I sat at the bar patiently waiting for Grace and her betrayer boyfriend Hunter to join me. Honestly, Hunter was the last person I wanted to see. Part of me wanted to kill him for going behind my back, and another part wanted to hug him and kiss him for helping fate unite me with Eric – at least for the little time I got to spend with him. Except it wasn’t fate. It was Hunter, conspiring with my brothers, whom I’d refused to speak to for the past week. I shouldn’t have let my guard down so quickly, either. I should have made the connection that Reeve was not a first name, but last. I swear the way Eric swept me off my feet in Ogden, my brain lost half its functioning ability. At home I’d thrown myself back into work, trying to forget about Eric (which of course was impossible), skimming over his case for hours a day to see whether I’d missed anything. The trail on John Huntz had gone cold, and waiting for the next ping was like waiting for a Christmas that only came every ten years.

My last night with Eric seemed so long ago. It was fading too quickly and beginning to seem like a dream. I shook off my memory. I couldn’t do this now. I didn’t want to remember what I’d had and lost – not in public.

The crowd was already lining up in front of Kissed, Kendra’s nightclub. My brother’s wife had run this successful venue for the past ten years. Feeling all sorry for myself, I sat here on my own, listening to Matt doing last sound checks and watching Sandra stack the bottles of liquor on the shelves. I downed my third shot of tequila to drown my sorrows. There was no other way out of my misery. I couldn’t go back to Ogden. Eric had lied to me. He’d only walked into my office because my brothers had hired him to do so. Had he lied about other things as well? How was I supposed to trust him now? And Hunter of all people, my best friend’s boyfriend whom I introduced to ‘the love of his life,’ as he stated, had orchestrated the entire operation.

“Need someone to talk to?” Kendra’s voice came from the side.

Slouched, I swiveled on the stool toward her. “Yes and no. You know, this should not be allowed in a club.” I pointed to Kendra’s growing belly.

“Why?”

“It ruins the vibe for those who come to get lucky.” Seeing my sister-in-law wobbling around had to be the best contraceptive ever. I took another shot between my fingers and threw my head back.

She laughed. “I’m only here for a few minutes. Besides, I really hope no one here is having sex in public. Wanna chat? Julian’s worried about you.”

“I don’t really care what Julian feels.”

“He loves you, Emma. We all do. At least tell me what your brothers have done this time. I promise to be impartial.”

“Oh, K.” I lowered my head onto the bar. “I’m so confused.”

“I haven’t seen you show so much emotion since David passed.”

“That’s because I haven’t met anyone worthy of it, until Eric.”

“Your case?”

“Yes. Everything is such a mess, K. They fucking meddled in my business again. They set everything up. Me meeting Eric, him taking me away to his ranch. It was their idea. They asked Hunter if he knew anyone out of town, and of course he pointed them toward Eric. But I think my brothers didn’t plan on us having such a connection.”

She laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“I bet Julian and Tristan are both slapping themselves silly.”

“Why?”

“Because they didn’t realize they’d hired a man you’d fall in love with. I heard them talk about cowboys being not your type and all, so I’m sure they didn’t expect to be the cupids they ended up being.”

“It serves them right. I should tell them that cowboys who ride horses develop a stamina and a rhythm I’d never seen before.”

“Yes, that should really force them to ease up. Em, you gotta talk to them. Tell them how you feel. Make your own decisions not because of what you think they’ll say or do, but because what you feel is right for you.”

“But it’s all over now. There’s no way this can work. How can I trust him again?”

“Well, let me give you one piece of advice I hope you’ll take. People make mistakes, Emma. Every single person, including me and you. I once believed I attracted trouble like a bleeding seal in the harbor of Cape Town. Don’t let a good thing pass you by when you’re lucky enough to have it in your life. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are or if you met under a pretense you didn’t expect. Grasp it and hold onto it. And give your brothers a break. They’ve been worried sick about you since the accident. I think they’re worried now too.”

“I just want to die.”

She passed me another shot. “I’ll make sure you get home safely. Think about what I said, Emma. Not all is lost. Eric’s still on this Earth. What would you do if you found out something had happened to him?”

“I don’t even want to think about it.”

