Dating the Cowboy Page 3

  Troy Sheehan glanced at the milling crowd and headed over to shake his hand. “Crease. Welcome home. Jethro, Nate. Good to see you again.”

  His brothers shook hands with the owner of the Graff Hotel where they’d gotten into too many bar fights to remember. Now they were older and wiser, Troy shook their hands instead of twisting it behind their backs as he marched them out of the bar like he used to do.

  “Good to see you again, Troy.”

  “Likewise, Jethro. How are things out at the ranch? Hear you’ve expanded your herd again to include some Texas Longhorns.”

  Jethro nodded, a grin on his face now that he was talking cattle. “Yes, we have. Fine-looking beasts they are too. You should come out one day and have a look.”

  “I might take you up on that. Been thinking about them myself.” Troy took a beer Crease handed him and cast a glance around the room. “Thanks. So, this dating business wasn’t what I was expecting after five years of college, Crease. Why?”

  Crease’d been waiting for someone to ask him this question. “Have you seen the divorce rate these days? It’s shocking, and I can’t see anyone doing much about it. Do you know what the statistics are, Troy?”

  Troy shrugged. “Nope. I’m happily married so it wasn’t anything I needed to worry about.”

  “Fifty percent. Fifty percent of all marriages in the United States during 2018 ended in divorce. As a child of divorced parents, I think it’s time to stand up and change that.” Both Jethro and Nate stared at him, their mouths open.

  Alice slipped in beside him and he put his arm around her to keep her there. “Alice and I have it all worked out. We’re not like some of those other dating sites that rely on air-brushed photos and fake information you can swipe right on. This isn’t a hookup for a quick one-night stand. No, sir. We’re more thorough than that. No lunch dates either because, seriously, who can decide if the guy sitting across the table from you is ‘the one’ over a bowl of pasta?” He shook his head and glanced at Alice. “This fabulous woman has joined forces with me to come up with the perfect way to find your match, and I reckon we’ve nailed it.”

  Troy sipped his beer before commenting. “And, pray tell, how do you do that?”

  Alice stood straighter. “I mine data about every client. They fill out an intensive information sheet when they sign up and I go to work. I discount suggestions of what they think they want and find the perfect match based on their own data. Hopefully ‘the one’ will be easier to find if they’ve answered honestly.”

  “Tell me how that works.” Nate joined in the conversation. “If I didn’t want to give you that much information, for personal reasons, for example, how would you find out what I do and don’t like?”

  “Do you have a Facebook page, Nate?”

  Nate looked between them. “Yeah, doesn’t everyone?”

  Alice grinned. “Just about. Over one billion people to be exact. You have no idea how much information you give away on that page. I just happen to know how to mine it to extract the relevant data, and it all goes into a big file I analyze along with what you tell me, to find you the type of person you should be looking for versus the person you have in your mind as a dream mate. What you think you want and what you really need are two different things.”

  Nate’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious? Facebook?”

  Alice grinned. People were always shocked when they found out how much personal information they let slip online with their social media posts. No matter how often the subject came up on the news, it made little difference to how people acted online. They still overshared information for anyone to see. “Yes. Haven’t you ever wondered how those social media sites work?”

  Nate screwed up his face. “Well, I go and like people’s posts. Maybe put a few things up myself and comment on something that interests me, but no, I’ve never really given it much thought.”

  “And haven’t you wondered why you suddenly get ads trying to sell you things you might have mentioned in passing or scrolled through on a website?”

  Nate gave her a blank look. “No.”

  “Everything you do online can be tracked. There’s this little thing called a tracking pixel that Facebook can put on your page. It records every website you go to, and it stores that data. Then companies that advertise on Facebook can target you. Pretty cool, eh?”

  Nate’s mouth dropped open. “Shit, really?”

  Alice laughed. “Yes, really. If you’re worried about Big Brother finding out what you’re up to, it’s too late. Everything is out there, ready for anyone who has a clue about how to strip that data.”

  “This girl is incredible with statistics and figuring out how to use them.” Crease hugged Alice tight. “I’d be lost without her.”

  “Oh, so you two found each other that way then? It makes sense now seeing you both together. You’re talking from experience. Clever move.” Troy raised his glass in a salute and then wandered off to mix with the crowd.

  “No.” Crease stared at Troy Sheehan’s back and willed him to turn around so he could explain the real relationship between him and Alice.

  “Suck it up, Crease. I’m not such a bad person to get lumped in with.” Alice dug him in the ribs and he burst out laughing, startling the people closest to them. She knew exactly where to poke her sharp fingers to get the best reaction from him, too.

  He reached for her and cupped her face in his hands. “No, you’re pretty special. The best, in fact.” He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose before she rested her face against his chest.

  Jethro cleared his throat. “So, little brother. You’re doing this because of the folks?”

