Page 30 of Chasing the Dream

She eyed him intently for a few beats. “Let’s do it!”

He smirked, and she added, “I mean, yes, I’ll go to the bar with you.”

He laughed.

“Ugh! I’ll attend the business meeting with you.”

He held up a hand, still chuckling. “I knew what you meant the first time.”

“Okay, then. Is there anything else?”

“Actually, yes. It’s a country-western bar, so you might want to dress accordingly. Oh, and there’s a dance floor, so…”

She cocked her head and eyeballed him. “I’m not dancing.”

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“Don’t you like to dance?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“What, then?”

He understood her reservation because he had it too, but he couldn’t resist goading her.

“If this is a business meeting like you said, we don’t need to be dancing.”

“But we need to get the full experience.”

She shook her head. “I’ll wear the clothes, but I’m not dancing.”

“We’ll see.”

Saturday night came quickly, and Gabe checked his appearance one more time before heading out the door. He wasn’t a big country-western fan, but he’d improvised and was wearing a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, faded jeans, and a pair of cowboy boots he’d picked up on clearance at a local souvenir store. He felt like an extra in a cheesy western, but it would have to do.

When he pulled up to Maria’s condo, he noticed her car was parked outside. Great! He’d hoped that she’d be out on a date or gone somewhere so she wouldn’t see him like this. Naturally, she was the one who opened the door when he knocked.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Garth Brooks!”

“Shut up.”

“All you’re missing is a cowboy hat, but at least Morgan has one.”

On cue, Morgan came around the corner looking like a hot country music singer, although he wouldn’t be able to name one if his life depended on it.

“Nice outfit,” she teased.

“Back at ya. Where’d you get the hat?”

“I loaned her the entire ensemble,” Maria said proudly.

“I’ve never seen you dress like that.”

She shrugged. “I once dated a guy who loved country music. It was short-lived.”

“Aren’t they all?”