“Can you really go on not seeing him again?”

“I don’t think so. No, I know I can’t. But what do I say?”

“Think it through. Forgiveness is a powerful attribute. Believe me, I know, because I’ve been on its receiving end for years. It can make everything right again. It can heal that broken heart of yours.”

“Thank you, K.” I threw back the tequila. It didn’t even sting anymore. In fact, it was almost like water. “But right now I just need to clear my mind.”

“I gotta go. This one’s not letting me sleep through the night.” she rubbed her belly. “Plus, Grace is here.”

I turned around and rolled my eyes at the man beside Grace. Hunter was walking close to her side, obviously aware at the damage he’d done. I hoped Grace had the wits to put him in his place. Although that might have only led to a long night of sex. Nope, I didn’t want him to get any pleasure out of my misery. Whatever punishment Grace had for her boyfriend, it better have been one that included him hanging by his balls.

“He’s the one who came up with the brilliant idea,” I said to Kendra.

“Then you should thank him for introducing you to the man I think you love.”

I gasped. Kendra kissed me on my cheek, saying, “I’ll have Matt call you a cab when you’re ready to go home.” And she left.

Did I love Eric? Was that the feeling I’d had with me the entire time? I should have gotten over the lie a long time ago. The agony of being so far away from him was tearing me apart. It was worse knowing he was so far away than it was being angry with him for lying to me. It wasn’t the same as when I was with David. We were younger and more prone to stupidity, living without a care in the world, taking it one day at a time while making plans for our entire lives. We lived on pure adrenaline, and the idea of being each other’s sweethearts kept us going. We grew up at the same time, and I’d never known what true love should be like and assumed it was what I’d had with David. Part of me felt like what I’d experienced with David was just the tip of the iceberg. What I felt for Eric seemed so much stronger and fiercer. What we had was like that root underneath the ocean, holding the iceberg steady, the mass of its foundation much stronger than the white tip bobbing on the surface. It didn’t matter to Eric that I wasn’t a girl from his town, or that I couldn’t square dance for the life of me, because no matter how silly I acted, he still wanted me. Me over Claire, me for who I was, accepting my job, knowing the dangers I could be in and not being threatened by it. I could count the ways when men I’d gone out with were afraid the moment I’d mentioned my last name.

I wanted Eric so badly, yet I hated him for betraying me.

“Hey, you. Still mad?” Hunter asked.

“Furious.” Maybe I could punch Hunter instead? Get my anger out on his wickedly sharp jaw line. Would Grace mind?

“Wow, there killer. Get that murderous look off your face. It doesn’t suit you.” Grace stood between me and Hunter.

“I better become scarce,” he said, kissing Grace on her cheek. I grabbed his arm when he stepped to the side. His gaze lowered and a hint of fear sparked in the corner of his eyes. Hunter was never afraid of anything – not anymore.

“Look, Hunter. I know you did it for my brothers.”

“You’re wrong, Em,” the tension in his shoulders eased. “I did it for you. I’ve known Eric for a long time, and when Julian and Tristan asked me to keep you occupied and out of trouble, I knew you two could be a good match. And getting away from the city and the fast life was exactly what you needed, wasn’t it? Didn’t I do the same thing for you that Grace has for the past year with the bets and dares and gambles – make you forget the past for a moment? There’s no time to stop in New York. How were you supposed to let David go if you kept yourself busy with work? How were you supposed to experience life again when the guys you picked to date were assholes and jerks not worthy of one of your minutes? You were the one who got me and Grace together. I just wanted to return the favor. That’s why I never told Julian or Tristan how perfect you two were for each other.”

Was it possible that Hunter had done for me what I’d done for him and Grace a year earlier? I had known him most of my life. I knew the moment he told me of the trouble my best friend was in that, Grace would be the perfect woman for him.

Hunter was right. I had lost myself in work and obnoxiously pointless dates I knew would never lead to anything serious. Eric was the first person I’d met who was able to hold my attention with one look. He was the one who healed my heart and helped me completely get over my loss.

“So you really never told my brothers about Eric and me, you know, maybe ending up together?”

