Inside, I knew the floor was littered with peanut shells.The bar would be crowded with the locals and regulars laughing and drinking cheap beer on a Friday night.In the back, the rattle of balls as someone racked them and then the crack as they broke.The dancefloor was nothing but a small square hardwood floor covered in sawdust for the best boot scootin’.And the old jukebox in the corner hummed between songs—country, rock, or whatever someone felt like paying for—the glow casting lazy shadows along the walls and floor.
It was old.Not fancy.
But familiar.
The kind of place where everyone knew your name, your face, your business.And nobody cared as long as you bought the next round.
I smiled, pushed open the car door and stepped out into the balmy summer night.
When I heard my name and looked up.There, walking across the gravel parking lot, was Halle.Waving like she was ten miles away instead of ten feet.
“You showed up!”
Golden hair hung in lazy waves over her shoulders.Green eyes sparkled with life and mirth underneath her straw cowboy hat.Her off-the-shoulder boho sundress was paired with a pair of worn cowboy boots and accessorized with a wide belt, a fringe bag, and silver jewelry.
For a moment, I stopped cold as I gaped at my friend.This was a look featured in fashion magazines.A look that women tried to recreate in the city.A look that cost thousands in SoHo.While here was Halle doing it in her effortless way and it probably cost less than a hundred bucks.
If I still worked at the magazine, I would absolutely insist on a spread of boho cowgirl chic.
“I made it,” I said.
“Good!Tonight is about nothing but fun.”She hooked her arm in mine and together we entered.
The music was loud.The air was stale.The beer was flowing.The laughter was boisterous.And for a moment, I soaked it all in and let it thrum through me.This was home.This was right.
Halle led me through the bar to the back with the pool tables.I hadn’t played in so long, I was sure I was rusty.But my heart was thumping with George Strait and for the first time since I arrived in Hickory Hollow, I felt something akin to joy.
The second we made it to the back with the pool tables, I stopped short.
There, with a sweating bottle of beer in one hand and a pool cue in the other… was Owen.
My pulse did something stupid.Of course he’d be here.Of course my hometown would pick tonight to mess with me.
Halle stopped next to me following my line of vision.
“Well, look at that.Don’t tell me this town doesn’t love a set up.Let’s go over!”She started to drag me toward them.
But my feet refused to move.“No, Halle.We should go.”
“What?And miss out on all the fun?We can all shoot pool together.Have a few laughs.Come on.It’ll be fun.”
Halle gave me another tug and practically dragged me into the back with the pool tables, right toward Owen and his mysterious friend.
As we approached, he caught sight of me.His eyes widened in surprise and then he smiled which made my insides turn to jelly.
Halle came to a halt next to the pool table.“Well, look who it is.Owen McAllister and Luke Bennett.”
Luke Bennett.Of course.Quarterback star who was destined for a Heisman.Yet here he was still in Hickory Hollow.
“Ladies,” Luke said with a tip of his hat.
But I couldn’t take my eyes off Owen.The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled to his elbows, the top buttons undone.Like he’d just got off work and was trying to reset after a long week.
“You remember Piper, don’t you, Luke?”
“Yes, ma’am.”He grinned at me, showing off deep dimples that were still killer even all these years later.“Welcome back, Piper.”
“Ma’am?”I said with a laugh.“That makes me feel old.”
