Hitching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 1)

The last part has me snickering.

“Dean’s allergies are ridiculous,” she complains with an eye roll. “We have an aquarium. It’s about as far as it goes for pets.”

Once I’m fully done applying her color, I set a timer and tell her to hold tight while I go clean out the bowl and brush.

“Just wait for the right man. Don’t rush into anything,” she warns when I return.

All I can do is smile because the only man interested in me is my dad’s friend’s son, and he’s ten years older than I am. Benjamin and I have gone on a few dates, which I agreed to just to appease my parents, but that’s about it. He’s a hotshot doctor, an up and coming heart surgeon who’s determined to take over the medical field with his smarts, charm, and good looks. He even gave himself the nickname “Life Saver.” My parents are in love with him, and I’m trying to feel something but refuse to force it.

After I’ve rinsed out the color, then blow-dried and styled Trina’s hair, she pays, leaving me a big tip. I adore her, and she enjoys spending her husband’s money, so I have no complaints.

My next appointment isn’t for two hours, so instead of staying in the salon all day, I decide to go out for lunch. Twenty minutes later, I stop at a sandwich shop downtown. Taking a seat outside, I eat, soaking up the Phoenix sun, wishing I could stay in this spot all day. As I’m taking my last bite, my phone dings with a text, and I pick it up and see a message from my sister, Summer.

Summer: Three more days and we’re flying out! I CANNOT WAIT!

Zoey: I know! I’m itching for a vacation.

I love taking road trips and seeing different places. Having schedule flexibility was one of the reasons I decided to do hair in the first place. I didn’t want to be tied to a nine-to-five job and work for someone else. I needed the freedom to come and go as I please, and with my current position, I have that. Typically, every few months, I’ll get in my car and drive somewhere I’ve never been before. This year, though, I’ve been trying to save up for an apartment to move out of my parents’ house, so I haven’t gone anywhere yet.

Summer: 72 HOURS!

I smile at the thought of going to Vegas. Her best friend even scheduled a club crawl tour bus so we can easily barhop. Summer’s been planning her wedding since she was five years old, including her bachelorette party.

Upon checking the time, I see I have a little under an hour until my next client arrives, so I go back to the salon and wait. The rest of the day flies by quickly without any cancellations, which is great, but it also means standing for hours without a break.

Even though I’m exhausted when I get home, I take the time to eat with my parents. My dad isn’t home often for dinner, considering he’s a doctor and usually gets called in even after long workdays, so I try to spend as much time with them as I can, though the conversation rarely goes in a positive direction.

“How’s work going?” Dad asks as he scrolls through his phone. I’ve gotta give him props for even asking, considering I can’t remember the last time he did.

“Great, actually. Pretty busy, but I can’t complain.” I keep my response short and sweet because I know what’s coming next.

He sighs, displeased. “You’re so smart, Zoey. You would make a wonderful physician. People adore you, and you have great people skills, just like Summer does. You two got that from me,” he says with a small smirk. “There’s still time to change your mind and go to school,” he adds before stuffing his mouth. Not a week passes without a reminder from him about how great I would’ve been following in his footsteps.

Summer’s a few years older than I am, and she’s already graduated with a perfect GPA in pre-med and is working to become a doctor just like my father. Then there’s me, who decided not to go to college or keep the family legacy of practicing medicine alive. Now they’re convinced if I marry someone who they approve of—someone who comes from money or has money—then all will be well in the world, and as soon as that thought hits, my mother chimes in.

“So, how’s Benjamin?” She looks at me with bright blue eyes, hoping I’ll say exactly what she wants to hear.

“He’s fine, I guess. Not sure.” I shrug, hoping she’ll drop the topic. “Haven’t chatted with him in a few days,” I admit and feel the disappointment streaming off her when she furrows her brows.

My father speaks up. “He’s a great kid. You should really give him a chance, Zoey. Comes from a good family of doctors and is well mannered. Great at his job, which pays extremely well. He’ll make a name for himself without a doubt. Hell, he’s well on his way now, considering all the experience he’s had in surgery.”