Page 1 of Loving Hard on the Highway (Love Along Route 14)

Gabbie

“To new beginnings!” Laurel sniffled, wiping a tear with one hand and raising her umbrella-decorated margarita with the other.

“And may that ass wipe Rick’s balls fall off!” Evie shouted over the pulsating music at Club Vida, holding up her glass of mojito to me.

“Aww, thanks, guys,” I cheered, clinking my daiquiri to my friends’ glasses as we stood around the neon cocktail table. “It almost doesn’t feel real that I’m finally leaving Florida.”

My two closest friends and I took long gulps from our drinks as the music vibrated through the crowd of club goers.

“Selfie time!” Laurel squeezed between me and Evie and snapped a few pictures. “I’ll post these on InView tomorrow night. That should help buy you some time before Rick knows you’re gone. He’s always stalking your social media.”

“That’s a good idea.” I sipped my daiquiri and took a quick peek over my shoulder at the club entrance.

“Gabbie, he’s not coming.” Evie placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“I know. It’s just that…” I started, but Laurel jumped in.

“Anya has confirmed that Rick is working security at the convention center’s main entrance,” Laurel assured me. “If he leaves, she will text me. I promise. He doesn’t know anything.”

“We stick to the plan,” Evie said calmly, just loud enough for me to hear her over the music.

“I have a car rental reserved in my name waiting for you. Laurel will keep your phone, so there’s no chance Rick can track you.

Take Route 14 and pick up a burner phone in Saddleback, Tennessee.

In a few days, you’ll be in sunny California, and that ass wipe won’t be able to do a damn thing about it. ”

I took a deep breath and nodded. We had a plan. I just had to stick to it, and I’d be back with my sisters in a few days.

“Good.” Evie smirked as she grabbed my hand. “Now, let’s dance!”

“Okay.” I took a couple more swallows of my drink and barely got it placed on the table before Evie and Laurel dragged me onto the dance floor.

The nervous unease that squeezed through my body and made my skin prickle seemed to ease as we laughed and gyrated to the bass.

Evie’s gaze flicked over my shoulder, then back again.

“Well, okay.” She gave Laurel a nudge, then smirked at me. “There’s a guy in the middle of the dance floor. The one with the almost too perfect dark hair, chiseled jaw, and who looks like he lifts furniture for fun. He’s definitely looking at you.”

“Oh my god, Gabbie,” Laure’s eyes lit up, “he is totally checking you out!”

“He’s probably looking at Evie.” I shrugged. “She saw him first.”

“Gabbie, for real, he’s looking at you ,” Laurel grinned.

“Why do you think I got us bikini waxes for our last girls’ night?” Evie teased. “So, unless you want to miss out on your last chance to get some here in Florida, I seriously suggest you turn around.”

I hesitated before peeking over my shoulder. It was as if the strobing neon lights gleamed across the crowded dance floor and illuminated him. Hot guy glanced directly at me and raised his brows with the smallest, unmistakable chin raise for me to join him.

Laurel leaned in, her eyes wide. “Okay, that was a dance with me nod . Are you seriously not going to go?”

“I don’t know about dancing with a stranger. What if it’s some friend of Rick’s?” I winced, still worried that somehow my toxic cop ex would find out.

“No way.” Laurel shook her head. “Rick only hangs out with cop types.”

“This guy is too hot to be friends with Rick,” Evie added. “Key word here is hot !”

I glanced back one more time, and good mercy. The guy really was gorgeous. “If I come back and he’s the worst…”

“We’ll be right here to clown you about it for the rest of the night,” Evie laughed.

I shook my head, laughing, and turned toward the middle of the dance floor. Hot guy met me halfway, a silent question in his outstretched hand. I took it as he looked me over and pulled me closer to him.

I was impressed that he did more than the basic dude shuffle. He was bringing it, so I started to grind against him as he pressed against me. I figured, why the hell not?

And then the beat shifted. The smooth, slow rhythm coupled with his sexy gaze drew me in.

“You are one hell of a dancer.” He leaned down into my ear, his voice low enough for me to hear over the music and feel the warmth of his breath against my neck.

I raised an eyebrow, amused. “Is that your line?”

“Nope. Just an observation. It’s nice to see such a free and pretty…smile on the dance floor.”

I laughed—genuinely—and relaxed a little. “I’m rusty. It’s been a while since I let myself do this.”

He grinned, and damn, if it didn’t look good on him. “Well, you’re doing fine. Not that I’m an expert.”

He spun me once, and when I landed back in front of him, something shifted—the air between us felt close in a good way. His hand steadied me, and his smile softened.

“You’ve got a great laugh,” he said. “More people should try to earn it.”

“Flattery from a stranger? Dangerous territory.” I peered up at him with a coy smirk.

“I’m taking my chances,” he smiled, appraising me. “You got a name?”

“Gabrielle. Gabbie.”

“Sean,” he said, leaning in even closer. There was little space between us, and he smelled delicious. “You from here?”

“Yeah. I’ve been here for a couple of years.”

My heart dropped a little. I can’t fall for this guy because I’m leaving. But I couldn’t tell him that. It nagged the back of my mind that Rick might find out.

“And you?” I asked awkwardly.

“I’m just up from Miami,” he said, his expression hinting that he knew I wasn’t relaxed anymore.

Thankfully, the slow song ended, and the beat picked back up to a rapid pulse.

“I’d better get back to my friends.” I pulled away from him. “We’re having a girls’ night.”

He looked confused as I quickly hurried back to the cocktail table where Laurel and Evie were waiting.

I glanced back to see him check his watch and then disappear into the crowd. Damn. I could have left Florida with a bang.