Page 78 of Fix Me Up, Cowboy
Kate
I waitin the middle of Aubrey’s living room while she searches for a song on her iPhone. Her coffee table is now against the wall after we moved it there to give us more space.
I’m wearing the outfit I bought earlier, including my boots. Aubrey figured it would be easier to practice in them than in the dress I was wearing while shopping.
She turns on the music and stands next to me. A sexy male voice starts singing through the Bluetooth speakers.
“The best thing to do is follow what the people in front of you are doing,” she says. “Once you’ve danced to the song a few times, it becomes second nature.”
She demonstrates the moves for the first verse. Fortunately, I’m a quick learner—thanks to years of dance class. We go through the sequences a handful of times together. By the end of the song, I’ve mastered several basic steps.
“Not every song will involve a line dance. Usually you can tell which ones they are because everyone rushes to the dance floor whenever the song begins. There are other styles of dance too, depending on who you end up with. Some men are like talentless octopi. You want to avoid them. Don’t worry, I’ll warn you which ones they are if they come near us.
“You can’t go wrong with any of the Daniels brothers. Although talking from past experience, you’ll never get Jake and TJ away from Sophie’s and Violet’s sides. Austin and Ryan are also great dancers. So is Chase Scottsdale. But alas, he’s been so busy lately with a new start-up business, he’s rarely at Joe’s these days.
“That’s about it when it comes to the men in town who are both great dancers and decent guys. But based on what you’re wearing tonight, I’d be surprised if Noah lets anyone near you who doesn’t belong to our circle of friends.”
I groan. “As if my overly protective male relatives aren’t bad enough, now I have an overly protective male friend.” Whom I kiss. And have sex with.
Aubrey snorts a laugh. “I’ve known Noah my entire life. Yes, he’s protective of his friends and family and anyone he cares about, but it’s different with you.He’sdifferent with you.”
“It doesn’t matter. He and I both know that anything between us has an expiry date.”
Her mouth moves into a Cheshire-cat grin. “Ha! I knew it. So thereissomething going on between you two. And don’t even try to deny it. You’re fooling no one. The main thing is you both know it’s short term, so there won’t be any hurt feelings in the end.” She starts a new song.
After Aubrey teaches me some more dance steps, she restyles my hair into messy waves. My usual high-maintenance, Beverly-Hills appearance has gone into hiding. Now, I resemble a fun-loving sexy cowgirl.
She nods her approval.
Unable to resist, I get Aubrey to take my photo and I send it to Troy.Going line dancing tonight.
Then I add:I’m going to Joe’s with Noah and his friends if you want to join us.
Aubrey and I drive to Joe’s in my car. We park next to TJ’s truck and enter the bar.
The bar looks exactly like I imagined it would: Peanut shells underfoot. Dim lights. Loud country music. Several pool tables in one room—players hunched over them, sticks in hand.
The complete opposite of the nightclub scene back home.
Aubrey grabs hold of my wrist and practically drags me across the room. Several men check us out as we make our way to the table where our friends—minus Noah and Ryan—are waiting for us.
“Kate?” TJ asks as we approach, clearly unsure if it’s me—or someone who vaguely resembles the woman he has met.
I smile. “That’s right.”
“Wow. You look so different.”
Both Jake and Austin agree with him.
“I’m assuming that’s a good thing?” I say, thankful that no one back home can see me now.
What does it matter if they see you in an outfit that is as far from Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue as you can get?a voice in my head asks.When was the last time any of your friends asked you to go dancing with them?
Sophie and Violet hug me, even though I just saw them a few hours ago.
“You look amazing,” Sophie says.
“You really do,” Violet adds.
