Her sister dangled it over her head. “What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you? You’re a twenty-two-year-old fuddy-duddy who’d rather sit in her room on a Friday night than go out dancin’. Now that is the real problem. Have I taught you nothing?”
Violet’s brows lifted so high they disappeared beneath her bangs. “Fuddy-duddy? I think it’s you who has the issue.”
Lily waved her off. “It might be the only phrase my boring little sister knows since she’s already halfway to bein’ a spinster.”
Violet scowled at her sister who stalked over to her closet.
Liliana was tall, miles of legs and curves for days. Black hair and eyes the same strange color as Violet and their mother’s. A bombshell. So gorgeous she turned heads wherever she went.
But it was the inside that truly made her shine.
Joyful and real and fun.
The one person Violet could always go to, no matter what. The one she’d looked up to her whole life. The one who’d always helped to give her courage to step out and chase down the things that would bring Violet the most joy.
Violet loved that Lily lived her life the same way.
So full of joy and anticipation.
Violet almost smiled at her from behind because when her sister got something into her head, she was a force to be reckoned with.
Violet’s closest friend.
That was until she started to dig through Violet’s closet and tugged something free. Violet sneered at the short denim skirt that landed next to her on her bed. “You are crazy if you think I’m walkin’ out of this house wearing that.”
Lily leaned up against the wall with a smug grin. “So that means you’re goin’? You know you want to,” she sang as she waltzed back across Violet’s room and stretched out her hand for Violet to take it.
Violet blew out a sigh. “Ugh. Fine. But you owe me if I have a terrible time.”
* * *
Forty minutes later, they were ready. Violet’s hair was ironed into shiny, sleek sheets that swished down her back. More makeup on her face than she ever wore, shimmering and sparkling thanks to Liliana doing her the favor. Violet had tossed the skirt right back at her and told her to put it on, while she’d pulled on a modest white sundress with tiny pink flowers and paired it with her favorite pink cowgirl boots.
Pink lip gloss to match.
So bars weren’t her thing.
But making her sister happy was, so she was giggling right along with her when they rushed out of the house to their daddy shoutin’, “You two look too pretty for your own good. Be careful. Call me if you need a ride. Or if one of those cowboys gets too friendly. Better yet, I will chaperone. You know I am the best dancer in town. I will come with you,” he called out as he fumbled toward the door behind them.
Lily giggled as she clung to Violet’s arm and dragged her down the porch steps. “Not tonight, Daddy. We’ll be good. I promise.”
They were both laughing at their poor worried father as they ran for Lily’s car, and Violet realized she was more excited than she’d thought she should be by the time they hit the road and headed for town.
Anticipation rippled through her bloodstream.
She felt it stronger by the time her sister pulled into the big dirt lot in front of the massive saloon known for the best dancing in town. Violet had only been once or twice, but she’d never been when there’d been a live band.
She could feel the energy of it when she stepped out of the car, feeling anxious and excited and alive as they headed for the double doors with their elbows linked together, laughing as they went.
They showed their IDs to the bouncer and paid the cover, and they stepped into the dimly lit bar that was packed wall to wall. The level of voices and music deafening.
A thunder that thudded to an upbeat country song that was being played over the speakers.
They started to weave through the crush, making their way to the large bar in the middle. They ordered margaritas, and when the bartender slid them across to them, they clinked their glasses together.
“To you being thankful I dragged you out of bed on a Friday night,” Lily shouted over the din with a smirk painted over her red lips.
“To maybe having a fun night with my big sister,” Violet teased.
Lily grinned. “What are you talking about? Any night spent with me is the best night.”
Violet shook her head with a laugh, and she let her attention wander over the packs of people gathered around the high-top tables, drinking and letting go of the cares of the day. Her attention drifted to the long line of pool tables on the far side, all the way to the lights flashing around the mechanical bull at the very back.
It was a madhouse.
Freedom flying.
Laughter soaring.
But what really captured her attention was the elevated stage set up to the far right of the cavernous space, a big dance floor surrounded by regular height tables on all sides of it.
Liliana nudged her on the shoulder. “Told you it was gonna be fun. Now come on, Alyssa and Brie have a table up close.”
They started in that direction when a squeal of feedback cut through the clamor, and the DJ boomed over the speaker, “Are you ready for this? It’s time to put your hands together and get your booty on the dance floor…welcome with me, the ones you’ve been waiting for—Carolina George!”
The lights flashed to darkness before they came back on to reveal four people climbing the side steps onto the elevated stage.
People shouted. Cheered. Vied to get closer.
Violet’s heart skipped in this crazy twist of excitement.
She had the urge to do the same.
To push up onto her toes so she could get a better look.
Lily took her by the hand and led her through the