  Crease said over Alice’s head, “Some. We had it pretty rough growing up, and if it weren’t for Grandpa, it would’ve been worse. But that’s my point, guys. It doesn’t have to be. If people could take off the rose-tinted goggles and choose the right person the first time, the divorce rate would drop. It’s amazing how many people choose their life partner because of looks or money. Not many dating sites take into consideration the basics, like who hogs the bathroom or if you prefer to be the driver in the relationship or the passenger or if you want to share everything fifty-fifty. They’re too focused on superficial things, like jobs and social contacts. That’s wrong in my mind and isn’t the least bit helpful long-term. Looks fade, social standing can change any moment, and none of that brings long-lasting love. I want to dig deeper into people’s wants and needs and see the good things happen.”

  “So you and Alice…”

  “Worked it out together. Yes, we did.” He signaled the waiter. “Anyone for another drink? This is a night to celebrate on us. Don’t hold back.”

  Chapter Three

  Don’t hold back. Those words thumped inside his head. What an idiot. The signups had been so great, even better than they’d anticipated; Crease had talked Alice into their own little private party after everyone had gone home. They’d turned off the lights and hurried upstairs to their apartment with a wad of papers and a bottle of champagne. They’d flipped through the forms and laughed hysterically about how the evening had gone. Everything they’d predicted had happened but on a grander scale.

  “We did it, Crease. We made a first-class impression.”

  “You know why, don’t you?” He reached out and twisted a dark curl around his fingers.

  “Because we studied and put together the perfect plan, that’s why. Just like we learned in college.” Alcohol slurred her voice and she stumbled over the words.

  How on earth did she miss the way everyone looked at them last night? Probably because she didn’t know everyone like he did and thought they were all just being sweet and welcoming. In reality, they were sizing her up and wondering how he’d gotten so lucky to have someone as gorgeous as Alice Winter on his arm and in his life. Even he’d admit it was a far cry from the boy he used to be.

  “Not quite. They think we’re together. Didn’t you hear Troy Sheehan? I got so many knowing looks
last night too. Hints about being in love and some you don’t want to know about. I’m guessing everyone else thinks the same and that’s why they’re trusting us to help them find their perfect match.”

  “Because they think we’re in love.” Her eyes got comically huge when it hit her.

  “You got it. So, how do we break the news to them that we’re not?”

  Alice giggled hysterically for a moment, paused to stare at him, and giggled again. When she finally had herself together she tried to form a sentence. “How about we just tell them the truth? That could work.”

  Crease didn’t have to think about it. He’d already been chewing it over all evening, wondering how he was going to bring it up without scaring Alice off. “Do you think that’s wise? I mean, should we be the romantic couple for a bit? Let them think what they like until we match some folks and show the town how successful we can be? Would it really hurt to play it up a bit?”

  She put down her glass. “So, would we have to do stuff like kissing?” She blinked and then rolled over laughing again.

  He sighed. And to think he wanted to date her when they first met. She’d be the death of him yet. Alice had never been one to pump up his ego. She told him the truth, whether he liked it or not. His biggest problem would be touching her and not letting himself think it was all for real.

  “Maybe just a bit. Not too much ’cause that would be weird.” For her obviously, not for him.

  Alice rolled over onto her back, hooked her feet over the back of the couch, and stared at the ceiling. He could see her mind clicking as she tossed back and forth the pros and cons of what he was suggesting. “If you really think it will help, sure. It’s not like I’m here forever anyway and I don’t have a boyfriend to get jealous. From what I hear, you’re a pretty cool kisser, and we’ve never explored that option between us.”

  She stared at him, her lips moving as if she was testing out the idea of locking lips with him. Alice grinned—maybe the idea appealed to her even after her earlier laughter. But it was the practical Alice who spoke up. “The good folk of Marietta will get the hint sooner or later that we aren’t the real deal. Just don’t surprise me and be too sappy, okay? I like the snappy Crease, the fun guy I know and trust. I don’t think I could handle the romantic Crease too much. Romantic anyone isn’t in my future right now.”

  Hopes dashed.

  She liked the snappy Crease. But not enough to date him officially. Which meant, since he was sappy Crease at heart, friendship was his only foothold.

  Better to preserve that gift at all costs until he could prove they’d made the right business decision by coming to Marietta. Maybe then she’d understand him better and contemplate a future together. But he wasn’t holding his breath.

  Eventually, Crease convinced Alice it was time to call it a night.

  But when he rolled over the next morning, he met resistance in the shape of a warm body. Crease forced his eyes open. A mass of dark curls tumbled over the pillow beside him. He closed his eyes again and groaned. How the heck did that happen?

  *

  “Stop overanalyzing this. We didn’t do anything.” Alice gently turned her head to face Crease. The sheer panic on his face made her want to giggle. But besides that, there was a little pang of remorse. It would’ve been easy to take things further last night because neither of them would’ve called a halt to it. They were both high on success and champagne.

  He lifted the blanket and looked under the sheets. The relief on his face when he realized he was still partially clothed was comical.

  “So glad you’re not disappointed.” Was that a hint of bitterness in her voice?

