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Our phones ding simultaneously, and she whips it from her pocket.

“The girls are out! And oh shitbags, they said there’s some out-of-town football team buying them drinks. Let’s get going!”

???

Nicole might have the most diverse friendship group I’ve ever met.

Marianne is the smart one, her cropped shoulder-length hair and tortoise shell-rimmed glasses giving her the ultimate bookish vibe as she sips back on the only wine available in this deadbeat bar. I’m pretty sure when she asked for a wine list, the bartender replied, “Red or white?” The shock on her face said it all as she muttered red, her cheeks flushing.

Blakely starts off the night quiet and reserved, but assoon as she hits her second drink, she’s up on the table dancing and taking over karaoke at every moment she can. Her auburn hair gives the image of flickering flames as she riles up the crowd under the neon lights.

And then there is Nicole, who is the most genuine person I have ever met. She is soaring high with her business, becoming one of the most sought-after brands to work with, and she just wants to bring everyone along for the ride with her. She doesn’t have a jealous bone in her body, just pure adoration for her friends with a tendency to take in strays. She tells me after a few drinks that despite knowing Marianne since they were in kindergarten, Blakely is a recent addition to their friendship group. And now there’s me—another stray looking for a home.

“That guy has been checking you out for the last twenty minutes.” Her eyes dart over to the corner where a tall, broad, dirty-blond-haired man is sitting. His suit is impeccable, styled with a classic Texan bolo tie and a cowboy hat that makes my mouth water.

He tips his hat to me as I catch his eye, but I quickly look away. It’s only been three weeks since I left Washington, four weeks since I’ve spoken to Austin, yet the memory of him lingers on my skin. How could I get a drink with another guy, knowing I could still smell him on my clothes?

“Hey, darlin’,” a deep voice murmurs.

I glance up and The Suit has made his way over to our booth and leans comfortably against the partition, towering over me.

Holy moly. This guy is hot.

“Hi there.” I smile.

I glance at Nicole, and she fans her face. “She’s single!”

“Nicole!” I snap.

“What? You are, technically.” She shrugs as Marianne and Blakely snicker into their drinks.

“Ah, technically, doesn’t sound all that single.” He laughs, holding out his hand. “I’m Levi.”

“Hi Levi, I’m Olivia.”

“Don’t want to be too forward; I can see you’re out with your girlfriends. But I was wondering if I could get your number. I’d love to take you out so you can tell me all about whattechnically singlemeans.”

Oh, he’s charming, not pushy, acknowledging that I’m out with the girls. He’s ticking a lot of boxes. And the dimples that keep winking at me are definitely helping his case. I pause for a second before pulling out my phone. It’s been four weeks. I live in another state now. What did I have to lose?

“Put your number in my phone, and I’ll give you a call.”

He takes my phone, typing in his number.

“I texted my number, so I’ve got yours.” He winks. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Olivia.”

He takes my hand again but this time brings my knuckles to his lips and kisses them gently. I have the urge to fan myself like Nicole. But a second later, he’s heading to the door.

I turn to the girls. “Did that just happen?”

“Get it, girl. That guy was hot with a capital H,” Blakeley slurs before downing the remainder of her cocktail.

Nicole grins. “He was super hot, Olivia. Are you gonna call him?”

I shake my head. Honestly? No. I could never move on so quickly. Austin still has my heart and it wouldn’t be right to go on a date with someone else knowing that.

“I don’t think so, but it felt pretty nice to be shown some interest.” I wink before I offer to buy everyone a round of drinks to celebrate.

We dance and flirt some more, and it’s not until some random cowboy puts his hands on Nicole’s hips, grinding against her, that I spot Josh at the bar, gripping his glass so hard I’m surprised it hasn’t smashed.