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She made a face at him. “Eight o’clock.”

Tanner glanced at his watch but didn’t comment – it was already a quarter after eight.

She was tempted to tell him that she knew he probably wouldn’t come, but what would be the point?

“Does he know the way here?”

She opened her mouth, about to say yes, he did, but again, what was the point? Instead, she shrugged. “Probably.”

Tanner leaned a little closer, a small smile playing on his lips. “Is this a blind date?”

She let out a short,bitter laugh. “No.”

“A reunion with an ex?”

“That’s closer to the mark, but not exactly.”

“Who is this guy, then?”

Everly shook her head sadly. “He’s …” She felt like she owed Tanner an explanation of some sort, but as friendly as he might be, she didn’t need to launch into telling him her whole life story. “I guess you could say he’s the one that got away.”

He met her gaze and held it. “Is he worthy of you?”

She gave him a sad smile. “If you go by his track record, then the answer has to be no.”

“Then why waste your time hanging around waiting for him?”

“I guess we don’t get to choose who we love, do we? I know you’re right – I should give up on him. Maybe this time, once I go home, I will. It’s just … He’s kind of … I guess you could say that he’s the love of my life.”

Tanner blew out a sigh and nodded. “I can’t say that I get it – I don’t. But I can respect it. I said it earlier, and I’ll say it again – he’s a lucky guy.” He looked at her now almost empty glass of wine. “Seems to me that you need another one of those.”

“I told you; I have to drive.”

“If he shows, surely he can drive.”

She gave him a wry smile. It was no doubt just as obvious to Tanner as it was to her that he wasn’t coming.

Tanner winked. “And if he doesn’t show, I can give you a ride. I pass Remington Ranch on my way home.”

She stared at him, and he chuckled. “There are only two ranches around here that have a guest lodge. You have to be staying at Remington Ranch.”

“Why?”

“Because the other lodge is at MacFarland Ranch, and if you were staying there, I’d have seen you.” His smile faded. “I don’t want to creep you out or anything. It’s just a friendly offer of a ride home later if you need one.”

He pointed toward his group of friends, and a couple of them waved at her. “We can bring as many chaperones as you like. That’s my family.”

“All of them?” she asked in surprise. It wasn’t the most relevant detail to pick up on but…

Tanner laughed. “No, that’s not all of them. There are a few who aren’t here tonight.”

She looked down into her glass and then back up at him. She should probably just thank him for the offer and leave. But… “What the hell? Why not? Go on, I’ll have another.”

He grinned as he refilled her glass. “Since we’ve established that we’re friends, we should probably know each other’s names, don’t you think? I’m Tanner.” He held his hand out across the bar, and she chuckled as she shook it.

“Nice to meet you, Tanner. I’m Everly.”

Chapter Two