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At one point, the co-pilot comes out of the cockpit, takes one look at me and the empty seats, and with a flirty wink, asks, “What did you do?” in a British accent.

The air stewardess with sharp features leans in even closer until he cowers, gives me one final wink, and hops back into the cockpit.

My luggage is first off the carousel, and then I’m greeted by a driver from the convention.

I could get used to this kind of living.

And now, as I walk around the convention center, the bustling fitness community is swarming in. Dance-offs are happening between the chairs. Salsa classes are taking place in one of the connecting rooms. Music is playing, but it seems to alternate between genres with every stall I pass.

I am smiled at as fliers are thrust into my hand. This isn’t my first convention, but it is certainly the biggest and the first I’ve been invited to personally.

I check my calendar. My first stop is a new brand that has reached out to meet.

I head over toward the stall and am greeted by a short brunette with a huge smile. She is so bubbly she is almost jumping.

“Oh. My. Gosh. JOSH, she’s here!” she squeals, reachingout to shake my hand as she straightens her spine and pushes her shoulders back, her high ponytail swinging.

A head, which I presume is Josh’s, pops around the back of the stall. “Oh lord, brace your ears,” he warns.

“Nice to meet you. You must be Nicole?”

“Oh god, you know my name. YOU. KNOW. MY. NAME.” She hops as Josh’s head disappears around the back of the stall, eyes rolling as he goes.

I decide not to tell her it is on her name tag. “Of course. I’m excited to see what products you have. Truthfully, your brand is the one I’m most excited about seeing this weekend.”

It’s the truth. They run an eco-friendly clothing company out of Texas that has great reviews so far. It just needs a little more exposure to get their name out there, which is where I come in. It helps that the clothes are gorgeous. As well as your simple basics, they have cowboy-inspired workout gear that works well for anyone with extra flair. The fringe tassels look amazing when you spin around in a dance class.

I play with the tassels on a light yellow top, which I think would go well with my lavender shorts. A small cowboy hat is embroidered over the top left-hand corner.

“Oh, that would be perfect for you. Although, if you don’t mind, I have a few options put aside for you that I thought would suit you.”

“Absolutely, you’re the expert—although I’m definitely going to buy the yellow one.”

“Take it! As a token of our appreciation for meeting with us so soon on the weekend.”

“She’s giving the stock away again,” Josh mutters to himself.

Nicole leans in. “Josh doesn’t technically work for the brand. He’s, err, helping this weekend. He lost a bet with my brother.”

“A bet?”

“Yes, my brother was supposed to come with me, but in poor form after too many beers, he made a bet Josh couldn’trefuse.”

“Okay, now I’m intrigued.”

“Nicole, you’re supposed to be introducing her to the brand to develop your business. Not gossiping about your brother and his friend.”

“You’re my friend too, Joshy,” she teases.

His jaw clenches ever so slightly, and I swear I hear him mutter, “Yes, I know we’re just friends,” before diving into another merch box.

Interesting.

“Well, if you’re free tonight, I don’t have any plans. The three of us could go for drinks and dinner?” The invitation slips from my lips before I realize what I’m saying.

I haven’t been out with friends, albeit new ones, in a long time. My business has been my sole focus—before Austin, at least. But the thought of letting loose with a few new people seems like a great idea as long as I don’t do anything to mess up the business prospect.

No tequila. That’s for certain.