I grab the handles of our frozen beer mugs and make my way back to Ryan, who is holding a spot for us in the back of the bar. I drop the glasses onto the high pub table and slide onto the wobbly bar stool. The bar is crowded enough so no one can hear our conversation, but not so busy that we have to shout to hear each other. Ryan fiddles with the glass once it's in his hands and his eyes finally meet mine.

"First I would like to say that I'm sorry for getting so worked up back there. Was just a bit surprised is all." I take a sip of my frothy beer while continuing to look at him. He knows he has more to explain so I let him provide the details. He shakes his head again and blows out a long breath that makes his cheeks puff out. He takes a drink and then says, "I've known Essie pretty much my whole life. We grew up in a small suburb outside Nashville where everyone knew everyone. Much like Hollis." I nod as he continues, "Essie and I lived down the street from each other and are the same age. We were friends growing up and started dating off and on in high school. Even then she thought she was going to become this huge singer."

"I had heard she wanted to be a star," I say and Ryan nods, "She sure did. Well, being from a small town, lots of people marry right out of high school. Everyone was puttin' pressure on us seeing we had been childhood friends and high school sweethearts. Thing is, I was recruited to M.I.T and she wanted to move to the city to work on her music. We decided to do the long-distance thing but when it came to me moving to South Carolina, she had panicked about having to officially move. She wanted to stay in Nashville a bit longer. Well after a few months of us living apart, we each had trust issues because I could no longer tell her about what I was doing or who I was with. She was always at bars trying to book gigs and mingling with other musicians, we hardly trusted each other. Thinking I'd convince her to finally come be with me, I stupidly proposed."

"This was the girl you had told me about, the one you said couldn't handle your job," I say remembering the old conversation we had.

He nods, "That was Essie." he says with a frown. "Well, when I asked her to marry me, she said yes and I thought she'd move out to South Carolina. When she came to visit me so we could find a place together, I realized something was off. I think we had both known we weren't in love with each other anymore it was just everyone else puttin' the pressure on us- we were just going through the motions. I finally broke it off with her and I think she was relieved. We both knew she didn't want to leave Nashville." He takes a drink of his beer as I say, "Well apparently, she never became anything and took a job at her uncle's bar outside Tullahoma a few months ago. She sings there on the weekends." From Ryan's expression, I can tell this is new information to him and he says, "I didn't know she left Nashville." He purses his lips together for a moment and then continues, "Sawyer, I don't want you to think I still hold a torch for her because I don't. I fell out of love with her while I was at M.I.T. I was just a bit surprised to see her today- and with Chase of all people."

I slightly smile to him, "We have more in common than we knew. Both betrayed by people we'd never suspect."

Ryan smirks, "Ah, but I would suspect Chase. He'd go after any girl I liked, but Essie always made it clear to him that he wasn't in her sights. She was once loyal to me, especially when we were kids. She couldn't stand him" I reach out and grab his hand.

"I'm sorry Ryan. I had no idea when I met her. Chase just said y'all knew each other from Nashville. Neither of them said anything other than that, guess it makes sense as to why they wouldn't." He rubs his thumb over my hand and says, "Of all the people she could have ended up with, I would have never thought it would be him."

I nod, "From the looks of her, she could have anyone she wants." I feel a surge of jealously shoot through me knowing how beautiful Ryan's ex is. I think back to her model long legs and flowy waist-length hair and I feel my nails dig into my palm.

"Oh, I would have loved to have seen her face when you told her who you were," Ryan says with a small laugh. I smile too and reply, "She looked like she had just found out she ate a bug." Ryan laughs again and takes another drink of his beer.

"I don't think there's ever been a woman that challenged Essie. And you come and blow her out of the water." This makes me laugh.

"Ryan, you're sweet but that girl thinks she could be a star for a reason. She knows I'm no competition." He puts his beer down with his jaw dropped slightly.

"Sawyer, you cannot possibly think for one second she has anything on you," he says sternly. "You are the most naturally beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life. You have quite literally taken my breath away on several occasions and even though you think you might be a reckless country girl, you have a natural poise that she will never have. Most of the time I have no idea why you are bothering with me." I feel heat rise to my cheeks and I sit in my chair stunned. I had no idea he felt that way about me. I look away from him hoping to find my wits again and he reaches out and pulls my chin back toward him, "Can you forgive my atrocious behavior?"

I start to laugh, "Of course I can. I wouldn't have held you back if you decided to punch Chase in the face. I understand that boiling rage, trust me." He smiles to me and pulls me in for a kiss. I'm relieved to know he isn't still in love with Essie or that he cares about her at all. From what he previously told me, this had happened a couple of years ago so it's nothing I should be concerned with now. I pull away from his sweet lips when a song I like comes over the speakers. I glance behind him and notice a few dancers have gathered on the small wooden dance floor. I look back to him and ask, "Dance with me?" He finishes off his beer and allows me to pull him off the stool. I hold his hand as we press through the crowd and we find a spot on the side of the dance floor. I pull my thin flannel button-up off and tie it around my waist. I swing my hips about while seductively looking to him and he laughs as he grabs my hips to pull me into him.

"Yeah, I could watch you move like that all night," Ryan jokes and he kisses my smiling face while we sway to the slower beat of the song. I run my hands up his navy shirt and they linger at the small buttons that are partially undone at the top. The next song comes up that's a much faster beat and Ryan suddenly grabs my hand and spins me outward. I swirl back into him and he moves me around the floor with ease. We are both grinning when we catch each other's eyes and I laugh as he twirls me again. Essie is no more than a distant thought now and I'm glad Ryan didn't stay in a foul mood. Neither of us brings her up again while we continue to throw beer back and dance around the floor.

When we bust out of the double doors that lead into the tavern a few hours later, we both inhale the cool air that blankets us. We are both more than buzzed and I know we will have to wait a bit before we can get back on the road.

With my hand in his, Ryan pulls me toward the car and we drunkenly sway as we cross the parking lot. When we reach the passenger side Ryan spins me so my back rests against the window. He puts both of his hands on my face and brings my lips to his. His broad chest presses against mine and I rest my hands around his waist. His mouth tastes like beer and I breathe in his familiar cologney aftershave. His hands still cup my face but I move mine to the hem of his shirt. I trace a line along his chiseled torso that follows the top of his jeans. His hips press into me and his hands leave my face to pull the keys from his pocket. He pops the hatchback of the SUV open and we both giggle as we climb inside the back. He pushes the seats down so the entire back lays flat and he cracks the window before pulling the hatch closed.