It’s been a tremendous couple of months. I signed Sam and Susan to a generous contract with ADRENALIN and even inked a few more. I should be ecstatic, but there’s something missing, maybe exactly what Sam and I were talking about.

I was surprised and maybe a little vindicated when Wesley told me the Mountain Spirit Resort had called back. Apparently, they want me to come back out to rehash possible options.

I sort of feel like this is my chance to right some wrongs. Wes hasn’t said anything, but I know that my nearly three-month-long funk before getting the sale with Sam was tough on the company. We can’t keep depending on an online presence. There are too many rip-off companies flooding the online marketplaces that result in blowback on us all.

So yeah, I’m feeling the pressure still. Not only was my funk hurting the company, but I’m supposed to be the sales leader, the guy who goes out and shows the rest of the team how to get shit done.

Having the chance to come back to Great Falls and sort of close that circle and nail the contract that really set me off on my short-term downward spiral is awesome.

Admittedly, while some of my delight is professional, there’s also a part of this that is personal, hoping that I might be able to track Rose down while in town again. I’m sure someone can help me out. I mean, a town this size can’t have too many women looking like her running around.

In the months since I saw her, no one has called out to me like she did. I’m not bitter, but I’m sure that at least some of my funk was that I’ve been unable to focus on doing my damn job because I’ve been thinking of her. I know when I wished on that star, deep down, I was wishing for someone like her, just that magic of instant fireworks but sustainable like Sam and Susan have.

I’m probably just seeing what I want to see, but it feels like it may have worked. The next morning was the start of a hot streak that’s led me back here for a shot at redemption. I’m ecstatic to be driving into town again, feeling like this is gonna be the move that really changes everything for me.

I haven’t heard from her, and for all I know, tracking her down might make me seem like the biggest loser ever, but I’m adventurous enough to give it a try. After all, the worst thing that could happen is that I get laughed at a little in a town that I may never visit again.

From my last trip to town, I remember a diner that seemed to be a local landmark. I find a parking spot along Main Street and begin to make my way toward the diner, hopeful someone there can help me find Rose.

It seems like fate is on my side when I’m not even halfway to the diner. I see a familiar figure and hair that I’ve dreamed about for the past five months in front of me. She’s not wearing a sexy clingy dress this time, just some denim with a cozy sweater, but I know her as soon as I see her. “Rose!”

She keeps walking, and I call out again, a bit louder this time. She stops, turning, and time seems to slow down as her eyes, those same gorgeous baby blue that I remember, meet mine. Her eyes widen slightly and lock onto mine, a shock like lightning jolting down my spine and making me grin like a damn fool. I guess playing it suave was over in about half a second flat. Fuck it, I have to tell her how these past five months have been for me.

She finishes turning around, and something for the first time catches my eyes. Her belly is decidedly fuller than the last time I saw her, her sweater not hiding her growing form at all.

I feel like someone’s just punched me right in the stomach. I half stumble to a stop a few steps away, the smile sort of locked on my face but wavering, my brain spinning. Was I an idiot these past few months? Did I just attach all of my loneliness and dissatisfaction with my life onto her without knowing what the fuck is really going on?

“Uh . . . hi, Nic,” Rose says, obviously as shocked as I am.

Smoothing out my face, I tilt my head. “I thought that was you. I was hoping to see you.”

I can see the surprise on her face, but it quickly turns to puzzlement. “You were hoping to see me? What brings you back to Great Falls?”

I nod, feeling a dark spot of sadness at my core at her question. I think I was more dedicated to the idea that she’d be somehow waiting for me to return than I realized. Fuck, my being here is probably just going to complicate things for her. It kills me that I can’t tell her that she’s been on my mind since I left here, but I really hope she’s happy with the obviously big changes in her life in the last few months.

“Well,” I say, forcing a smile on my face and half pointing up the mountain toward the resort. “The resort wanted me to come back, sort of talk some things over more. I was feeling hungry, so I remembered the diner, but then I saw you. So . . . uh, how’re you doing?”

There’s a spark of irritation in her eyes that I don’t understand, and she pulls her sweater closed, wrapping her arms across her body to keep it that way. “So you’re back in town for work and thought ‘Hey, I know a booty call in that town. Guess I’ll track her down for another round.’ Is that what you’re telling me?”

I’m taken aback by her unexpected anger and struggle to regain my balance. “Huh?” I stammer, still unsure what the hell’s going on. “No, not at all. I just—”

She interrupts me. “Look, Nic . . .Nicolas.” I instantly cringe inwardly, hating her saying my full name, like there’s more distance than just time between us. Rose notices but continues. “We had fun, obviously. But when I reached out to you and left a message three months ago and didn’t hear anything back, I got your response loud and clear. I get it. It’s fine. I’m a big girl and I think we both were surprised at that night. Or at least I was. But I can’t do this. I have other responsibilities now, and you don’t have to worry about that. I’m fine.”

She starts walking away, the dismal bleakness of utter rejection settling over me like a shroud. I see her shoulders lift as she takes a big breath and exhales.

What the fuck was that? That’s definitely not how I expected things to go down. I get that it’s been months, but that stings. I should’ve fucking called, but shit, we didn’t exchange numbers. How was I supposed to call her? And what’s this about reaching out three months ago? That would’ve been about the time I was in Oregon with Sam, and when I came back, things were crazy around the office.

