Page 66 of The Story We Wrote

“Fuck it, I’m taking one too,” Mac said and handed out the shots. I took mine and held it in the air, everyone else following. He counted down and we all tipped it back, the warm liquor sliding down my throat. Shaking my head, I slammed the glass down.

Boone and I left Penny at the bar again, not getting another drink. Instead, we went to the floor and Boone danced with me for the second time tonight. He held my hands in his and moved us around with such grace to one of my favorite songs, “Play Something Country” by Brooks and Dunn. I couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on my face as we moved in sync, taking over the dance floor. He spun me and dipped, running his tongue from the base of my throat up to my chin in a slow, teasing motion.

“Boone!” I yelled, laughing out loud. He smiled and brought me back up.

“You look so good, I had to see how you tasted.”

By the time we were done, I was sweating and three songs had passed. Boone’s hair was matted under his hat and I could feel my face burning up. I left my hair down though, fanning myself with my hands.

“I need a drink. You stay here, I’ll grab you another beer,” I insisted as I pointed my finger at him and backed away.

When I got to the bar, I found my spot next to Penny again. Just like I predicted, she hadn’t moved all night, soaking up any time Mac had when he wasn’t serving someone. The stool to her right was empty, and I needed to sit. I plopped down and let out an exhale. I haven’t danced like that in, well, ever.

“You two are adorable!” Penny said, laying her head on my shoulder.

“I’m really happy,” I confessed, smiling like a dork. This was the best I’d felt about myself and my life in a really long time, probably since I started managing The Coffee Cup.

Boone made me feel like a new person, a person I really liked to be. With each moment we spent together, I knew I was falling in love with him. He consumed my thoughts, living in my mind all day and night when we weren’t together. I craved his voice and his touch. I wanted to sit and listen about his day, tell him all about mine. He was becoming myperson, which used to scare me, but now it felt right.

As Mac approached, he asked, “What can I get the two love birds?”

“I’ll take another sunrise and Boone will have Jack and Coke.” I decided to change it up, gotta keep him on his toes.

Grabbing both of the drinks from Mac, I returned to the dance floor. My legs stopped short as my mind processed what I saw before me.

Boone was standing on the checkered space we called a dance floor, with a woman in front of him. My blood boiled, and my cheeks grew hot as I laid eyes on Miranda Yert. I couldn’tfucking believe that she had the balls to even walk up to Boone. She stood in her short flowy white dress and cowgirl boots, the fabric barely covering her ass. Her crusty bleach-blonde hair was straight down her back. If I squeezed the plastic cups in my hands any harder, they would burst and liquor would end up on the floor.

Miranda laughed obnoxiously, like whatever Boone said was the funniest thing in the world. It wasn’t because the man wasn’tthatfunny. She did the same flirty thing Penny did, twirling her hair around her pointer finger, but she looked desperate doing it.

My feet finally moved, one in front of the other as I stomped my way to Boone. I felt the opposite from when I saw her at the Rodeo. Tonight, I wasn’t shy or scared, I was pissed.

He saw me as I got closer, and when I was close enough, he reached out and tucked me underneath his arm.

“There she is,” he said, placing a kiss on the top of my head. Miranda’s face fell flat like she wasn’t expecting me to interrupt.

“Here you go, Cowboy,” I replied, trying to sound flirty. I handed Boone his drink and refused to look away from Miranda. She had a snarl on her face.

Boone sipped his drink. “Oh, how rude of me, Miranda. This is mygirlfriend, Aspen.” I couldn’t help the smirk that took over; I was seconds away from letting laughter spill out. Boone knew damn well she and I had history, which meant she clearly knew my name. My rage quit and joy took over after hearing him call me his girlfriend. The jealousy that lived inside me dissipated as I waved at her, flashing a sweet smile.

“It’s nice to see you again, Miranda,” I cooed.

She was livid, her finger no longer intertwined in her hair. “You too, Aspen. I have to say, I’m shocked to see Boone here with a girl like you”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, unable to come up with a quick retort.

“Well, so basic and boring. You need some excitement, don’t you Boone? Not someone who cares more about men in books than real life.” Miranda smiled, running her tongue along her canine. She was trying to strike a nerve in me, trying to push me to back down like I’ve done so often in the past. Instead of letting her win, I snuggled up closer to Boone to show off my position versus hers.

Boone must’ve picked up on it and took matters into his own hands. “I think it’s time to grow up. I don’t think jealousy is a good look on you, Miranda. But on her?” Miranda’s eyes opened wide like Boone had physically slapped her. “It’s fucking hot.”

Boone tilted his head down, removed his hat from his head, and did the last thing I thought he would. He placed that khaki cowboy hat on top ofmyhead with a long kiss against my lips. He let his tongue slip in, making a show as he pulled me closer by the small of my back. I fed in, letting Miranda see just howboringI was. When we came up for air, she was gone. It was clear she left in a huff and hurry because her bleached hair was nowhere in sight.

“Suck it, Miranda,” Boone whispered against my lips before coming in for another peck.

“Girlfriend, huh?” I asked, still staring into his eyes after the kiss. The mustache twitched as he smiled.

“You like the sound of that, Darling?” he quipped back. I reached up, running my fingers against the fabric of Boone’s hat. Placing it on my head was a symbol that tonight, I’d be riding him. Instead of answering his question with words, I went on my tip toes and kissed his cheek. Boone’s hair was a mess, slicked with sweat; somehow, he made it hot.

The night continued smoothly. Miranda didn’t show her face again. Embarrassment finally set in for her when she was humbled by Boone.

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