Hitching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 1)

“So no fast food or retail therapy? Wow. That’s how I got through beauty school. It’s hard to imagine not being able to get things instantly. Especially Starbucks.” I try to picture it, but I’ve lived in Phoenix all my life with parents who’d buy me anything at any moment. I never really realize how privileged I was until now, but the simple life also sounds incredible.

Everyone has finished eating when Summer stands, interrupting the conversation. The rest of the girls do too, so I take it as my cue to get up. Riley and I push our chairs away at the same time, and we’re mere inches apart. My breath hitches as I look up into his eyes and swallow hard.

“See ya around, Zoey,” Riley says, taking a step back and putting space between us.

I nod. “Yeah, tonight on the bus.”

A cheesy grin fills his face. “Oh right. It’s a date.”

“Not quite, but sure,” I say, smiling. Summer interrupts our moment by looping her arm in mine and pulling me away.

“See you tonight, Arizona,” Riley calls out a cute nickname, causing me to laugh, then heads in the other direction.

“Bye, ladies!” Diesel yells, and I watch Chelsea turn around and giggle.

We walk out the main doors of the hotel, and Summer smirks at me.

“What?” I finally ask, though I know I’m as transparent as glass.

“What were you and Riley chatting about? I could barely hear a word because of Diesel.”

I roll my eyes. “Nothing much.”

“He’s cute,” she blurts out. “Really cute, and he seemed interested in you.”

A grin touches my lips.

She bumps her hip against mine. “You know he was.”

“Okay, maybe he is, but he might as well be from another planet. He lives in the middle of small-town nowhere Texas.”

As we wait to cross the street, I can hear Chelsea going on about Diesel, and her vulgar vocabulary makes me snort. She’s dirty as fuck.

“Remember what you said, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right? I saw the way you two looked at each other. You should totally go for it.” Summer gives me a suggestive look, and I laugh, almost shocked my sister is condoning this.

“What did Mom and Dad tell us again? Don’t talk to strangers?” I remind her, chuckling at the ridiculousness of it all, considering we’re not kids.

“Right, but they’re not strangers anymore. We know their names and where they’re from. Also, we had breakfast with them. So, they’re our new friends at this point.” She waggles her brows.

I smirk as we head toward the crowded strip mall. The six of us go through several shops, and for once, I’m glad I brought a huge suitcase because I hit up the sale racks.

Checking the time, I notice it’s just past four. If we’re going to make it to the tour on time, we need to eat before getting ready for tonight. We stop at the Hard Rock Cafe and have a nice dinner along with pregame drinks, then giggle our way back to the hotel. Summer’s friends are the horniest bunch of women I’ve ever been around, and I can’t believe they haven’t corrupted her. Or maybe they have.

After Summer and I take our showers, we both stand in the bathroom fixing our hair while the other girls get ready in their room. She booked a nice room for just us and then got the other girls a suite to share. Summer’s outdone herself with contoured makeup and bright red lips, and she looks absolutely gorgeous. I go for a more natural look with gloss and mascara, but we’re both wearing dresses that hug our curves like a second skin.

Summer smiles as I finish up. “Nervous about seeing him again?”

“Do you think they’re really coming tonight?” I’m not convinced they could get tickets because we booked this excursion months ago. It’s a popular tour, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s full.

“Diesel seems like the kind of guy who’d sweet-talk himself onto that bus. He seems pretty resilient, and I don’t think he’d take no for an answer from anyone,” she quips.

“True.” I suck in a deep breath and look at my phone, seeing a text from Benjamin. I groan, and Summer notices as I flip my screen face down so I don’t have to look at it, but then it vibrates again. I remember my mother asking me to give him a chance, so I let out a huff and check it.

“What’s he want?” Summer looks at me in the mirror as she applies another layer of mascara.

I let her read it for herself.

“Another date, huh? How many will this be now?”

“Four, maybe five? Honestly, I’ve lost count.” Because I don’t care.

“He seems like the perfect man. Has a great career, attractive, and comes from a nice family.” She’s basically repeating everything our parents say about him. “You should give him a chance. He could be really good for you, Zoey.”