Page 50 of The Last Goodbye

Easy. Fun even.

At a knock on my door, I peeked through the peephole and laughed when I saw Tatum and Gracie on my front porch. I pulled the door open. “Weren’t we supposed to meet at the Four Clovers?”

“We thought you might chicken out of line dancing if we let you walk there by yourself.” Tatum stepped inside. It was the first time either of them had been over to my place, but I’d mentioned where the rental house was on the lake.

“You look amazing,” Gracie said as she took me in.

“Really? Is this okay?” I asked. “You guys look gorgeous.”

Gracie wore a short white flowy dress and some black cowboy boots, while Tatum wore white shorts, white cowboy boots, and a fitted black tank top.

“Seriously, you look hot.” Tatum winked at me before glancing around. “This place is so cute. And we all live so close to one another. This is going to be the best summer.”

“Well, this may be a one and done with line dancing. I should warn you, I have no rhythm.”

“You’ll be fine. Don’t you run like four miles a day?” Gracie gaped at me.

“Every day? I mean, that’s a commitment. And it explains those gorgeous legs of yours.” Tatum walked toward the door after I grabbed my cross-body purse and pulled it over my head and shoulder.

I chuckled. “You don’t have to have rhythm to be a runner.”

We chatted and laughed all the way through downtown and over to the container park. The place was going off—we could hear the music bellowing from the speakers from a block away. Strands of lights across the top of the grassy area cast a warm glow over the park, the sound of boots stomping on the dance floor blending with the sweet sound of country music. I’d clearly never been out here at night.

In a matter of twenty minutes, we’d already had a beer and made our way to the dance floor. Gracie and Tatum walked me through the steps, and I was surprised at how quickly I’d caught on. How much I was enjoying myself, just out here dancing and laughing and having a good time. We stayed out there for several songs, caught up in the fun, until eventually we were all laughing too hard and in need of another drink.

“Let’s go find Cutler.” Gracie took my hand and led me forward, with Tatum grasping my shoulder from behind me as we moved through the crowd.

“Hey, fiancé,” she said to Cutler. He sat on a stool at a high-top table with two other guys, and Gracie stepped between his legs. I recognized one of them from that first day I was here. We’d passed him when we were leaving, but I didn’t catch his name at the time.

Cutler wrapped his arms around Gracie and tugged her close. The move was so sweet and so intimate that I couldn’t help but smile. They were adorable together.

“Hey, Briar, nice to see you,” Cutler said. We’d met twice at the restaurant, and he’d impressed me with how much he’d already gotten booked.

“The infamous Briar Sinclair,” the guy I’d seen here before said. He winked at me as he tipped his cowboy hat down the slightest bit.

“I don’t think we’ve officially met,” I said, giving him a questioning look. He’d clearly heard about me from someone. And I was fairly certain I knew who it was.

“You’re working with Bass on the new restaurant, right?” he asked before reaching his hand out to me. “I’m Cannon. Nice to meet you.”

I shook his hand. “Yes. We officially start the renovation on Monday.”

“Nix, you’re being rude.” Tatum scowled at the other man sitting beside Cannon.

“How am I being rude, Tate?” He shrugged.

“You didn’t introduce yourself,” she said with a big smile on her face. They were obviously close.

“Am I supposed to introduce myself to anyone I don’t know?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hi, I’m Briar.” I offered my hand, and he shook it.

“I’m Phoenix.”

“I’ve got to agree with Tater Tot. You’re definitely rude.” Cannon laughed before turning his head and shouting toward the bar, “Brody, can we get some shots over here?”

Brody walked over with a tray full of tequila shots, which he set down on the table.

I’d quickly learned that Brody and Phoenix were brothers, and they’d grown up next door to Tatum. Gracie and Cutler were childhood best friends who were now engaged. Cannon was getting ready for the world championships; he was apparently one of the best bull riders in the world.