Still, I mean, I guess I deserve it. She did tell me she ran a boutique, and there can’t be too many of those in this town. But I’ve just been so busy and time flies. It didn’t seem like calling her after she snuck out that morning was the right thing to do. I thought that’s what she wanted, but judging by her reaction, maybe I was wrong? Especially after she said she left a message.

I burst into action, chasing after her down the sidewalk, but I lose her somehow in a meandering group of tourists. By the time I get myself untangled from a man totally overdressed and wearing a University of Miami ball cap, I don’t see her at all.

I look up and down the street, wondering where she went because I need to talk to her, straighten this out somehow. I can’t go on and never see her again on that note. The least I can do is apologize and wish her well, even if I hate the thought of some other lucky fucker being the one who snagged her.

He’d better treat her right, that’s all I can say. Not knowing where she is but knowing where she will be, I walk back up the street the direction Rose was coming from. It takes me about two minutes to see it, the sign hitting me between the eyes as I make the connection again. Quickly, I cross the parking lot to the Mountain Rose and step inside.

A younger woman with brown curls cascading down her back and a bright smile cheerily greets me. “Hello. Welcome to the Mountain Rose. Can I help you find something today?”

“Yes, I’ve been in town before and met the owner. Will she be in today?”

The girl nods, eager to please. “Absolutely. Rose just stepped out for a moment to get our lunch.”

I nod, directing my gaze to a rack of clothes, although I don’t think I’ll find anything for me here. Other than a few items in the corner that are more . . . effeminate men’s fashion than my style, everything here is obviously meant for women. “Great, I think I’ll just browse a bit till she gets back. Thanks so much.”

The girl hangs nearby, giving me a curious look as I flip through a few hangers. “So, how do you know Rose? I just met her a few weeks ago. Today’s my first day, actually.”

I grin, realizing that’s why she’s so enthusiastic to be of service. Newbies . . . and probably looking to make a good impression. “Just old friends. We met a few months ago and I’m in town for work, so I thought I’d look her up.”

“A few months?” the girl remarks. “That’s not exactly ‘old friends’, now is it?”

She laughs at her own joke and I smile. “Well, it’s not exactly like we went to kindergarten together, but you know how it is. What’s your name? I’m Nic.”

The quickly introduced Devon and I make some small talk about the town, just buying time. The store’s quiet, not much of a lunch rush for places like this, and about twenty minutes later, the boutique door opens. Rose walks in, almost pushed by the light wind that’s kicked up to make her hair blow back like gossamer strands of gold around her face, her arms laden with two bags of what smell like the diner’s famous, or infamous, depending on whom you ask, gut bomb cheeseburgers.

Her smile is bright and her voice is light as she moves toward the desk and calls out, “Lunch is here, Devon. If you don’t mind, can I eat first? Gotta feed this hungry monster and then you can take your lunch.”

Devon grins as she finishes, pointing toward me. “Sure, you’ve got a visitor anyway.”

“Huh?” Rose asks, turning. She sees me and I watch as she ignites, angry all over. “What are you doing here? Get out.”

Devon flinches, worried that she fucked up on her first day at work. “Oh, no, I’m so sorry, Rose. He said he was an old friend.”

Rose’s flashing eyes don’t leave mine, but she answers Devon, giving her a little wave of assurance. “It’s fine, Devon. You couldn’t have known.”

“Rose, I just want to talk,” I say placatingly, softly. I don’t want to beg, but right now, I’m just being moved by the same feeling I felt five months ago. I have to know what’s going on. “Can we sit down while you eat lunch? Or I can come back tonight when you close, if that’s better?”

Rose firmly shakes her head while out of the corner of my eye, I see Devon grab her bag and disappear to the back, probably wishing she were anywhere else right about now. “No, I don’t want to talk. Just go. I’m fine.”

Being a salesman, my bullshit detector is sharper than most people’s, and while Rose is putting up a decent front, my alarm bells are ringing loud and proud. “You’re obviously not fine. You’re mad at me and I don’t know why. What’s gotten you so upset?”

Something flashes across her face—hurt, maybe, or regret—and she sighs, shaking her head as she admits defeat. “I can’t do this. Not now and not here.”

“Where?” I ask, stepping closer.

“I don’t—” Rose says, freezing when I reach out and take her hand gently. Another tingle jumps between our fingers, and I feel like something inside me moves. To hell with the meeting at the resort. This woman’s my future.

She glances at Devon, who’s about half a step from the back room door, and steps back, breaking our contact almost reluctantly. “Fine, come at six tonight and we can talk, but not now.”

I see the stubbornness on her face, and even though I want to hash this all out right here and now, I sense that will be counter-productive, so I give in. For now. But this deal’s far from done. “Thank you. I’ll be here at six.”

I turn to walk out, but I can’t resist and turn back at the door to look at her. Her cheeks are flushed and her chest lifts with every breath, reminding me of . . . before. “Rose, I missed you.”

Before she can reply with more than her eyes, I walk out into the chilly air, knowing I’ve got to get up to the Mountain Spirit Resort anyway. Hopefully, she’s ready to talk tonight.