“That’s not fair,Chicago,” he teased.
“You forget you’re talking to a Texas-born cowgirl!” Ipointed to the sign.
Welcome to Texas! Drive friendly-the Texas way.
My heart sank to my shoes as we entered the Lone Star State.
What was waiting for me in my hometown?
~~~
It was late afternoon by the time we rolled into Amarillo. The giant horizon of gorgeous pinks and oranges stretched for miles.
My dad used to joke that if one of the cows got out, we could watch him run away for days and catch up when we wanted. Amarillo was seriously the flattest place I’d ever seen.
My stomach was doing flip-flops. I hadn’t been there since my high-school graduation day. Every street was bringing back vivid memories I’d worked so hard to put away. I hated it.
“So, where does your mom live? Does she know we made it?” Colton asked innocently.
I cleared my throat, forcing myself to tear my eyes away from the window. “Uh, we can make a planto see her tomorrow. She’s…probably…uh…she’s out tonight.”
Wow, smooth, Allegra. Why are you in marketing? You’d clearly make an excellent lawyer!
“I’ll ask her…we’ll text…I’ll make a plan with her to seeher tomorrow,” I stuttered my way through another awkward sentence.
“Are you okay?” Colton asked, his dark eyebrows knitted together in concern. “You’re sweatin’ bullets.”
Just what a girl wants to hear. “Oh yeah! I just…” It’s okay, Allegra, you can be a little honest. I sighed, wiping the “sweat bullets” off my forehead. “I honestly haven’t been back here since high school, and it’s freaking me out!”
He reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing it. “I’m sorry,” he said simply. “Honestly, you’re still a mystery to me, Ally, and I’m really excited to get to know you better this weekend.”
Oh, be careful what you wish for, Colton.
I forced my smile to be normal. “These are my stomping grounds, so between the fans and paparazzi, you might not have the time,” I joked, using sarcasm to hide my anxiety.
“Right,” he went along with my joke. “That’s true. I’ll have to set an appointment to take you on a date.”
“You wannatake me on a date?” I said, my heart fluttering.
“Well, I don’t think the horse ride with the kids that almost ended in an E.R. trip is as romantic as I’d like to be with you, Ally.”
I felt heat rush to my cheeks. “Sowhat did you have in mind?” Iprobed,simply happy the subject was off my childhood.
He pretended to think hard. “Well, these are your stomping grounds, Miss Ford.”
“Dependswhat you’re in the mood for,” I shrugged.“There’s a ton to do here, with incredible food everywhere, of course. We’re in Texas. There are some clubs, lots of outdoor things to do, um, what else….” I trailed off.
Colton pulled the truck into aBuc-ee’sgas station, even though we were nowhere near empty. “Hang on, I asked you out, I shouldn’t make you decide.” He grabbed his phone off the dashboard. “Give me a second, and I’ll make a plan!”
Ding
Allegra, I just got your email about not needing a plane out of Oklahoma. Call me.
Crap. “Um, I’m just gonnamake a work callrealquick if that’s alright,” I said, popping the truck door open.
Colton barely glanced up. “Oh yeah! Go ahead! I’ll have our date planned by the time you get back.”
I climbed out of the truck, my legs feeling like jello. I stretched. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been in a car that long. I didn’t know how the Nash family did it all the time.
