Page 19 of Made for Wilde

I think back to that moment when our eyes locked across the bar. The way his gaze had swept over me, lingering just a second too long. How his voice had roughened when he said my name.

“Maybe,” I admit quietly. “But that doesn’t mean anything. He was probably just surprised to see how much I’ve grown up.”

“Or,” Sarah says, leaning forward with a gleam in her eye, “he was thinking the same things you were thinking.”

“That’s ridiculous.” I drain my wine glass. “He’s Koda. He dates models and athletes. Not hairstyling students who can barely pay rent.”

“You’re selling yourself short.” Sarah refills our glasses. “You’re gorgeous, smart, and funny. Any man would be lucky to have you.”

I shake my head. “Even if—and that’s a massive if—there was something there, Dad would never forgive me. Or him.”

“Your dad wants you to be happy,” Sarah says gently. “And you’re an adult who can make her own decisions.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“It never is.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Look, I’m not saying you should jump his bones the next time you see him. But don’t beat yourself up for having feelings, either.”

I stare at our clasped hands. “What would you do?”

Sarah thinks for a moment.

“Honestly? I’d take some time to figure out if this is just a resurfacing childhood crush or something more. Real feelings don’t go away just because they’re inconvenient.”

The weight of the day suddenly crashes down on me, and I feel exhaustion seeping into my bones. “I’m probably overthinking all of this. It was one weird night at the bar. I might never even see him again.”

Sarah snorts. “I’m sure you will. Cooper Heights isn’t exactly a metropolis.”

The thought sends a flutter through my stomach. “Ugh, I hope not. I need time to process this.”

“Well, whatever happens,” Sarah says, “I’ve got your back.”

“Thanks, Sarah.”

“That’s what friends are for. Oh, by the way,” Sarah sets down her wine glass. “I’m driving out to Denver tomorrow to see my mom. She’s having surgery.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, just a knee thing she’s been putting off. But the weather forecast is looking pretty bad this weekend.” She gives me a concerned look. “They’re saying we might get hit with a bad ice storm. Like power outage level bad.”

I laugh and push away from the couch.

“I’ll be fine.” I gather my wine glass and head toward the kitchen. “I’ll stock up on candles and ramen. Maybe catch up on some studying if we get snowed in.”

Sarah nods reluctantly.

“Okay, but promise you’ll call if anything happens?”

“I promise I won’t freeze to death or starve.” I rinse my glass in the sink. “Now, I desperately need a shower. I smell like beer and French fries.”

“And sexual frustration,” Sarah adds with a smirk.

I shake my head and laugh as I stand up.

“Goodnight, Sarah.”

“Night, Charlotte. Sweet dreams about your mountain man!”

I head to my room to change out of my work clothes and take a shower. Sarah’s words echo in my head as the door closes behind me. I step into the shower and the hot water feels amazing as it hits my skin. I close my eyes and let it wash away the smell of beer and bar food.