“Are you kidding? Do you think they’d have given you the case if they’d known the truth? I told them what they needed to know, skipping the part about how women fell on their knees for him and how perfect he was for you. I wonder if they’re doing so again, now that he’s obviously back on the market.”

I knew what he was trying to do, and it was working. The idea of Claire – or anyone else – hanging on Eric’s arm was beginning to turn my stomach. Or maybe it was the tequila. And no, had they known, my brothers would never have given me the case. They’d think they were pimping me. Was that why they were so insecure at that first dinner with Eric? Because they’d realized we had the kind of connection they feared?

I breathed out, softening my eyes at Hunter.

Maybe I had been too harsh with him. “For what it’s worth, thank you. But I’m still mad.”

“You’re welcome. And I like you mad. It gives you an edge.” He winked, kissing Grace on her cheek before he went to chat with one of the barmen.

I tried to swivel back on the stool to get another shot I had lined up on the bar, and almost fell off my seat.

“Oh, honey. How many of those have you had?” Grace lowered her hand to mine.

“Not enough,” I said.

“Then I have a lot of catching up to do.” She took one of my shots and threw her head back, immediately sucking on a lemon.

“Shit, I haven’t had tequila in a while. Please tell me it gets better.” She took another one as if she wanted to wash the first one down.

I laughed. “It does. After a few, you stop feeling them.”

And like only a true friend would, Grace took a third one. She’d laugh with you, cry with you, and drown your sorrows when there was a need in a bottle of tequila without caring that she’d be hugging the porcelain king later in the night. Grace threw another shot that shook through her body like she was a wet dog drying off.

“Ok, fill me in on what happened, before these toxins take over my brain.”

I went through my story, giving her all the details, sparing her the dangerous part of John Huntz.

The club began filling up. The lights dimmed and music sounded. The strength of the bass vibrated through my body, and I wanted nothing more than to lose myself to the songs. From the corner of my eye I saw Hunter sitting at the bar, chatting with someone and scrolling through his phone. He’d been keeping his eye on us the entire time, which I guess was more for Grace’s benefit than mine. He’d always been very protective of my friend.

“I haven’t seen you this distraught in a long time, Em. In fact, you look like me when I’m upset at Hunter.”

“I don’t follow.”

She thought for a moment, swaying on her legs. “You know what?” she screamed over the music. “I don’t think I follow me either. But if I love Hunter when you get that look on your face, then you must love Eric because that’s the look I have.”

Grace was definitely drunk.

We both burst out laughing and each grabbed another waiting shot.

“We want to dance now!” I could barely hear my voice over the loud music.

“Then we dance!” She pulled on my arm and squeezed through the crowd toward the center of the overpopulated dance floor. The smell of booze and sweat no longer bothered me.

I moved to the rhythm of music, at least I thought I was doing so. Everyone around me appeared to be moving in slower motion. But maybe it was the alcohol – actually I was sure the tequila was the cause for my twirling world. But it felt so good not to think about anything, to get lost to the sound and the words of the song I couldn’t make sense of. Oh, God, I’d definitely be paying for drinking so much in the morning. I lifted my hands above my head, snapping my fingers to the beat, weaving my hips from side to side, absolutely hypnotized. My veins were warmed by the buzzing alcohol in my body as I grazed first against one guy, then another, and all the tension I’d felt earlier in the night disappeared. Soon, Hunter made his way over to us. He took Grace’s hips, grinding against her, kissing her neck, and nibbling on her ear. Looking at them I missed Eric too much, so I turned around and fell into the arms of a handsome man with dark auburn eyes. They shined almost like gold as lights flashed above us, and the more I looked, the more familiar they became.

He gently took my hand and spun me around, only to catch me against his hard chest when I lost my balance and giggled. Now that I had a closer look at him, I found him to be much more than handsome. He was gorgeous. Not my type, but definitely a ten on the Richter scale because I swear I thought the ground had just moved underneath us. He pulled his fingers through his long hair that curled just over the collar of his well-fitted t-shirt and gave me a sexy crooked smile that had the strength to burn my entire body. His eyes seeped lust, and I knew there was only one thing on this man’s mind – but for the life of me, it had slipped my mind what it was.

“Hello, Emma,” he said.

