Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Emery
I halt outside the door to Lucky Cowboy. I drove around in circles for over ten minutes, stalling before I finally parked. And yet, somehow, I’m still early.
My stomach twists with nerves, and I nearly text Alyssa that I’m backing out.
I’m not blind date material. I’m not the kind of girl a guy notices at first glance. This fact doesn’t bother me; it’s simply the truth.
I’ve always considered myself more of a slow burn, someone a man could truly fall for, but only after he gets to know me and accepts my quirks.
I smooth the front of my floral mini skirt and glance at my reflection in the glass wall next to the door. My hair’s windblown, and my cheeks are flushed from the Montana mountain air. I don’t look neat or sophisticated.
God, I can’t believe I let Alyssa talk me into this.
But then I remember what happened yesterday with Fred and the lost promotion. I have nothing to go home to other than a couple weeks at a ranch. In other words, I have nothing to lose. So…
Time to cowgirl up and have a good time, Mimi.
I take a breath and pull on the door handle of the Lucky Cowboy. My brain can’t stop hope from entering my heart and taking up residence. Hope that this guy I’m about to meet will be someone I actually like. God, at least let him be better than my ex.
I swing open the door and stride inside. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting.
I scan the room quickly.
And that’s when my gaze snags on… him .
The hot, dark-haired guy I barreled into outside the coffee shop yesterday. I haven’t been able to quit thinking about him, and here he is.
He’s sitting alone at the bar, nursing a bottle of beer.
Our eyes lock, and I actually have to catch my breath.
His stare is…intense. Goosebumps hit my bare skin. I hope he’s my blind date. He’s certainly got the good looks Alyssa promised.
He’s rougher-looking than I’m used to, but I appreciate that he isn’t trying too hard. I’ll take a hard-working man over a product-styled one any day.
As I continue to lock eyes with him across the room, I feel a seed of hope being planted in my bruised heart.
I swallow as I stride forward, taking the stool next to him. I smooth down my skirt and smile.
“Fancy seeing you again,” I say. That sounded so lame .
But he smiles, and it reaches his dark eyes. A real smile . “This is a nice surprise. I was kicking my own ass for not getting your number earlier.”
“Really?” I say excitedly. Calm, Emery, Calm . “Are you Mitchell?” I ask, remembering the name Alyssa gave me. I’ve already completely forgotten his last name .
“Michael Wild,” he says.
I must have heard Alyssa wrong when she said Michael and changed it to Mitchell in my mind. I’m hopeless with names.
I come out of my mind-fuck to find Michael Wild watching me, the hint of a smile still playing around his lips. His very kissable lips that I can’t stop staring at. Shit, he’s handsome. And sexy. And…
“And you are…” he prompts me.
“Sorry. Emery Walker.”
He shakes his head just slightly. “Emery,” he repeats slowly, like he’s going over the name in his mind. “I’m supposed to be meeting Emily something. Maybe I got the name wrong.”
“People mix up my name all the time. Did you get set up?” I say, lowering my voice. The whole bar doesn’t need to know our friends helped us find dates for the night.
“Yep. Although the guy had some help if I’m not mistaken.”
I smile. He must mean Alyssa. “She’s my best friend.” I extend my hand, trying not to show just how happy I am that the guy from the coffee shop, the one I haven’t been able to get out of my head, is my blind date. Damn, but I feel lucky right now. “I’m your blind date for the night.”
Michael’s square jaw relaxes, and he breaks into another sexy smile, revealing white teeth that are just imperfect enough to make me smile back. His dark hair is nicely styled in a short cut, and his fitted shirt shows off his muscular biceps and thick chest. And those eyes—they’re dark and mysterious and fathomlessly deep. I could get lost in those eyes for a night and die a very happy woman.
“Thank God,” he says. “Since you’re the only woman I actually want to talk to.”
I exhale a deep breath, nearly laughing in relief. “So let’s talk then.”