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Evelyn held the blue top up to herself, studying her reflection. The color brought out her eyes, and the cut was more daring than anything she usually wore. With a shake of her head, she turned away from the mirror. “I don’t even know what to wear,” she said, a nervous laugh escaping her as she started to put the blouse away.

“Do you still have the blue top I gave you for Christmas last year?” Jasmine asked. “Somewhere in the back of your closet?”

Pausing, Evelyn looked at the blouse in her hand. “I do,” she said slowly.

“Then pair that with a pair of black pants you wear when going to fancy conferences.” Turning to the closet, Evelyn knew she had a perfect choice that would complete the tasteful but very sexy look.

She bit her lip. “Are you sure?”

“You’re going to look amazing,” Jasmine assured her. “And who knows? Maybe you’ll meet someone special.”

Evelyn’s stomach fluttered at the thought, but then she took a deep breath. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” she said. “I’m only going to take a look around. Get a feel for things. We might not even stay.”

“Sure, sure,” Jasmine teased. “Just remember, you’re allowed to have fun. It’s your birthday. Time to let loose a little. See you soon.”

As she disconnected the call, Evelyn’s gaze fell on the romance novel by her bed. For years, those books had been her secret escape, a way to experience the passion and excitement she had always been too cautious to pursue in real life. All her past dates with men, few as they were, had always left her wondering if there wasn’t more to romance somehow.Butmaybe it is time to step out of the pages of all these books, she thought.And into my own love story.

With a deep breath, she held up the blue top. “Happy birthday to me,” she murmured, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling in her chest. Tonight, she decided, she would be brave. Tonight, she would take a chance on something new.And who knows?she thought.Maybe real life can turn out to be even better than fiction.

Pushing through the heavy wooden door intoSapphire, Jo was greeted with the familiar beat of a classic Bee Gees song. She smiled.Nothing like a little disco to get the place warmed up,she thought, taking in the familiar mix of excitement that Friday night generated. The bar was already pretty crowded for eight o’clock, and when she looked, the dance floor was full. Laughter and conversation competed with the DJ’s latest mix. Taking a deep breath, Jo felt the tension of the workweek melt away.

“Home, sweet home, yeah?” Mica shouted over the noise as she spotted Jo.

With a grin, Jo’s eyes scanned the crowd. “You know it,” she shouted back. Walking across the wooden floor toward her friend at the bar, she spotted a group of regulars by the pool tables and raised a hand in greeting. “Hey, Jo, good to see you,” a few of them called out over the music. Jo grinned and kept walking. Being a familiar face atSapphireand brimming with confidence, the crowd parted as she walked through it.

Before she even made it to the counter, she saw her favorite bartender, Jess, smiling at her. “Hi there, handsome stranger,” the bartender called, already reaching for a pint glass. “The usual?”

After scanning the taps along the wall behind the bar, many of which were her favorites, Jo shook her head. “You know what,Jess?” she said. “Let’s try something new. Something mellow and maybe a bit hazy?”

Jess raised an eyebrow. “Well, someone’s feeling a little adventurous. But I’ve got just the thing,” she said. “Came in this morning.” She turned to the taps, pulling a rich, hazy liquid into the frosted glass.

Standing at the counter beside her, Mica rolled her eyes. “I swear you’re the biggest beer snob I know,” she said, and Jo laughed.

“Life’s too short for mediocre beer,” she said, accepting the glass from Jess with a wink. She took a sip, savoring the complex flavor. “Mmm, nice. So what is this?”

“A new IPA from the startup microbrewery downtown,” Jess replied. “Thought you would like it.”

“You know me too well, my friend,” Jo said, nodding appreciatively.

“I’ll try something new too,” Mica said. “But I sure don’t want that stuff.”

Jo chuckled. “I know, I know,” she said. “You hate the taste of beer. Something’s just not right with you.” Mica gave her the finger but then refocused on Jess. While Mica ordered her drink, Jo surveyed the room. Her eyes swept over familiar faces and a few new ones, cataloging potential interest with the practiced ease of a seasoned player. Suddenly, she heard loud laughter from the corner and looked that way. A group of women, clearly in celebration mode, surrounded someone who looked, in Jo’s opinion, a little overwhelmed.Maybe she doesn’t like all the attention, Jo thought, taking another sip of her beer.So then, why is she here? Did they talk her into it?

“A birthday party,” Mica said, following Jo’s gaze. She bumped her shoulder. “Fresh meat for the Jo Fuller charm offensive?”

Smiling, Jo nodded but held something back from her usual enthusiastic agreement. Maybe it was the slight hesitation she saw in the birthday girl’s posture, or maybe it was Mica’s words earlier about settling down, echoing in her mind for a moment. For a beat, she wondered what it might be like to be part of something like that. A really close-knit group that would take her out for her birthday. Not that she didn’t have friends, especially Mica, but there was something special radiating from the people celebrating in the corner. Finally, she shook her head, banishing any silly thoughts. “No, let them have their fun,” she said. “There are plenty of other fish in the sea.”

Mica stared at her. “Whoa,” she said. “Are you feeling okay?” Jo took a sip of her beer and didn’t answer. Mica leaned closer. “Seriously? Normally, you’d be halfway across the room by now, laying on the charm.”

Savoring the taste of the beer in her mouth before she swallowed, Jo bought time to sort out her unexpected hesitation, and finally she shrugged. “I’m just taking in the scene. You know, enjoying the anticipation.”

“Okay,” Mica said, drawing out the word and clearly unconvinced. “Don’t tell me this has something to do with our conversation earlier.”

Looking at her, Jo narrowed her eyes. “What? No, of course not,” she said a little bit too quickly. She pushed off the bar. “I’m going to go say hi to Tonya and the gang. Are you coming?” Without waiting for an answer, Jo made her way through the crowd, giving high-fives to a few acquaintances and exchanging flirtatious comments with others, falling back into her comfortable routine. But as she laughed and joked, a small part of her couldn’t help but glance at the birthday group. Her eyes landed on the woman who was the center of attention, and for a moment, their eyes met. They held for a beat, and then the blonde woman quickly looked away.

The blonde was attractive, even if she did look out of her element, and Jo contemplated going over to say hello but, for some reason, she held back. Tonight, things felt off, but Jo shook her head, trying to clear any remaining crazy thoughts.This is my territory, my playground, she thought.I am Jo Fuller, charmer extraordinaire, not some sappy romantic looking for… What? Love? Commitment?She laughed. Never going to happen.

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