Ow.
The one who elbowed me glanced back. Then looked straight through me like I wasn’t there.
She had the kind of straight hair I’d always wanted, and her bright pink top showed off assets I wouldneverhave.
They swept through the entrance before me as I shrank back, the fire in my chest guttering out.
I knew those types of women.
They were the popular girls. The ones that got whatever man they wanted just by widening their eyes and sticking their chests out a little.
I stood there blinking as they poured through the door, feeling high school insecurities come flooding back… even though I was thirty years old.
My friend list was long these days. But back in high school, I’d been the nerdy outsider with a pear-shaped body, a dumpy butt, and a book glued in front of my face.
A bout of teen acne hadn’t helped things.
Or the fact that I’d listened to my mom for fashion advice.
Thank godthosedays were over, although the dumpy butt would stay with me for life.
Mina bumped my shoulder after the herd of perky outsiders went through the door.
“Come on,” she insisted, “let’s go get your man.”
I followed her inside, but any thought of finally telling Amos how I felt died when I spotted him.
What the hell?
Amos was at the front of the dance floor. He had the whole bar up with him. Everyone was line-dancing as he led them throughCountry Girl Shake by Luke Bryan.
He threw his arms up and let out a howl that bounced off the rafters, then turned and thrust his hips in tempo to the beat with absolutely zero shame.
The crowd let out a cheer when he did it. Well, the women did. The men just kept playing pool and drinking their beer.
Every woman in the building had their eyes on him while I stood at the edge of the dance floor, wilting in place.
Ofcoursethey were all watching him. I knew exactly how it felt to be incapable of looking away from his magic.
Amos Nelson was the guy every woman wanted… at least for one night.
He was bold in a way I’d never be. Afraid of nothing andalwaysup for a good time.
When the song ended, the crowd broke apart, and I saw the big-busted, pink-shirted woman who’d elbowed me earlier giving Amos a stare that saidshedefinitely noticed him.
Pink shirt smiled at him, slow and deliberate, and I watched in envy as his eyes caught on hers, lighting up.
He instantly started sauntering her way like a dog who’d just spotted a particularly tasty bone.
Pain burned through me.
If he walked her out that door tonight, I’d still be standing here next Friday, pretending I didn’t care.
Anyonebut Pink Shirt.
I couldn’t stomach the idea of him taking her home tonight.
My feet moved before I could stop them, as my heart hammered in my chest. I didn’t have a claim on this man, but I was claiming him anyway.
