Lucky in Love (Southern Bride 4)

Lucy gave me a triumphant smile. “Don’t even think about going home and taking your bra off, crawling into comfy clothes, and texting that you’re not coming.”

I laughed. “I promise, I really do need the night out.”

With a beaming smile, Lucy waved her fingers at me. “See you soon!”

As promised, I went home, arranged for Liliana to stay with my folks, put on a pair of my favorite Wrangler jeans and a cute shirt that probably showed too much cleavage, and slipped on my favorite pair of boots.

When I opened the door, I let out a yelp. “Ryan! You scared the crap out of me.”

He grinned. “Our mother called to inform me you were going out.”

I raised a brow. “Tell me she didn’t ask you to go along.”

“She didn’t. She invited me over for movie night. But I need a night out, too. I broke up with Miranda.”

“You did it!” I gasped.

“Yes, and before you judge me, I intend on hooking up with a woman whom I hope has loose morals and is only interested in a one-night stand. So you’re driving.”

I snarled my lip. “Okay, first off, that was way too much information. And how do you know I didn’t want to hook up with someone?”

Anger flashed through his eyes. “Saryn, you’re not having a one-night stand.”

“Ryan, you don’t get to say what I can and cannot do. Sorry.”

He rolled his eyes. “God, at least let me make sure I know the dude and he’s not a douche or a serial killer, or a douchey serial killer.”

I reached for the door and pulled it shut behind me. “If you’re hanging out with serial killers, I think we have a bigger problem here.”

Ryan laughed and draped his arm over my shoulder. “I never thought I’d say this, but let’s go find some pussy…um…and dick.”

“Yeah, you just made it really weird.”

“I know, let’s forget I even said anything.”

The moment Ryan and I walked into Bricks Dance Hall, I felt like I’d stepped back in time. The music pulsed through my body and I had an incredible urge to dance.

“Who is the hottie walking toward us, tell me you know her!” Ryan said, nearly screaming it over the music. With one quick glance to where he was looking, I smiled.

“That’s Lucy. She’s a nurse I work with. And I’m pretty sure from the stories she tells us at work that she’s your perfect rebound girl.”

My brother let a charming smile play across his face. By the look on Lucy’s, he wasn’t going to have to work hard at this tonight.

“Who’s your handsome friend, Saryn?” Lucy asked, somehow managing to make her voice sound seductive over the music.

“This is my brother, Ryan. Ryan, Lucy Hart.”

He took Lucy’s hand and kissed the back of it, causing me to roll my eyes. He said something to her, but I couldn’t hear what it was since he leaned in and said it close to her ear. By the way she flushed, I was glad I hadn’t heard it.

“Where have you been hiding your brother, Saryn?” Lucy asked, tearing her gaze from Ryan.

“In the woodshed,” I replied.

She laughed then focused back on Ryan. “Care to dance?”

“Lead the way.”

And like that, I was on my own. I didn’t even know where Lucy was sitting with the other nurses. I looked around the bar in an attempt to find them, but it was packed with people.

“Shit.”

I turned and headed to the bar. I’d order a beer and make my way around until I found them.

As I stood in line, I let my eyes wander. I didn’t know anyone in the place. Boerne wasn’t really the small town I’d grown up in any longer. More and more people were moving outside of San Antonio. Boerne still managed to keep its small-town appeal, but little local places like this clearly had attracted more city folk. Half of them weren’t even two-stepping the right way.

With a sigh, I finally stepped up to the bar. The bartender gave me a smile, let his eyes drop to my chest, then snapped them back up. “What can I get you?”

“Bud, in a bottle, please.”

He nodded and walked away to get my beer. After I paid and tipped him, I turned and froze in place. Standing not far from the bar was Truitt. My knees felt wobbly. Again. This time the man wasn’t nearly naked. Oh, no. He was wearing tight jeans, a very snug blue T-shirt, and a black cowboy hat. Why, of all the men in Texas, did this one make my insides quiver with desire? The dull pulse between my legs was almost instant. As if he could sense I was staring at him, he turned and looked directly at me. He smiled. Good Lord up above. I actually let out a sigh.

“Look away, Saryn. Look away,” I muttered to myself as I looked past him, attempting to make it seem like I was searching for someone. I walked in the opposite direction, quickly.