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"Ah, Jules." A laugh, short and bitter, escapes me. "Since when did you start gambling with that? You know where that’s gotten you in the past."
The room is quiet, save for the occasional gust of wind against the windowpane. I close the laptop, the clicking sound final, resolute. My gaze drifts back to the sprawling land outside, to the promise of tomorrow's sunrise and the possibility of what might be if I dare to step away from the keyboard and into the unknown.
"Maybe," I say to the room, "it's time to bet on something other than the bottom line."
My fingers hesitate for just a moment before I snatch up my phone and hit speed dial for the one person who always knows how to sort my head from my heart. The line rings, and then Vanessa's voice, chipper and bright as ever, floods through the speaker.
"Jules! Tell me everything. Did the cowboy sweep you off your feet or what?" My mom obviously filled her in on her matchmaking plan, or else she wouldn’t have known about Ryan.
"Vanessa," I say, my voice tinged with an excitement I didn't fully register until now, "he's incredible. And, believe it or not, I've had the best sex of my life with him."
There's a squeal on the other end, followed by a rapid-fire inquisition. "Oh my God, Jules! Details! I need details!"
"Later," I promise, because there are more pressing matters at hand. "But that's not even half of it. I'm... considering staying longer."
"Really?" There's surprise in her tone, but also something like approval. "So, he's gotten under your skin that much, huh?"
"More than I expected," I confess, admitting it feels both liberating and terrifying. "I was supposed to be here for work, but now I'm wondering if I should just extend my stay. Part of me thinks I should go back to Houston and stick to the plan, but..."
"But your heart's telling you to stay and give this a chance," she finishes for me.
"Exactly. So, what do you think I should do? Stick to the business trip schedule or throw caution to the wind?"
"Julia, when was the last time you did something just for you? Not for the company, not for your future retirement goals, but for Julia?"
"Can't remember," I admit, and that's saying something.
"Then there's your answer," Vanessa says gently. "Stay. Do something wild for once."
"Wild doesn't exactly fit on a balance sheet," I mutter, but the idea is growing on me, spreading warmth through my chest.
"Who cares about balance sheets? Sometimes, you have to let your hair down and ride off into the sunset. It's good for the soul. And who knows, maybe you'll find more than just a fling. Maybe you'll find a partner who's willing to ride alongside you."
"Thanks, Vanessa. I needed to hear that," I say, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. "I think I know what I need to do now."
I hang up, tuck my phone into the back pocket of my jeans, and walk out onto the porch where Ryan's leaning against a wooden post, his gaze lost to the horizon.
"Ryan?" I start, my voice steady even though my heart's doing somersaults. He turns, those deep blue eyes fixing on me, and there's a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Hey, sweetheart," he says, pushing off the post to stand upright. "Everything okay?"
"Actually, I've been thinking..." I trail off for a moment, gathering my thoughts. "This trip was supposed to be about work, but it's become so much more."
"More?" He looks at me with a mix of curiosity and hope.
"More," I confirm with a nod. "I'm supposed to go home since this trip has turned out to be not as I planned, but I'm considering staying a bit longer—through the week as my business trip would have entailed. Would that be alright with you?"
His expression softens, and he steps closer, closing the distance between us. "Julia, I can't think of anything I'd like more than having you here with me." He reaches a calloused hand towards my face and tucks a wayward lock of hair behind my ear, so caring.
The way he says it, simple and sincere, sends a thrill through me. Maybe Vanessa is right. Maybe it's time I put myself first and take a chance on something unexpected.
"Of course you can stay, Jules," Ryan's voice is gentle, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. "But I've got one condition."
A condition? My pulse quickens with a mix of trepidation and excitement. "What's that?"
He steps back, arms crossed over his chest as if bracing himself to lay down the law. "You work too much. So, if you're staying here, you limit your work to two hours a day."
"Two hours?" The words escape in a half-laugh, half-gasp. My workaholic tendencies flare up like a knee-jerk reaction.
