“Sorry, ladies. I’m at lunch with my girlfriend right now. If you’re looking for an autograph, I’m helping the high school run a conditioning camp over the weekend. I’ll hang around for an hour or so to sign things for the kids.”

Without listening to a single word they spoke, he brushed past them with me in tow and slid us into the sandwich shop. I was thankful the women didn’t follow us inside.

“I didn’t know you were doing a camp this weekend. That sounds fun.”

“Coach Rudicell asked. I remember learning a lot at those camps. You should come. Be my own personal cheerleader.”

Barking out a laugh, I replied, “You and I both know that I was never a cheerleader, nor do I have the hand-eye coordination for baseball. But I am sure you’ll have a great time.”

“I’ll get a bat in your hands one day.”

“Only if I get to chase you with it,” I said and smiled while pursing my lips. Something about Owen brought out a saucier side of me I never knew existed.

“We’re going to the movies tonight, by the way. The theater is showing one of my favorite movies as a kid.”

“Yeah? And what’s that?”

Smiling down at me as the shop worker handed over five bags filled with sandwiches, he replied, “Angels in the Outfield.”

“Of course they are. You’re like a hero to the people of Ashfield. I am 100-percent certain they chose that movie with you in mind.”

“Don’t care. We’re going to see it.” Leaning down as we exited through the back door to avoid the crowd out front, Owen added, “And maybe if you’re a good girl, we can make out in the back row.”

***

I was lying to myself by saying my cheeks were red from the sunburn I received from working on the farm, but I knew it was from listening to Owen’s promises running through my head over and over.

Even as I tried on my third outfit of the night, I couldn’t shake the natural blush that flushed even brighter when I thought about sitting in the movie theater with Owen.

With a glance at the clock on my nightstand, I knew he would arrive at any moment. Sighing a heavy, desperate breath, I yanked a black spaghetti strap dress from my closet and tugged it over my strapless bra and lace panties. They didn’t match, but none of my undergarments were a set, so I was working with what I had. I only owned anything lace because Jenna insisted I buy them the last time she and I went to the big city.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror hanging from my closet door, I pulled at the hem of the dress. I didn’t remember it being that short. So much of my legs was exposed. My normal attire of cut-off denim and tank tops beckoned me from the dresser drawers, while my cowboy boots taunted me from their spot by my front door. The semi-dressy sandals I owned were waiting to be slipped on, just as my doorbell rang.

Rushing down the steps, I nearly slid on the rug covering my hardwood floors. Thankfully, I caught the corner of the wall with my hand and propelled myself forward.

My hair laid like a curtain over my face, and I was busy brushing it away as Owen opened the door and stepped inside.

“Everything okay? I thought I heard some slamming.”

“Yeah, sorry. Slipped on the rug.” I pushed my hair back one final time and glanced up at Owen, but my eyes only made it to his hand holding a bag from one of the boutiques in town. “What’s that?”

“Something I picked up for you this morning.”

“Before lunch?” I asked, almost scared something was going to pop out of the bag.

“Yep.” Owen smirked in the way that could either be described as sexy or mischievous. Neither appealed to me at the moment. “Do you want to see what it is?”

“No. Not really.”

He laughed, one of those deep belly laughs you felt down to your soul. I couldn’t help but join in.

“Come on. Don’t you trust me?”

“That’s a loaded question, Owen.”

“Fine. I’ll take it back.”

Reaching out, I snatched the white bag out of his grip. “Never.” When I felt inside, I held my breath, secretly praying my hand would not come in contact with a bug or something else equally as gross. Instead, I was surprised to feel the softest of materials.

Lifting the fabric in one hand and dropping the bag to the floor with my other, I was stunned to find a lovely silk dress. The color was the most beautiful shade of purple, between eggplant and maroon. I couldn’t decide, as the light from the setting sun hit it in different areas.

“Owen, this is gorgeous. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Did you pick this out yourself?” I asked, inspecting the dress closer. The sleeves would hang off my shoulders, and the hem would hit just above my knees.

“I did.”

The tag hung loosely around the underside of the sleeve, and I tried my best to ignore it, but the triple zeroes immediately caught my eye. The silk was the nicest I’d ever felt, but I wasn’t sure I would be willing to pay a couple thousand dollars for it. I’d stepped into Nicole’s Boutique in town, and she sold all sorts of items. Some bargain and some high-end. She catered to everyone. It was why her store was a success. But I’d never looked at the racks with the designer labels. Not because I didn’t have the money for them, but because working on the farm didn’t necessitate that sort of clothing.

“I want to argue about you spending this much money on me, but I’m not going to,” I explained as I hugged the dress against my body.

“Really? I expected a full-blown shitstorm to be honest.”

“I can give you one, if you’d like, but I’d rather just thank you again. I’ve never had something this nice before.” Stepping toward him, I stood on my toes, my lips barely reaching his jawline, and I left a lingering kiss. “I’m going to wear this tonight. I’ll be right back.”

I hurried up the stairs, whipped my black dress off my body, and replaced it with the purple garment. Standing in front of the mirror, I twisted back and forth, admiring the way it set on my body. The silk dress looked like it had been made for me.

I considered pulling my hair up into a twist but instead left my hair in long, loose waves. Trudging through my closet, I reached for a pair of black-and-tan espadrilles that were a gift from Jenna I’d never worn. Slipping them on my feet, I walked back and forth in the wedges to make sure I would not topple over, then made my way back down the stairs.

I felt like Lainey Boggs from She’s All That walking down the steps, and Owen was my own Freddie Prinze Jr. In my head, “Kiss Me” was playing on repeat.

“Wow,” Owen breathed. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.” Just then, my stomach chose that moment to chime into the conversation. “Sorry. I haven’t eaten yet.”

“That’s okay. I thought we could stop by Angelo’s then hit the 9:00 p.m. movie.”

Internally, I counted the hours of sleep I’d get if I got home by midnight. Wake-up was usually at four or five. Normal Aspen would have complained. Normal Aspen would have asked to skip dinner and head to the movie early. Non-social Aspen would have suggested skipping it all together.

But the new Aspen who was trying to live her life smiled at her fake date and grabbed his outstretched hand as he guided her from her house. New Aspen ordered a glass of wine with her baked ziti. And the new Aspen chose a seat in the back row of the movie theater, where she and her fake boyfriend could make out through the entire movie.

At one point, we even knocked the tub of popcorn to the floor.

The old Aspen really liked this new Aspen, regardless of the fact that things would likely go back to the way they were when Owen left.

But this Aspen was going to live for the moment, no matter how few hours of sleep I was going to get. And when Owen asked if I wanted to go back to his place for a bit after the movie, I immediately accepted.