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I grin down at my drink—now half-consumed—and then glance at the dancefloor, thinking of all the times I’ve had to overcome that little voice in the back of my head telling me that something was too scary. It’s funny, as much as that voice hasquieted over the years, it never quite goes away. But I can tell when I’ll be able to win it over.

And in this moment, I know I can.

I look back to Cruz. “I’ll take you up on those line dancing lessons,” I say.

His eyes light up, and he stands, taking a step toward me and offering his hand. I stand and take it, and he leads us out onto the dance floor.

The band is in the middle of a song—something upbeat and catchy. Cruz finds an uninhabited corner, which I appreciate, and then stands a few feet away from me while still holding my hand.

“Okay,” he instructs, “you’re basically just stepping to the music. Watch me.”

I do, and he’s pretty much right. Line “dancing” is pretty much just line “stepping.”

“Okay, wanna try with me?” he prompts.

I nod, and he counts us off. On three, I follow his steps—to the right, a spin, to the left, and a kick. I findmyself giggling as I fall a few steps behind Cruz, trying my hardest to keep up.

“You’ve got it,” he assures me with a grin. “You’re doing great.” His voice is low, only for me—and it sends flashbacks of last night running through my mind. My cheeks burn, but it’s hot in here, so I don’t think it’s noticeable.

As I pick up the steps, he slowly adds more, and soon we’re simply grooving to the beat. I watch the dancers around me, the band up on stage, and I can feel my grin widening. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a place like this. No—IknowI’ve never been in a place like this. In fact, I never would have picked it. But this might just be the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time.

“You wanna know the best part about line dancing?” Cruz asks, breaking my steps to take both my hands in his and spin me around. He pulls me back against his chest, swaying with the music. “Nobody gives a fuck how anybodyelse dances.”

He releases me, guiding me to twirl out, away from him, and under his arm—and then he’s spinning me back in. And as my body presses against his, my hands to his chest, his on my waist, his smiling eyes gazing down at me, I realize there’s nowhere else in the world I’drather be.

Chapter 14

Addison

It’s well past midnight by the time we’re heading down the bumpy road on Thatcher Ranch. We spent the evening eating, drinking, and dancing our hearts out.

And honestly? I don’t think I’ve ever had a better date.

The Village comes into view around the bend, and a thought pops into my head. “Which cabin is yours?” I ask, gesturing to the fork in the road that leads to the staff cabins.

Cruz glances at me. “You wanna see it?”

I nod.

He takes the turn, driving down the road with cabins on either side of it. He makes a right, turning up a somewhat longer driveway than the rest of them, and about a hundred yards up sits a little cabin.

“So you get the fancy one, I see,” I say as he parks the car.

He chuckles. “Yeah, assistant foreman has its perks.”

“Fancy cowboy,” I coo.

He shakes his head, hopping out of the car, and I follow suit. He immediately grabs my hand as we walk, and my heart thuds a little bit louder in my chest. We’re both silent as he unlocks the door. We step inside, and he flicks on a light switch, illuminating the space.

The cabin is laid out similarly to mine, although it’s a bit smaller. A bit sparser too. While he’s got all the furniture he needs, it’s all simplistic, basic. And there really isn’t much on the walls. Or anywhere. He’s got a few coats hanging up by the door. But no trinkets, no …things.

“A minimalist?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I live a simple life.”

“And you like it.” It’s a statement but also a bit of a question.

He nods. “I do.”