Page 193 of Tessa and Nash

I stare at my reflection in the mirror as she begins working a curling iron through the strands. “This is unnecessary.”

“It’s strategic.”

“Strategic for what?”

Maeve meets my eyes in the mirror. “For reminding Buckhorn that you are not the tragic heroine of their gossip story.”

A moment passes.

Then she smiles.

“You’re the woman who walks into the room and makes them nervous.”

Despite myself, I laugh softly.

Twenty minutes later, I’m standing in front of the mirror wearing the green dress, my hair falling in soft waves around my shoulders instead of its usual practical braid.

Maeve steps back with a satisfied expression. “There.”

I examine my reflection.

I look… different.

Less the careful administrator Buckhorn expects.

More someone who might actually belong at a Valentine’s Day auction.

“You look incredible,” Maeve says.

“I look like someone who made questionable decisions.”

“That too.”

I glance at her. “You’re enjoying this.”

“Immensely.”

I take a sharp breath and reach for my coat.

“Well,” I say, “let’s go face the jury.”

Maeve grins. “That’s the spirit.” Then she pauses. “And Tessa?”

“Yes?”

“If Nash McCoy is there…”

I stare at her. “Maeve.”

“I’m just saying, we can make a plan…”

I shake my head and head for the door, not planning for anything. Because if life is kind to me, he won’t be there at all. I’ll never have to see him again.

The rodeo hall is already buzzing when we arrive.

Music drifts through the open doors along with the warm smell of chili and cider, and the windows shine against the dark February evening like the entire building has decided to impersonate a Hallmark movie.

Maeve pauses on the steps and turns to me. “Shoulders back.”