“I’ve accepted that I’ll go alone and endure whatever happens. Alone. And no, I won’t sleep with Holly. No matter how much wine I’ve had or how much she flirts with me. I won’t do it. There! I’ve said it. So, I’m okay with it. I have to be.” She turned her head to look at the “earthy” woman. Yeah, she was cute. She was sitting at a table near one of the flowerbeds, out in the sunshine. She had on sunglasses again today. Her jeans had dirt stains on each knee and some on the side, as if she’d wiped her hand there. Instead of a cafeteria tray, she had a white bag with orange stripes advertising Whataburger, and she had her meal spread out before her. “She is attractive, though,” she said, voicing her thoughts. Then she held up her hand. “But no, I will not ask her to be my fake date. Even I’m not that crazy.”

As she stared, the woman turned her head, looking right at her. Or so she thought. The dark sunglasses shielded her eyes and Abby quickly turned away.

Chapter Four

Two weeks later, Abby stood there—like an idiot—staring at the woman. Sharon had talked her into it. Sharon had sent her away from their table in a near fit of giggles at the prospect. It was the phone call that did it. Her mother again. And yes, as expected, Aaron and Holly would be announcing their wedding plans over the holidays. Her response to the news had been feigned nonchalance and indifference. As she’d told her mother—and herself—she couldn’t care less about it all. She was fairly certain that Holly wouldn’t be the first lesbian to get married. It was the second bit of news, though, that threw her.

“I think they want to do an early summer wedding. I hope it’s here in Red River since that was where they met, but they may want to do it in Dallas where their friends are. And honey, now don’t take this wrong, but as a thanks to you for introducing them, Aaron thinks you should be the maid of honor. Holly is in agreement. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Abby had literally spit out her coffee, spraying her laptop in the process. Maid of fucking honor? Are they out of their freakin’ minds?

So here she stood, about to make a fool of herself in front of a complete stranger. If the woman didn’t call the police and charge her with solicitation, it would be a miracle. The woman turned to her, arching one eyebrow above the rim of her sunglasses. A smile followed, and Abby found herself returning it.

“May I help you with something?” the woman asked.