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“That’s sweet of y’all. Thank you. Let me think about it, all right?”

He glances at me. “Don’t sound so thrilled.”

“I’m sorry. I really do appreciate the offer. Thank you. I’m just tired.” It’s a lie, but I yawn nonetheless.

Sighing, Dad turns his attention back to the road.

I’m going to be actually, legitimately tired once I start my job. It’ll be balls to the wall from the get-go: twelve-hour shifts, tons of overtime, eighty-hour weeks. Lots of stress. Just thinking about it makes my stomach twist.

Needless to say, I’m not going to have a lot of free time. I have to have fun while I can. Only problem? I’m not great at fun.

However, Idoknow someone who, in his own words, is a master at it.

My stomach does a somersault when I remember the hot glimmer I saw in Wyatt’s eyes last night when he called me Cinderella and spun me around the dance floor. Beck clearly couldn’t stay away once I had Wyatt’s attention. And I couldn’t help but notice how comfortable I felt with Wyatt. When I was with Beck, I was a nervous wreck, overthinking every little thing. But with my best friend, I was able to have fun.

I was able to be carefree.

What if…

This is crazy and inappropriate and just plain weird, but what if I asked Wyatt for another lesson-slash-date? Just so he can teach me to let go and have a good time with a guy? A fake date would also have the added bonus of making other guys jealous.

My pulse skips a beat when I remember the potluck is coming up. Wyatt wouldn’t be caught dead at such a wholesome event, but every other cowboy in Hart County will be there.

Bet Wyatt looksreallygood dressed up, but that’s neither here nor there. Does he even own a suit jacket?

I glance at the jug of cider behind my seat. Glance at the clock. It’s only nine, but that’s practically the afternoon on acattle ranch. Wyatt and the other cowboys have been up for hours at this point.

Dad drops me off at our house. “Try to get some rest, all right?”

“Love you.” I grab my cider, open the door, and hop out of the truck.

“Sally,” he warns, clearly suspicious of my sudden burst of energy.

I look up at Dad with a grin. The warm sunshine pours over my head and shoulders. “I’m getting a second wind.”

“Rest, sweetheart.”

“I’ll see ya later, Dad.” I close the door and scurry inside the house, wondering if my parents have an extra bottle of Jack Daniel’s around.

I don’t know if I’ll actually have the courage to ask Wyatt to be my fake date to the potluck. Just like I don’t know if going through with this dumbass plan will make me feel worse or better.

All I know is, I have to dosomething.

And I know if I ask Wyatt to get his mid-morning buzz on with me, the answer will be yes. The guy can never say no to a good time.

Come to think of it, he can never say no to me either.

CHAPTER 5

Wyatt

DIAL DRUNK

I’m already grabbingmy rope and urging my horse, Joker, into an all-out sprint when Sawyer shouts, “You got her, Wyatt?”

“Oh, I got her.”

Joker and I make a beeline for the rogue calf who’s apparently intent on driving me up the wall today. This is the second time since sunrise that she’s tried to make a run for it.