“Where did you say you’re from?”
“I didn’t say.”
“Well we can officially rule out the South.”
“Why’s that?” Maggie lifted a hand and threw it out to the side.
“Anyone from anywhere near a Southern state would definitely know what Roll Tide means, which makes you… a Yankee.”
“Oh my gosh! What does that even mean? I didn’t even know anyone still used that term anymore.” Maggie pushed back, feeling offended.
“Am I right?”
“I’m from Minnesota. Does that make me a Yankee?”
“Yup.” Chase grinned.
“Geez, you said it like it was a bad thing.” Maggie relaxed a little as she realized he was teasing her.
“Nah, not a bad thing. Just a thing we say.”
Maggie scrutinized the guy in front of her. Besides her coworkers at Urban Wear LA, he was the first person Maggie had met since moving to the city. She had so many questions for him. How did a Southern guy end up in Los Angeles, working as a bartender?He's like a package I want to unwrap...Whoa, that sounds way more provocative than I intended.She put her head down, smiling to herself.
“What’s so funny?” Chase eyed her with a smirk.
“Oh sorry, nothing.” Maggie shook her head and refocused, “I feel like you already know who you are. I envy that.”
“Nah, I still have a lot to learn about myself… and life. Trust me. And if you’re gonna try to,” Chase held up air quotes, “‘discover yourself’ by writing lists, you’re gonna be here til the cows come home—as my grandma would say.”
Chase had very little distinguishable accent most of the time, but when he used a Southern phrase the drawl came out.
Maggie smiled at this little quirk of his. For the first time, she really soaked him in. She was beginning to see some cowboy peeking through. The way his jeans were more boot cut than skinny, and the way his V-neck black T-shirt hugged his seemingly hard-earned biceps. Suddenly, Maggie realized she was staring and glanced toward the stage where someone was setting up a mic stand.
“So, what you’re saying is…” Maggie trailed off, not completely sure what Chase was advising.
“You’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Golly woman, you just draw the old grandma sayings right out of me.” Chase shook his head and Maggie noticed a hint of embarrassment.
“You still haven’t said anything that gives me a practical step I can do,” Maggie reminded him.
“You just gotta be spontaneous. You only live once, right?”
When Maggie shrugged, he continued, “It’s not an open mic tonight. It’s a local band. They’re good. And when they start, you and me are gonna dance. Deal?”
Chapter 4
Chase
Maggiestaredathimwide-eyed and terrified.
He couldn't believe that he had the nerve to tell her they were going to dance. The bar wasn’t a place where dancing normally happened. The music was more for ambiance. But, he had said it and had encouraged her to live a little.Did I really say ‘YOLO?’He felt heat rising to his cheeks, but he was determined to appear calm and confident. Maggie was glancing around the bar like she was going to bolt, so Chase reached across the table and put his hand over hers.
“Ten seconds, okay?”
“What?” Maggie’s face was pale.
“My mom used to tell me when I was nervous to just try something for ten seconds because anyone can handle that.”
Maggie repeated, “Ten seconds.” She shook her head up and down. “Okay, I can dance with you for ten seconds.”
