. “It’s like a tank.”

“I love the white. Perfect for winter.”

I shook my head. Sometimes it was hard to identify with Sutton, how money wasn’t an issue for her. She had a trust fund, but it wasn’t enough to buy the property from her grandmother. I think that was by design too.

Sutton patted my cheek, then lifted on tiptoes to kiss my cheek.

“What was that for?” She was being overly affectionate today when it seemed like she usually kept her distance.

“I’m nervous. I want you to approve of whomever I marry.”

“That’s not going to happen. I don’t like this plan or the rush to get married.”

Sutton merely rolled her eyes, used to my overprotective ways. “Give Ashton a chance. I feel good when I’m with him.”

“Marriage is more than someone making you feel good, and you barely know him.”

“That’s why we’re here, to see if he’s a good guy. Oh, there he is now.”

A sleek black sedan parked next to her convertible, and an impeccably dressed man got out. What was he thinking wearing pressed slacks, a wool peacoat, and polished dress shoes to a Christmas tree farm?

“Seriously?”

Sutton grinned at me, then touched my arm. “Give him a chance. Please? For me?”

I groaned. “Fine.”

She grinned wider as she pulled me by the wrist over to Ashton. The closer we got, the more obvious it was that he was wearing cologne. Probably some expensive brand that aired commercials.

Ashton’s brow furrowed as his gaze snagged on Sutton’s hand on my wrist. I tried to shake free, but Sutton had a death grip on me. Was she nervous and needed my support, or was it something else ?

“Ashton, I’m so glad you could make it.” Sutton finally let go of me and hugged Ashton. Ashton’s hand gripped her hip in a possessive way that had me wanting to forcibly remove it. He probably didn’t need the use of his hand for his line of work.

He dropped his head slightly, whispering something in her ear. Sutton giggled as she stepped back. “This is my best friend, Wes Calloway. His family owns the farm.”

Ashton scrutinized me, probably taking in the worn jeans and farm T-shirt, dismissing me as lacking. “How quaint.”

My jaw ached from how tightly I was grinding my teeth. I’d never heard anyone describe our farm as quaint. Sure, it was smaller than the Monroe Christmas Tree Farm, but that didn’t mean it was cute.

“Are you excited to cut down a tree?” Sutton asked Ashton.

His brow furrowed. “I thought we could grab one from the lot. You know, one that’s already precut.”

“What’s the fun in that?” I couldn’t help but ask. I was goading him, but I couldn’t help myself. It was like someone else had taken command of my body and was calling the shots. “Real men cut their own tree down.”

Ashton’s eyes flashed with irritation, and Sutton shot me a confused look. I didn’t have answers for her because I didn’t feel like myself.

His hand drifted down Sutton’s arm, and his fingers interlaced with hers. The irritation melted into a smile. “Let’s do it.”

“Really?” Sutton turned, her free hand squeezing his bicep.

Was her chest pressed against his arm, or was it just me? It was little consolation that he couldn’t feel anything more than I could when I was close to her. I was sure he was imagining all the ways he could get her naked after this farce of a date.

“Whatever you want,” Ashton said to her, and I barely restrained myself from breaking him in half when Sutton kissed his cheek like she had mine.

I gestured with my hand as I took off for the farthest field from the barn, the one that was uphill with rocky terrain.

“What’s wrong with these trees?” Ashton huffed as he tried to keep up with my pace.

That told me he didn’t work out. He spent all his time in his fancy country clubs and offices, and the most workout he got was swinging a golf club while sipping a cocktail.

I paused so I could see his expression. “I’m taking you to the family’s field. The one we don’t let anyone else cut from. They’re the best trees. You want the best, don’t you?”

He swallowed hard. “Of course.”

Sutton merely grinned at Ashton.

Not wanting to see, I resumed my pace.

Normally, we’d drive to the family field, but I was in the mood to test this guy, and so far, he was losing. He didn’t work out, he dressed way too nicely, and he smelled too good. Fuck. I sounded like a judgmental asshole, but it didn’t stop me from pounding my way up the hill, getting joy whenever Ashton stumbled.

He was an entitled prick and not nearly good enough for my best friend. And the biggest problem was that Ashton didn’t realize that. He thought it was the other way around, and I was going to be happy to disabuse him of that notion.

There was a niggling thought in my head that Sutton might not like the way I was acting, but I was too far gone to rein myself in. This train was off the tracks and barreling down a mountain. Nothing could stop me from the cringeworthy crash at the bottom.

When we’d passed the fields open for cutting and hiked farther away from any other customers or public parts of the farm, I slowed. The field where I’d just cut down a tree with Sutton. My heart hurt at the memory. Why couldn’t it be me on Sutton’s arm?

I kept coming back to the same idea but there was zero chance Mrs. Rosesmith wanted Sutton to marry me. Maybe I’d kill two birds with one stone: piss off the grandmother and protect Sutton.

“Are you okay?” Sutton asked.

When I turned my attention to her, she was still holding Ashton’s hand, but she was frowning. “Of course, I am.” I wasn’t the one who was sweating and breathing hard. He was going to have to dry clean those clothes.

But as I resumed walking into a row of the field, I quickly went through a pros and cons list. Pro— I get to marry Sutton, the woman I’d been lusting after my entire life. Con— I probably had to keep my hands off her because it would be a fake arrangement. Positive— I get her out of this asshat’s clutches. Negative— I still won’t be able to touch her how I want to.

My head was starting to ache. Why did I think it was a good idea to crash Sutton’s date?

“Maybe you could tell us something about the trees?” Ashton said, his voice full of that commanding authority he gave to people he probably thought were lesser than him. The servants, the waitresses, the help. The idea burned in my gut. Did Sutton think the same?

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