Page 7 of Her Cowboy Blind Date
Sam continued eating ice cream. Pete and Matt were realtors in their father’s firm, and clients calling during dinner was normal.
Pete was stuck in the middle. When Pete had asked Sam to be a groomsman a year earlier, neither of them had imagined that Sam and Miley would split, much less that Miley would marry Matt prior to Pete and Emma’s wedding.
Sam wanted to bail on the groomsman duties, and Pete had held out hope that Sam would change his mind. How could Sam participate in the wedding knowing Miley was Pete’s sister-in-law?
Years ago, Sam and Matt had been friends. They’d attended the same church and played together on the high school football team. Matt was a year older, the star quarterback who never lacked female attention.
Matt had changed colleges and switched majors after he was injured and lost his football scholarship. Sam had thought it was good that Matt had chosen to attend the same Illinois college as Miley. Good, right up until Matt had swooped in and charmed Miley into falling for him.
During Miley’s final year at college, Sam had been a fool not to see the signs that their relationship was on the rocks. Miley had broken up with Sam after spring break last year and announced in June that she was in a relationship with Matt.
Pete returned to the kitchen. “Sorry about that. I need an answer to the question.”
The question that had been a problem between them since June. “I want to bail.”
“I can’t change your mind?”
He shook his head. “It’s too awkward for everyone.”
Pete frowned. “You’ll still come to the wedding.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss yours and Emma’s special day.” He’d blend into the crowd, stay away from cameras, and try to avoid an awkward encounter with Miley. She was immature and didn’t think before she opened her mouth. Cindy had described Miley as having no filter. Insensitive was Mom’s description.
Pete sat opposite, his gaze serious. “I don’t want Miley to drive you away.”
“She won’t.” He’d survive being in close proximity with Miley. Somehow. If he could avoid her at church, he could avoid her at a wedding. Distance was a good idea.
Pete cleaned up his ice cream bowl. “Have you lined up a plus-one, now you’re not in the bridal party?”
“Do I need a plus-one?”
“Em insists you do, to send a clear message to Miley that you’ve moved on. I’m with Em on this one.”
He shook his head. “Miley marrying Matt was moving on. Why would Miley care about who I take to the wedding?”
“Miley shouldn’t care, but Em said she’s asking questions about you.”
He nodded. Sam didn’t want to know what Miley was doing. Miley was history. Last summer, he’d spent hours talking and praying with his pastor about the situation. He’d prayed Miley and Matt would be happy together. When Sam moved to the ranch, he could leave Gilead and the Miley mess behind, and start over.
Sam glanced at the time displayed on the oven. Five minutes to seven. He had plenty of time to change and make his way to Heavenly Brew for his blind date with the mysterious Becky.
“Pete, there’s something I didn’t tell you about this thing I’m doing tonight.”
“What’s happening?”
“Cindy talked me into going on a blind date.”
Pete’s eyes widened. “That’s great news. She could be your plus-one. Problem solved.”
He shrugged off Pete’s enthusiasm. “I’ll find out soon.” The date could be a massive disaster. Why had he allowed Cindy to talk him into it? A blind date was a bad idea. He’d always been a bundle of nerves before a first date, let alone a blind first date.
“Don’t scare her away.” Pete grinned. “If Cindy has chosen her, she must have potential.”
“We’ll see.” He had low expectations.
“I’ll leave you to get ready. Have fun.”
“I’ll try.” He farewelled Pete, and the reality of the wedding situation sank in. Pete and Emma were worried about Miley ruining their wedding. The former cheerleader had a history of attention-seeking grandstanding. Miley upstaging Emma on her wedding day would be entirely in character and would create unnecessary drama within Pete’s family.