“Don’t mind her,” Adrian mumbled, patting Goldie’s hand as he joined her down the stairs and back to the gym floor.
The remainder of the prizes was awarded, and the dishes were being cleared by the waiters and waitresses when Adrian asked if Goldie was ready to leave.
That she was. She couldn’t help but notice Danica and Mrs. Bear sharing secrets on the stage. Every time their glances trailed in Goldie’s direction, she told herself they were only looking at Adrian, though a sneaking suspicion told her it was just the opposite.
They were looking at her, which only made her wonder what exactly they’d been talking about.
***
Goldie carried her sign out to the car, waiting patiently while Adrian acknowledged people left and right and introduced her as his girlfriend from back East. She flinched every time, though she supposed it wasn’t an outright lie. He had officially asked her to be his temporary girlfriend. But the memory of their dance, of the way he’d held her, and the way her heart half wished it was real, was too bewildering.
It wasn’t real, and it could never be real. Until she found her aunt and found out exactly what was going on, she couldn’t allow herself to trust anyone—no matter how kind, generous, or gorgeous he was.
CHAPTER TEN
COLUMNAR STREET WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. The corner street lights, abandoned bikes in yards, and the occasional porch light were the only indications that anyone lived in any of the houses lined there. It seemed those who left the fundraiser hadn’t made it home yet.
A few bugs flitted in the light above Bethany Harold’s door. Goldie wrung her hands, toes throbbing in her too-high heels as she held the skirt of her dress to keep it from sweeping the ground. Adrian lingered near the wrought-iron railing surrounding the porch.
“Are you sure this is the right address?” he asked.
Goldie exhaled through a small opening in her lips. “I’m sure.”
Adrian set his jaw, climbed the steps, and pounded a few times on the door. He swept his jacket back to rest a hand at his waist and leaned in closer to the door as if seeking for the sound of footsteps.
“Maybe you’ll have better luck tomorrow,” he suggested, sliding his gaze to her.
Goldie gritted her frustration and rotated, taking the steps a little too quickly. She huffed and was tempted to remove the shoes that could also pass for weapons to the right bidder. These puppies wouldn’t make it past security at an airport, that was for sure. Seriously, how had she danced in these? They had to be at least five inches tall.
“Sorry she still isn’t here,” he said from behind her.
She turned and shot him a smile. “Thanks for bringing me by again. Do you mind if we head back now?”
“Not at all.” He offered her an arm, and she was grateful for the added support toward his car.
The fifteen-minute return drive flew by, probably because Goldie’s thoughts were leaping in all directions. Polite conversation with Adrian also helped. It was the kind of nonsense conversation that people on a momentary bus ride might exchange. The state of the weather, the last book they read. Inconsequential, really, but it meant a lot to her to have him with her.
The ranch was shadowed and hushed, being lulled to sleep by chirping crickets and hooting owls. Goldie’s shoes had started pinching her toes again, and tiredness plucked at her eyes. She was ready to change into something comfortable, tuck into bed and escape into sleep for the next few hours.
She exited his car as he did the same. He buttoned his jacket and made his way to her.
“I had a great time,” she told him. She reached for her hair, only remembering it was tucked at the base of her neck when her hands met her skin. She did her best to brush the action off. It was totally normal for her to stroke her neck, right?
“I did, too.”
They stared at each other at the foot of Rustic Ridge’s porch. The air was cool, but it was Adrian’s direct regard that gave her goosebumps.
Goldie wasn’t sure how to politely end the evening. “I’m okay from here,” she said.
He rested a hand on the railing. “You sure? I don’t mind walking you in.”
She folded her arms and fought against a yawn. The evening had definitely been diverting and amazing, but she was so tired. No one was around to play the fake-dating card to, and after the dizzying effect his dancing had on her, she wasn’t sure she could handle any more confusing hugs from him tonight.
“I’m sure. Thanks, by the way. For everything you’ve done. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”
“I’m happy to help.” He rested a foot on the bottom step. “I mean that, you know. I’m glad you came with me tonight. You made a torturous evening bearable.”
She laughed away the force of his attention and took the first step, needing distance. “It wasn’t that bad.”
He inched toward her. Her body tensed. His eyes were so intense, so glistening and hypnotizing in the night air. “Trust me, if you hadn’t been there, it would have been exactly that bad.”
She swallowed. She wasn’t sure what he meant by that, and his proximity was beginning to have the same intoxicating effect it’d had on her all evening. She backed up another step, finally giving in and kicking off Kimmy’s heels and scooping them up in her hand. Her feet rested flat against the step.
“Where are you staying?” she asked.
He pointed in the direction of Chase and Kimmy’s house, past the barn. “Just up the road. Remember I pointed out my mom and brother’s house? I’m staying with them.”
Tension crackled through the air between them. This was the moment of truth after every date, the moment where goodbye could be final, or where it could start something she wasn’t completely sure she knew how to handle. Adrian