  And when did she get to the point of wanting more than friendship with him? Could it be he was beginning to mean more to her now she’d known him for so long? Maybe seeing him with people he knew had made more of an impression than she first thought. Being back in his hometown had softened him even more, and that man appealed to her. Made her see how sweet he really was. And she had to admit, waking up to him this morning hadn’t scared her as much as it’d scared him. She was quite comfortable snuggled up to his warm body, and since they’d agreed to pretend they were a couple… well, maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

  How many years had Crease tried to date her? Five. That was a long time to be persistent, and she really had no reason to deny him anymore. He wasn’t the fumbling young man he was when they first met. Now he was a guy she could see herself settling down with. Confident, caring, and kind.

  But had she waited too long?

  He wiped his hands over his face and stared at the ceiling. “You know I love you. I think it’ll complicate things if we get to that stage.”

  “That stage. You mean if we throw sex into the mix. For someone who is so articulate when it comes to women, Crease, you’re fumbling when it’s only me in the room.”

  He threw back the sheet, slid out of the bed, and grabbed his jeans, avoiding eye contact with her. “You took me by surprise, is all. I must have forgotten you stayed over.”

  Alice lifted herself up onto one elbow and watched him dress. “Stayed over? Has it slipped your mind that we both live in this apartment?”

  “I don’t understand.” He snapped the button on his jeans and looked around for his shirt. He found it on the floor and shook it out, frowning over the wrinkles.

  “I’m always here with you, Crease. We’ve been sharing a dwelling for ages.”

  He stopped at the door, his hand on the handle, giving her a worried look. “But not a bed. You have your own room. I don’t remember you ending up in mine, is all.”

  She crawled out of the bed and walked over to him, trying not to regret talking long into the night and falling asleep beside him. “Would it be such a bad thing if we explored that kind of relationship?” Funny she was asking that question now when she was the one who didn’t want to date him initially. But that was before she knew the sweet, sensitive guy he was. Before her feelings started to change.

  He raised his eyebrows and she hated the sadness she found in the deep blue depths of his eyes. So unlike the happy-go-lucky Crease she usually saw.

  “You’re going away, Alice. Nothing good would come of us getting emotionally involved with each other, a relationship doomed before it started because long-distance affairs don’t work. How many times have we dealt with that in college? Too many. It’d ruin what we have now. I can’t do that because I don’t want to lose you as my best friend.”

  She patted him on the arm. “You’re right. We’re best friends and it needs to stay that way. In the future, I think we should keep the celebrating down to a minimum and maybe we won’t get caught like this again. Neither of us can do that much alcohol and be sensible. Excuse me.” She slipped past him out of his bedroom and into the bathroom before he could see the pain in her eyes. She only had herself to blame for the way their friendship was going.

  Alice peered at her face in the mirror from bleary eyes. Last night had been fantastic. So many clients had signed up for their services and celebrating had seemed like a good idea at the time. Sure, she loved Crease. He was her best friend. The only person who got her weird sense of humor and could take a joke when nobody else thought it was funny. They often said the same thing at the same time, finished each other’s sentences like an old married couple, and even came up with the same bright ideas. They were the ideal couple.

  That was what made it perfect for them to go into business together. He was right, the last thing they needed was sex to complicate things. Alice would do what they agreed on until she finally got her interview and, fingers crossed, a job offer, then she would do her share of the business remotely just like they discussed. That would work. She’d make sure of it.

  Little hammers pounded in her head, and she turned on the shower, determined not to let last night get awkward between them.

  So over breakfast she brought it up again. “You’re right, you know.”

  “Yeah?” A hint of a smi
le kissed his lips. The first of the morning.

  “Yes. We have such a great thing going between us it’d be a shame to ruin it because hormones got in the way. I have my plans and I shouldn’t deviate from that because I’ll only regret it. I don’t think it’s worth losing my best friend over.” She picked up a piece of crispy bacon and waved it like a flag to make a point. Crease snatched it and tossed it in his mouth, a big grin making it impossible for her to be cross at him.

  “You are such a child sometimes.”

  “You love me.” He handed her a piece of his in return. She opened her mouth and bit it when he held it in front of her lips. “I agree. Let’s get this figured out here and now because last night’s conversation is moot. We were both a bit drunk on success and champagne.” He steepled his fingers in front of him. “Everyone seems to be of the opinion that you and I are an item. Which I feel made a huge difference in the signups we got. They think we’re a product of our service, the same service we’re offering them. It’s a massive drawing card we should use as much as we can.”

  “Exactly! I can’t tell you how many girls told me they want what I have.” By the end of the evening she’d heard it so many times her face hurt from smiling.

  A twinkle shone in Crease’s eyes. “So they want me, too, do they? I hope you told them I was taken.”

  She batted his hand. “Stop it. You know what I mean. To be honest, I think we’re our own best advertisement. We need to ham this up more for the public if it works so well. If, or should I say when, I get my interview, we can act like we’re drifting apart and by then, hopefully the business will have plenty of satisfied customers and it won’t matter that I’m not here.”

  Crease raised his hand and high-fived her over the table. “Deal. Now, love of my life, let’s get down to the office and log in all those signup forms. You’re going to be analyzing data forever by the look of things.”