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She raises an eyebrow. “Well?”

I shouldn’t enjoy this as much as I do. But I do. “Aurora.”

She groans and swats at the bar. “No.”

“What?”

“That sounds like a Disney princess.”

“Exactly.”

“Try again,” she says, shuddering.

“You’re not a cowgirl. You an L.A. girl,” I tease.

She smirks and takes a sip of her drink.

I clear my throat and say, “Sunshine.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re terrible at this.”

I grin. “So are you.”

She points at herself. “Fine. I’ll pick my own.”

“Go ahead.”

She lifts her chin. “Jolene.”

I stare at her. Then start laughing. “Not a chance.”

“What?”

“Every cowboy in America is legally required to fall in love with a woman named Jolene. Also, an epic song of all time.”

The sound of her laughter fills the small bar. It’s beautiful, and so is she. And I love her laugh. “Well, you’d better not fall in love with me, Beau.”

Air rushes out of my chest. Too late.

And suddenly I realize something. For the first time in months, maybe even years, I’m having fun.

We can be Jolene and Beau. Two strangers just having fun together at a bar with no expectations or hard questions.

And for the first time all evening, I find myself hoping the night doesn’t end.

3

jenna

To the Greatest Night of our Lives

Beau glances my way with his gorgeous hazel eyes. “What’s your favorite thing to do in Vegas?”

“I’ve actually never really done anything in Vegas,” I say, finishing my whiskey. The words slip out before I can stop them. And it’s true. Sadly, and embarrassingly, when you’re a workaholic, you don’t make time for fun.

“What do you mean?” he hedges.

“I mean...” I gesture vaguely toward the flashing lights beyond the casino. “I’ve never been out on the strip. I usually just pass through. Do what I need to do, then head home.”