Chapter 33
Miles
It’s Saturday, the day of the annual Fun Fair, and I’m here ready to make money for a good cause and unfortunately dance.
“You got your dancing cowboy boots ready, Sanchez?” Mya teases.
I glance at her, shaking my head as I cross my arms. She’s clearly not here to join in the fun of Bluebell Hollow’s down-home charm. Mya’s dressed in a navy pencil skirt that hits just at her knees, a crisp white shirt tucked in with the sleeves rolled up, and her signature heels.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her in anything less than a four-inch heel, not even once.
I smirk, raising an eyebrow. “You’re going to love this, aren’t you?”
She nods with that confident smirk of hers. “You’re a good man, Miles,” she says, walking off toward the bar, no doubt planning to get herself a margarita, only to realize she’s getting a beer.
I tip my hat to a couple of the town folks as they pass, exchanging nods as they take their seats. The place is buzzing with the typical excitement that comes with a fair, and I can feel the energy building in the air.
The venue itself feels like Bluebell Hollow, perfectly blending the rustic charm of our town with just enough of a modern twist to make it feel like a real celebration.
The dance is set in what used to be an old barn, turned into a vibrant dance hall for events just like this.
The wooden floors creak underfoot, echoing with the footsteps of people excited to get dancing.
There’s a stage at the far end where singers will perform, adding their voices to the atmosphere.
To the left, there’s a bar serving up drinks, and tables are scattered around, giving people the option to sit and watch or get up and move.
And of course, no dance event would be complete without a disco ball spinning from the ceiling, catching the light and throwing tiny reflections across the room.
I take in the sight of the place, the familiar warmth of it all settling in. This is what Bluebell Hollow is about: community, music, small businesses and people coming together to have a good time. As much as I hate the gossip in this town, it’s a great community.
However, we do get the rats showing up every once in a while, like Noah Montero.
“Miles, how you doing?” he says, holding out his hand, that cocky grin on his face like he thinks I’m going to be impressed by his fucking charm.
I stare at it for a second, just to let him feel that tension. Now he wants to shake hands? After everything? Dick.
But I’m not here to cause a scene, so I do the polite thing—well, the least amount of politeness I can muster without it looking obvious that I want to smack the shit out of him.
I shake his hand, the grip firm but fake. “Noah.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Mya behind him, moving toward us with that serious no-nonsense look she wears when she’s getting ready to put someone in their place.
She points a finger at Noah, her voice low but sharp. “You better not cause trouble.”
Noah laughs, all smug and arrogant. “Why’s that, pretty princess?” He leans in like he’s trying to make it personal, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I scoff, but keep my focus on the main entrance, ignoring him, waiting for Vivian to arrive with her family. This whole scene with Noah is a goddamn distraction I don’t need right now.
Mya makes a disgusted noise, rolling her eyes as she walks off. “Get over yourself, Noah,” she says, the words like a final jab before she moves on, leaving him standing there with his pride and his ego.
Noah turns to her retreating figure, his eyes narrowing as he watches her leave, like he’s calculating something in that twisted brain of his.
“Watch it,” I warn him, my voice low and serious. I can feel the heat of my words land between us.
He puts his hands up, mock surrendering, then starts walking away, tipping his hat like he’s the fucking king of this town. “See you in the arena, Sanchez,” he calls back, the words dripping with that cocky undertone.
Again, dick.
I roll my shoulders, shaking it off. He’s not worth the fucking energy.
My eyes lock on the entrance again, where I spot Vivian walking in, holding Riley’s hand.
Eric and Mindy are beside them, and my chest fucking tightens.
Seeing them walk in together feels like a weightlifting.
I smile to myself as I make my way toward them, the nerves fading, the warmth of knowing they’re here settling in.
“Hey, you made it,” I say, my voice low and sincere, a smile tugging at my lips as I walk toward them.
Vivian meets my eyes, and for a split second it feels like everything else fades away.
She looks incredible, as always, her energy grounding me in a way that nothing else can.
Vivian stands out—even in a crowd. Today, she’s wearing a white sundress that slightly puffs out at the bottom, the soft fabric catching the light as she moves.
It’s simple but perfect for the fun fair, easy and carefree, just like her.
