She would've worn some of it if I added something with bling to it, like a diamond-studded buckle or piece of new jewelry. But I'm learning that's not Georgia. She doesn't like flashy. But I already know she'll still be the one everybody stares at in the room. Not only because she's new in town and with me, but because it's her. She lights up every room she steps into. No one can outshine her.

"No!" she declares as her smile grows.

"I win!" Emma cries out.

"Ugh!" Isabella groans.

My stomach flips faster and faster, and I question again why I feel so nervous. It's not like I've not been on dates before.

This isn't a real date.

It's just to fool my family.

Is it?

Yes. Stay the course.

It'll be good for us to get off this ranch for a night.

She really is beautiful.

It doesn't matter. Stop confusing things, I reprimand myself.

I interrupt, "Are you ready to go?"

She glances at me, and my heart misses a beat. Then she holds out her two fingers. "Two seconds. Let me help the girls clean up."

I blurt out, "Where's your ring?" My pulse creeps higher.

She freezes, then checks out her finger. Her cheeks grow red. She winces. "Sorry. I forgot it. Let me go get it." She rises.

My chest tightens again.

How did I get it so wrong?

She hates the ring. She won't come right out and say it, but I know she does.

Georgia tells the girls, "You gals clean up while I get my ring. Okay?"

"All right," Emma says.

"On it," Isabella exclaims.

Georgia passes by me, and her sugary-rose perfume fills the air. She states, "Be right back."

"No rush," I tell her, then go over and help the girls clean up. I give each of my nieces a kiss on the head, inquiring, "Did you have a good day with Georgia?"

Emma nods. "She's so much fun."

"We love her," Isabella claims.

I love her too.

Shit. What am I thinking?

Georgia bounces back into the room, chirping, "Got it," she holds her hand out.

The diamond glares on her finger. I stare at it, annoyed that it's so blatantly obvious how incorrect it is for her.

"What's wrong?" she questions.

"Nothing. Ready?"

"Yep."

"See you girls, later." I give them a wink, grab Georgia's hand, and lead her out of the house.

We step outside, and she asks, "Where are you taking me tonight?"

I answer, "Simmers."

"What's Simmers?" she inquires.

I boast, "Only the best barbecue in town, but we're going there for something else."

She arches her eyebrows. "What would that be?"

I grin. "They also have award-winning pecan pie."

Her face lights up brighter than I've seen it before. I pat myself on the back for getting one more thing right. She freezes and tilts her head. "Are you teasing me?"

"Nope!"

"Really? Are you going to have some?"