“Don’t you worry, Summer,” Lily says, looping an arm around Mia.“This girl and I have plans tonight.”
Josh drapes an arm over both of them.“We’re having movie night and a slumber party, aren’t we, Mia?” He winks, and she nods eagerly.
“You girls go have fun,” Lily calls as we head for the door.“Oh, and if any of my kids sing, please make videos!”
We all laugh, the sound bright and easy, echoing behind me as I step out into the night, my winter coat on and the fabric of my green dress whispering against my skin. For once, I don’t pull it down or hide.
Cassie walks over as we head toward Cas’s truck, her boots crunching softly against the gravel.
“You coming too?” I ask.
“Yes.” She smiles, and I notice for the first time that her braces are gone and her glasses are missing. Her eyes look wider now, brighter, framed by long lashes I never realized she had.
“Did you get your braces removed? You look good!” I smile, genuine warmth rising in my chest.
She ducks her head, hair falling forward.“Thank you.”
Grace loops an arm around her, grinning.“She’s gorgeous.”
Cassie blushes deeper.
“I have a surprise for all of you!” Grace claps her hands dramatically, then swings open Cas’s truck door and pulls out a massive bag. With a theatrical flourish, she produces four white Stetsons.
“Cowboy up, girls!” she says, grinning wide enough to make us all laugh.
We can’t help it, laughter bursts out as we each take one, setting them on our heads.
“Alright, ladies,” Grace says, striking a pose.“Ready for our Thursday beer, fun, aaaaand karaoke night?”
“No beer for my sister and Cassie,” Cas cuts in, his sheriff stare fully activated.
Penny scoffs and tosses her hair.“Of course not, Sheriff.”
He smirks.“I like it when you call me Sheriff.”
Grace groans.“Alright, cut it off. This is girls’night, not smooch-your-girlfriend night.”
“Fiancée,” Cas corrects smugly.
We all laugh, the easy sound carrying into the crisp night air.
???
We pull into the Midnight Rodeo, the parking lot already buzzing with pickups and laughter spilling from the entrance. Neon lights flicker red and blue across the gravel, music thumping faintly through the walls.
Cas opens the door for us, and the warmth hits immediately, a heady mix of beer, cologne, fried food, and something sweet, like whiskey and sawdust. The low hum of conversation mingles with the twang of a country song as someone belts out karaoke on stage, slightly off-key but full of heart.
The girls start peeling off their coats.
“Oh no, you won’t,” Grace says, shaking her head when I hesitate.“Take that coat off, Summer. It’s hot in here!”
“I’m fine, really,” I protest weakly.
“Summer,” she warns.
I sigh and hand it to Cas. The air prickles against my bare skin, the green fabric suddenly feeling bolder under the neon glow.
“Summer, you look gorgeous in that dress!” Penny links her arm through mine as we weave through the crowd toward a high-top table.