The dress ends just above her knees, showing off her sun-kissed legs, and she’s paired it with a thick brown leather belt, giving the whole look a rustic charm.
Her brown cowboy boots complete the outfit, worn-in but still looking perfectly polished.
Her hair is curled loosely, the strands tumbling around her shoulders, framing her face with effortless beauty.
And there’s Riley beside her, looking absolutely adorable in her own little cowgirl getup.
She’s wearing a pink dress that flows with her every movement, paired with a brown cowboy hat that sits just perfectly atop her head, making her look like she stepped right out of a western-themed fairy tale.
Her brown cowboy boots are a miniature version of Vivian’s, and she has on a denim jacket that’s slightly oversized but still fits her perfectly.
She’s bouncing on her toes, her excitement contagious, her eyes wide with anticipation as she looks around at the Fun Fair.
I watch them both, my heart warming. I’m relieved to see them, relieved that they’re here with her family.
“Of course! We wouldn’t miss it,” Vivian says, her voice full of that playful tone that never fails to bring a smile to my face. She squeezes Riley’s hand, her smile wide as she looks down at her daughter, who’s hopping around like a bundle of energy.
I lean in slightly, my voice quieter now, just for her. “I’m glad you’re here.” The words come out without thinking, a small piece of honesty slipping through, and in that moment, the weight of everything else feels just a little lighter. The night suddenly feels a little brighter too.
“Mr. Donovan, nice to see you again,” I say, extending my hand to Vivian’s dad.
He doesn’t just shake my hand, he pulls me into a quick, friendly hug, like we’ve known each other longer than a few casual run-ins.
“Good to see you too, Miles, but please call me Eric.” He chuckles, pulling back and sizing me up with a warm smile. “Didn’t picture you as the dancing type,” he adds with a laugh that immediately puts me at ease.
I laugh along. “Yeah, well, turns out I’m full of surprises,” I say, smirking a little. I give him a playful shrug, not about to admit how out of my element I feel. “Doing it for charity, right?” I add, trying to deflect with a light-hearted tone.
Eric raises an eyebrow, the playful glint in his eyes making me wonder if he’s already seen through me. “Right,” he says, a knowing smile on his lips. “I’m sure Vivian’s a great motivator.”
I can’t help but glance at her then. Vivian, standing there talking to Riley and Mindy, her smile so effortlessly genuine that it almost feels like the whole room lights up.
The moment feels heavier, more real, and I can’t shake the feeling that Eric is watching me, silently evaluating how I’m handling this… them.
“Yeah, she’s got a way of making things seem…a little easier,” I admit, not sure if I’m talking about dancing or the way she’s wormed her way under my skin.
Eric looks at me for a long second, then lets out a soft chuckle.
“I’m sure she does.” There’s something in the way he says it—part amusement, part something deeper—that makes me pause.
It’s like he sees through the surface, through the jokes, to the part of me that’s trying to figure out how to navigate this whole Vivian thing.
I hear a loud burst of laughter from Riley, and Eric’s attention shifts back to her.
“Ah, there she is,” he says, his voice full of warmth. He steps back and pats me on the shoulder, a small but genuine gesture of camaraderie. “You’re good for her, Miles. She’s been through a lot, but I see the way she lights up when you’re around.”
His tone is casual, but the underlying warning is clear. It’s protective, like any father would be for his daughter. It’s a lot for me to process all at once, but I nod, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest.
Before I can respond, Eric claps me on the back with a soft smile, then turns toward the dance floor, his attention shifting as the music picks up again. I stand there for a moment, letting his words sink in.
As I turn back to where Vivian is standing, my eyes linger on her for just a moment too long. She looks perfect tonight. And I’m not sure how I’m going to get through this dance without making a damn fool of myself.
I spot Greg, John, and Maria walking in, and it hits me how long it’s been since I’ve seen them.
Before I can stop myself, I’m moving toward them, the smile already spreading across my face.
As soon as Maria sees me, she doesn’t hesitate, her arms are open and I step into them without a second thought.
“Miles,” she says, her voice warm and familiar as she pulls me into a tight hug. “I’ve missed you so much.” She holds my face in her hands, her touch motherly, comforting.