Grace smiles, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.“Oh, Penny, it was wonderful! He opened doors for me, made sure I was warm and taken care of the entire time. And his eyes were always on me, made my brain malfunction.”
We both laugh, and something in my chest unclenches. It feels good, normal, to giggle with someone about something as simple as a boy.
“Then we got to the movies,” she continues, cheeks glowing pink,“and he put his arm around me. After a while, I felt him staring, so I turned to look at him and he brought his face to mine, and we kissed.” Grace looks up at the ceiling as if replaying the memory, then turns back to me with a dreamy sigh.“It was perfect. I never wanted that kiss to end.”
Her enthusiasm warms me in a way I didn’t expect. I missed this, having someone to share those moments with. My first date with Mark, I only had a roommate who didn’t even like me when he picked me up. No one to help me get ready, no one to ask how it went after. Just silence.
I would have loved to have that. But I can be that for Grace now.
I clap my hands together excitedly.“So you really like him?”
Her cheeks turn pink again, her green eyes wide.“I think I really do. I liked when he held me, and he smells… amazing. I can’t stop thinking about him.”
I grin, brushing a stray hair behind her ear.“Sounds like someone’s smitten.”
Grace bites her lip, frowning slightly.“But… what if I never stop caring about that other guy?” Her voice drops, and the uncertainty in it tugs at something I recognize all too well.
I pause, choosing my words carefully.“Time has a way of shifting things. Caleb clearly likes you, he’s smitten. And he’s not going anywhere. You’ll see that your heart has room for someone new.”
She exhales slowly, the tension leaving her shoulders, and nods.“Okay. I hope so.” Her blush returns, and she smiles.“I really do like Caleb a lot.”
We both grin, and for a second, I let myself just enjoy the lightness of it all, the laughter, the pink in her cheeks, the promise of something good.
By the time she’s finished helping me with the last touches, I barely recognize the woman staring back at me in the mirror. My hair falls in loose curls, my bruises are faded and hidden under just the right sweep of makeup, and my eyes, God, they almost sparkle. Grace drops a pair of worn cowgirl boots at my feet with a flourish.
“Go country, Penny,” she says with a wink.“Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”
???
The moment I step into Midnight Rodeo with Summer, the sound crashes over me like a wave. Boots stomp in rhythm, country music plays, and laughter rises above the clink of bottles. The air smells like sawdust, spilled beer, and barbecue smoke. My stomach flips, nerves and excitement tangling together.
It doesn’t take long to spot the Hawthornes. They are impossible to miss, tall, broad-shouldered, with that easy confidence rolling off them as if they own the place. Women hover close, laughing too loud, leaning in, orbiting them like moths around a porch light.
Dex is the first to notice me. His whistle cuts through the noise, low and teasing.“Well, damn. Penny cleaned up real good.”
I snort and roll my eyes at him, then let myself look at Cas. Of course he is wearing that tight Stetson low over his eyes and jeans that hug in all the right ways, paired with a black shirt that leaves nothing to the imagination. Damn.
Cas’s head snaps up, eyes devouring me, and my chest tightens. This man is killing me,slowly.
???
Casper
Dex’s low whistle barely registers before I spot her.
Penny.
That green dress is soft and flowing, hugging her in all the right places. Her cowgirl boots give her legs a mile-long stride, confidence in every step. Her hair falls in loose curls that bounce when she moves, catching the bar lights like spun gold. But it’s her eyes, whiskey-colored, warm, sharp. Damn near hypnotic.
They sweep over the room, and every nerve in my body snaps to attention.
Jude claps a hand on my shoulder, his grin crooked and knowing.“Cas, Hawthorne hard fall,” he drawls.“You’re toast, brother. Flat on your ass.”
I glare at him, heat climbing up my chest.“Shut up, Jude.”
Dex laughs, nudging me with his elbow.“She’s a knockout, man. You been smitten this bad since the old Lander rodeo days?”
I grit my teeth, trying to look anywhere but at her, but my eyes betray me, finding her again across the room.“Who’s her friend?”