I searched my brain for the familiar voice.

“Cash? Cash Wagner?”

“Ah, you do remember,” He spun me around and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you here alone?”

How could I had forgotten one of Grace’s brothers.

“Nope. Grace and her boyfriend.” I pointed to the pair, but his gaze remained fixated on me.

“You look like you’re celebrating tonight.”

I wasn’t sure how my hips got into his hands or how my arms found themselves around his neck, but it felt good to be held. It felt amazing to let go of the stress and for once not think about anyone else around me. After all, that’s how others thought of me, right? I was a selfish brat, according to some people, so I might as well play the part and forget about the number of people I’d helped through failed marriages and relationships, the hours I’d put in at Cross Enterprises.

“I’m celebrating me.” I stepped up on my toes so that he could hear me without realizing that he’d already lowered his head to hear me. Our mouths were so close I could smell the sweet scent of rum on his breath, overpowering the tequila taste lingering in my mouth. My heart stilled.

“You’re a dangerous man, Cash Wagner.”

Cash lowered his body, pulling me closer. His fingers skimmed against my bare spine. The blouse I’d worn tonight draped down to my ass at the back.

“I thought you liked danger,” he replied. “But I’m not the man you knew a year ago, Emma.”

Wasn’t he? From what I remembered, all four of Grace’s brothers were pure scum, hiding behind their daddy’s name. My head hurt. I didn’t want to think about the Wagner family. I needed a break.

“Let me prove you wrong, Emma Cross. Let me celebrate you as well.”

“Then dance with me until the morning,” I breathed heavily into his ear, my hands holding onto his biceps, feeling those ripped muscles bunch underneath my palms. God were they ever hard!

“As you wish.” Cash dipped me back so low I thought my boobs were going to fall out of my bra. Thank goodness for fabric tape. When he brought me back up we were pressed against each other, swaying to the rhythm which I wasn’t even sure was slow. He held me in my spot with that hypnotizing dark gaze of his, and I felt a slight tug of guilt in my stomach. He must have sensed my discomfort because his grip eased and his genuine and utterly megawatt smile eased my concern. We were just two people having fun, right? And I needed some fun. I wasn’t stupid, though. I knew Cash was probably out tonight looking to score. My thought disappeared when he spun me around, holding me from behind, every inch of his fulfilling curve pressing deliciously against my back. The evening was about me – for once, all about me.

I let Cash lead me through the motions, yielding to his dips and succumbing to his turns. Cash had some smooth moves, always holding me close, never losing contact. We stopped by the bar a couple of times for a few more shots. Since I trusted that Kendra had Matt looking out for me, I knew that he’d drive me home when there was a need. Besides, Hunter would never let me leave with a total stranger, especially Cash Wagner. It surprised me he hadn’t ripped me out of Cash’s arms yet. I shook my head, letting the tequila wash away all those responsible thoughts that were flooding my mind. Tonight was all about fun.

After the last shot I was beginning to cross that border from a good buzz to completely wasted, and was running a chance of not remembering most of this night. As I moved past the crowd toward the center of the dance floor, pulling Cash behind me, I thought I saw Eric’s face flash between the dancers, but when I tried to find him again, I couldn’t. I shook off the paranoia that he’d somehow know what I was up to and kept swinging my hips to the rhythm, slightly grinding against Cash. He obviously liked it because he hadn’t left my side since I bumped into him. Yet the guilt tugging at my insides hadn’t left me for a moment. Deep down I knew that had Eric seen this, he wouldn’t have liked it; and then I felt bad for Cash who definitely had hope, but there was no way I’d leave the club with him. But I didn’t want to think about serious stuff at the moment. It was so rare for me to let go, and I wanted nothing more than to stay this way – oblivious to life and to the deep calling of my name far in the distance. The room spun like a Ferris wheel. The lights blended into one another, forming a prism of colors in the air. An aerial dancer flew right over my head making me laugh out loud.

“Maybe we should slow down, Emma?” Cash had a concerned look on his face. Why was he worried? I was fine, just fine.

“Maybe I should slow down so you can catch me.” And I felt my knees give out from underneath me as I fell back into a black hole behind me, before my world was swallowed by darkness.