Page 114 of Love Me Like You Do

She’d been here for the Petticoat Ruler’s holiday party, and she remembered how unsure she’d felt. How caught in fear. She didn’t feel any of that tonight. “This is the prom?” She took in the dance floor lined with rows of people two-stepping.

“Calamity-style.” In the entryway, he nodded to a well-dressed woman who looked to be the manager. She gave him a nod before lifting the pass-through behind the bar.

Everyone was dressed in jeans and boots, sweaters—a casual night of dancing and drinking after a day on the slopes. “Okay, now I’m Cinderella at a hoe-down.” In their formal wear, they got a lot of double takes. “I think I got the wrong fairy godmother.”

“Would you rather we go to the Homestead Inn?” His brow creased in concern. “I thought about renting the ballroom, but I didn’t think you’d have as much fun.”

She tugged him close. “You nailed it. I’d much rather be here.” Though she didn’t know how she could two-step in her stilettos.

The manager approached, carrying a hat and a pair of boots. “Hey, Cole. Nice to see you.” She handed him the black Stetson. “And you must be Hailey. I’m Dana, and I’m your concierge for the night.”

“My concierge?” She said it on a laugh. “Wow.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She handed her a pair of the flashiest, most expensive cowboy boots she’d ever seen. She recognized the signature look of the studs and crystals. “Dolce & Gabbana?”

Dana grinned. “You got it.”

She looked at Cole. “Are you going to keep this up?”

“Keep what up?”

“Spoiling me rotten?”

“I mean…” Cole reached for the boots. “I could return them.”

Laughing, Hailey grabbed them. “The hell you will. I love them.”

“I didn’t think you’d last long in the shoes Knox brought.”

“Well, you’re right about that.” Her toes pinched already, but she wouldn’t have said a thing. They were too gorgeous.

“Is this one of her dresses?” Dana asked.

“It is.”

The manager eyed the pink confection with awe. “You’re one lucky woman. It’s stunning.”

“Thank you. I love it.”

“Well, here. Hand me the shoes, and I’ll keep them safe for you.” Dana gestured to a chair in the waiting area.

Carefully, she sat down and pried off each delicate sandal, replacing them with the stunning, flashy boots. “These are unreal.” She gazed up at Cole. “Thank you so much.” As she stood, flexing her toes in the unfamiliar shoes, Dana handed her a white cowboy hat with a crystal-encrusted band. Hailey burst out laughing. “Really?”

“Cinderella’s redneck ball?” he teased.

“Exactly. Let’s do this.”

“Hang on,” Dana said. “You can’t dance in that dress.” She reached into the folds and undid a clasp. The outer layer of poofy tulle came away, leaving Hailey in a comfortable silk sheath.

“I have no words for how perfect this whole night is.”

And then, they headed onto the dance floor, and she danced the night away with the most handsome, kind, generous man in the world.

Everything would be all right.

She just knew it.

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