Thirty minutes later, Amy steps away. “Okay, now you can look.”

I stand in front of the mirror. My strawberry-blonde hair is sleek and smooth, framing my face and hanging to my mid-back. My green eyes practically look like they’re glowing from all the dark eyeshadow and eyeliner that surrounds them, and my face has angles and definition now that she’s contoured every possible inch of my face she could.

“Well, what do you think?”

I don’t look anything like myself. “I’m not sure,” I answer, turning my head to the left and then the right to see every angle. “I mean, it looks good. It just doesn’t look like me, you know?”

She places her hands on my shoulders and peeks around my head to look at me through the mirror. “That’s kind of the point. You look hot!” She leans back and smacks me on the ass, to which I jump and swat her away.

“Now, let’s get into the dress.”

“I can do it by myself, thank you very much,” I chastise as I cross the hallway into my room.

I pull off my sweats and slip on the dress. I slide on a pair of sky-high heels and look myself over in the mirror. The black lace hugs every curve of my body, making my breasts and hips appear more defined. The neckline is low, and the hem of the dress stops mid-thigh—showing off plenty of leg and cleavage.

I step out of my room and walk down the hallway to find Amy standing in the living room, waiting for me the way an anxious mother waits for her daughter on prom night.

“Oh my God, Ves!” she gushes as she rushes up and walks circles around me. “You look so beautiful! If this dress doesn’t get you laid, I don’t know what will.” Her eyes are wide with excitement and her lips are turned up into a tight smile.

“There will be no getting laid tonight,” I tell her with a stern look on my face.

She rolls her blue eyes and her shoulders fall with disappointment. “Oh, come on! Live a little.”

I walk past her, stuffing my keys and phone into my purse. “I still have to work with this guy for nearly a year! No way am I going to go and make that awkward by sleeping with him. We’re friends, that’s it.”

“Fine. You’re such a stick in the mud.” She grabs her things. “Call me when you get back and let me know all the gritty details, so I can pass them onto your mom.” She laughs as she opens the front door and walks out, carrying out all the stuff she carried in.

My phone chimes and I pull it from my purse.

Tyler: It just occurred to me that I have no idea where you live.

I laugh and type out my address before sending the message.

I quickly pour Ace his dinner, and as soon as fatty hears the rattle of the food, he comes running. I squat down and pet his head, letting my hand run down his back and over his tail. “You’re lucky, Ace. I wish I could just sit around eating all day long.” He doesn’t look away from his dish. “And napping,” I add on. “We can’t forget napping.”

I stand and refill his water dish, then grab my purse off the counter and look myself over in the mirror that’s hanging on the far wall of the kitchen. It doesn’t even feel like I’m looking at myself. I’m used to jeans and t-shirts, minimal makeup, and messy buns. Not sleek hair, layers upon layers of makeup, and a stuffy dress with painful heels. All I can do is thank my lucky stars that I’m not a girlie-girl.

My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. I take a deep breath and step toward it, telling myself that everything will be alright.

“Hey,” I say as I open the door to find Tyler on the other side, looking mouthwatering good, I might add. His dirty-blonde hair is styled nicely instead of being covered by an old, beat-up cowboy hat, and the sleeves of his button-up, black shirt are rolled up to his elbows, showing his strong, tan forearms. It’s tucked in at the waist of his dark-wash Wranglers, and his big, silver belt buckle is front and center. Cowboy through and through.

“You look… beautiful,” he breathes out as he leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek.

My face instantly flushes. “Thank you. Are those for me?” I point at the bouquet of wild flowers in his hand.

“Oh, yes!” he says like he had forgotten he’s holding them.

A giggle escapes my lips as I reach out and take the flowers. “I’ll just put these in some water and I’ll be ready to go. Would you like to step inside for a minute?” I leave the door open as I turn around, walking across the kitchen floor to take a vase from the cabinet.

He steps into the small room and looks around. “You have a cat?”

I place the flowers in the vase and begin filling it with water. “Yeah. His name is Ace. I’ve had him since I was a kid. He’s almost fifteen-years-old.”

“I’m allergic to cats,” he states flatly, stepping as far away as he can.

My eyes grow wide. “Oh, no. Let’s get out of here then.” I urge him toward the door before the sneezing fit can ensue.

I lock the door behind me and follow him out to the parking lot where he stops at a brand-new Chevy truck. He hits the unlock button and opens the passenger side door for me.

“Thank you,” I say, taking my seat.

As he walks around the vehicle, I stare at the dark sky and brightly lit stars. It’s a warm night, but there is a slight wind blowing, creating the perfect spring night. He gets behind the wheel and starts the truck. “I figured we could have some dinner at the steak house here in town, and then maybe have a few drinks?”

I nod. “That sounds good to me. I haven’t been out in forever, so basically anything sounds good to me.” I laugh.

He looks at me from the corner of his dark eyes. “Really? You?”

“Why is that so hard to believe?”

“It’s just that you’re beautiful. I find it hard to believe that some guy hasn’t scooped you up yet,” he admits, keeping his eyes on the road.

Another laugh escapes my lips. “No, I’m not looking for a relationship right now.”

“What do you do then?” he asks, glancing at me for only a moment. “Other than work,” he adds on.

“Well, every Saturday I volunteer at the local animal shelter. I do check-ups for the animals. Help with bathing them, walking them, whatever they need really.” I think about how I spend the rest of my time. “I usually spend Sundays with my family or help my dad at the shop. Through the week… I work.” I shrug. “I’m usually too tired after work to do anything other than eat and veg out in front of the tv.”

He pulls up to the restaurant and shuts off the truck. “Ready?”

I nod. “Let’s do it.”

After we’re seated, there is an awkward silence as we both try to think of something to say.

“Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself, Tyler.”

He smiles wide and lifts his water glass to his lips, taking a sip. “What do you want to know?”

“I already told you what I do. How do you spend your time?” I push a section of my smooth hair behind my ear and lean in.

“Well,” he places his hands on the table, folding them together as he thinks over my question. “I work the ranch for Liam O’Connor. That keeps my hands pretty full. He’s almost never there.”

“Why isn’t he? What does he do?”

“He’s the CEO of O’Conner Oil Company. He inherited the ranch from his grandpa on his mom’s side and got the company after his dad passed away last year. I guess it keeps him pretty busy because he’s basically non-existent around these parts.”

“You must feel pretty passionately about animals to put so much of your time into someone else’s ranch.”

He nods. “I do. I love my job. I hope to own my own ranch someday.” His dark eyes meet mine. “What are you passionate about?”

I don’t even have to think about it. “My animal hospital. I just opened a few months back, but I hope to, one day, bring in more employees, maybe expand across the state. But for now, I’m just trying to keep the lights on and animals coming through the door. It’s just me and my friend, Amy. She’s a lifesaver. She’s my assistant, but she handles the phones and appointments.”

“It sounds like you’re going to stay pretty busy in the future.”

“Hopefully,” I agree. “Which is why I’m not looking to start a relationship right now. New relationships need time to grow. Whoever I end up with, I want to give them my time, and I just don’t have any to give right now.”

He nods. “I completely understand, Ves. If you’re not looking for a relationship, I won’t ask for one.” He offers a kind smile that makes his dark eyes burn. “What do you say we enjoy our dinner, then us friends can go grab a few drinks, maybe dance a little?”

I feel my smile widen. “I’d like that.”