Page 37 of From Rivals to I Do

“Meet me at Moonshine and Music downtown when you get out,” Eli says. “I’ll shoot a text with the address your way.”

“Alright, well, I’ll get out, get dressed, and meet you there,” I say as I realize Doreen and Nala are standing at the end of the hallway, gawking at me with big ol’ grins on their faces. Little eavesdroppers! “I hate to cut this short, but I’ve got to get back to work.”

“Alright,” Eli says. “Well, I’ll see you soon!”

“See you soon,” I repeat back, and when I hang up, I can’t help but twirl in the hall.

“Ooh, she’s got it bad,” Doreen teases.

“For sure she does,” Nala says with a chuckle as I look over at them and smile.

“Stop it you two,” I say with a giggle as I head back into the ward and quickly finish up my food. But I know they’re right. Eli is wonderful and I’m falling hard and fast. . . it’s as scary as it is invigorating.

There’s one thing I can say for sure though. Even though I’m excited and terrified all at once, it really is an amazing feeling. I feel alive for the first time in a long time, and I can’t wait to see where it all ends up.

Chapter ten

Chapter Ten

I don’t think I’ve ever gotten ready as quickly in my life as I have on this FaceTime call with Sparrow, frantically trying to figure out an outfit to wear to go line dancing. Eventually, between the two of us, we settle on one of my more western-looking outfits, complete with a signature fringe.

It wasn’t perfect, but at least it’s something I could actually dance in—which most of my pin-up dresses made impossible. I even completed the look by digging out my matching white cowboy hat and boots. I had to give those oldies—but goodies—a little TLC, wiping the dust off curved edges and pointed toes, but they looked great atop my blown-out curls and long legs.

Even though my outfit has me feeling somewhat confident, I admittedly feel a little out of place as I walk into Moonshine and Music. As my eyes glance around the bar, looking for Eli, they stop short as I become mesmerized by a huge group of people line dancing together in tandem.

They’re so synchronized, in fact, you could have almost mistaken them for parts of a well-oiled machine. The last time I’d gone line dancing, it had been with Joseph, and there is something about that fact that adds to the anxious feeling growing in my chest.

I should go, I think to myself. However, as I heave a sigh and try to figure out how I’m going to explain to Eli why I’m canceling, I feel a tap on my shoulder.

“Well, hey good lookin’,” a voice calls out from behind me, and I spin around to come face-to-face with Eli. As soon as I see him, my worries start to melt away, too stunned to have any thoughts in my brain other than ones about him.

Eli’s dressed to the nines, wearing a fancy cowboy hat paired with a tight-fitting, black button-up shirt embroidered in blue at the top. It makes his beautiful tan skin glow and the color of his eyes pop. Those jeans of his, also snug, are accentuated by a huge belt buckle—a longhorn steer head engraved into the steel, and the rim lined with turquoise.

“You’re looking mighty fine yourself,” I reply, and he beams at me big and bright, his teeth white and gleaming. “Hope you weren’t waiting on me long.”

“Actually, I was worried I was late,” I fib, his voice slowly smoothing out all the apprehensions I came in with.

“Nope, right on time,” Eli insists as he gently places his hand gently on my back. “Let’s find a seat.”“Shouldn’t we alert the bar or a hostess?” I ask.“Nah, their waiters and waitresses are top-notch,” Eli replies. “They'll notice us.”

I try my best to hide that I’m blushing as his hand glides across the back of my shoulders, a touch that truly sweeps me off my feet as he leads me to a cushioned wooden booth. Just like Eli said, a waitress comes to us with menus in no time.

It was typical Texan bar fodder—chicken wings, Frito pie, steak, ribs, and stuff like that—all of it sounded delicious. I settle on some steak, even though I wanted the chicken wings, afraid I’d look like a barbarian eating them in front of Eli.

The food is amazing regardless, and so is the company. I could listen to Eli talk about literally anything for hours, his deep, rich voice one of the most calming and gorgeous sounds I’ve ever heard.

“So, would you like to dance?” Eli asks as he finishes his food, and immediately, my heart starts to race.

“Oh, um, I'm not sure if that’s a good idea,” I say.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know how much I remember about line dancing, to be honest,” I reply.

“That’s just silly,” Eli replies. “Line dancing is about having fun. Come on, I can teach you what you don’t know.”

I sit for a second and think about it, the memories of Joseph and I dancing with one another seeping into my mind. No, I think to myself. I'm not going to let him continue to ruin things for me. This is my time. My life. And it’s too short to worry about what happened before or even about looking silly.

I want to have fun.

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