Page 14 of Careless Hope
“Yep, and smiling,” Eryn added. “Smiling’s universal. Shows you’re approachable.”
“Approachable,” I nodded, my mind racing with these seemingly simple yet uncharted tactics.
“Most importantly,” Sutton said, reaching across the cardboard boxes to squeeze my hand, “be yourself. You’re smart, kind, and absolutely stunning. Any man would be lucky to have you glance his way. You have to act like you know that. Show confidence. And fake it if you need to until you feel it.”
“Is it really that simple?” I asked, skepticism lacing my voice even as I straightened my posture, suddenly conscious of how I held myself.
“Simple to say, harder to do,” Eryn said, nodding sagely. “But you’ve got to be genuine. If you’re comfortable, they’re comfortable. And comfort leads to . . . other things.”
“Right,” I murmured, the idea of ‘other things’ painting my cheeks a shade that rivaled the boldness of the wine.
“Confidence is key,” Sutton added, tapping the rim of her glass. “You’ve accomplished so much, Caroline. You’re a brilliant doctor. Flirting is just . . . applying that confidence elsewhere.”
“Like transferring skills from suturing to seducing?” I quipped, earning some chuckles and rolled eyes.
“Something like that,” Eryn agreed, her smile encouraging. “But remember, it’s not just about snagging any date. It’s about connection, finding someone who appreciates you,quirks and all.”
“Quirks? Oh, I have plenty of those,” I said with a self-deprecating chuckle.
“Exactly!” Sutton exclaimed, her gray eyes lighting up. “Embrace them. Quirks are endearing. And let’s face it. You’re a fucking catch, Car. All the single cowboys will be wanting their shot with you once you put yourself out there.”
Cowboys. I thought back to Walker, his easygoing smile at the diner. The only man I’d actually dated was an uptight doctor. The opposite of the laidback cowboys of Whittier Falls. Same for the few men I’d tried and failed to connect with in the time after that ill-fated relationship.
“Maybe,” I conceded. Maybe it was a good thing to be in a town full of men who worked with their hands out in the sun all day. Strong men who could lift me up above their heads if they wanted. A shiver of excitement shot its way down my spine. I’d never allowed myself to think about men like this. To . . . fantasize. It seemed that I’d been missing out.
“Look, I might be new to town, but even I can tell the dating pool is a joke. You’re a catch anywhere but in Whittier, I’d say you’re more like the Queen. Every man will be vying for your affections,” Eryn said with a wink. “Now, intimacy—that’s another dance altogether. But when the time comes, you’ll find it’s less about the steps and more about the rhythm.”
“Rhythm, huh?” I echoed, considering the metaphor. “I guess it’s like learning a new procedure. It might be awkward at first, but with practice . . . ”
“Exactly! You’ll be a pro before you know it,” Sutton said, her voice full of mirth.
“Alright then,” I said, feeling a newfound determination stirring within me. “Consider me a student ready for lessons in . . . all of the above.”
“Good,” Eryn said, raising her glass in a toast. “Because we’re going to make sure you ace this class, Dr. Cressley.”
“Here’s to education,” I replied, clinking my glass against theirs, the sound crisp in the air that now thrummed with possibility.
“Nothing like a good Merlot to keep the spirits high,” Sutton said after taking a sip.
“Especially when paired with the girl gang,” Eryn chimed in, her amber eyes twinkling with warmth as she settled back into the worn couch that had become our impromptu confessional.
“Agreed,” I said, taking a sip and letting its boldness remind me of the courage I sought to find within myself. “And to think, this is just the beginning.”
“Speaking of beginnings, what do you say about a girls’ day out next week?” Sutton suggested. “We could hit up the farmer’s market, maybe grab lunch at the Riverside Café? Give you a break from the office and let you mingle with the locals a bit more.”
“Sounds perfect,” I replied, excited by the idea of integrating more into the social fabric of Whittier Falls. It was time to shed the remnants of my shy, bookish teenage self and step out into the community as Dr. Caroline, confident and approachable.
Eryn leaned forward conspiratorially. “And how about after that, we treat ourselves to a little pampering at Sunshine Acres? My treat. You can’t conquer the world—or the dating scene—without a little self-care.”
“Count me in,” I said, grateful for the generosity of their spirits and their unwavering belief in me. It wasn’t just about finding romance; it was about finding myself in this tapestry of small-town life.
And I was ready to do just that.
5
Walker
The animatedsounds of family chatter and the scent of rosemary hit me like the best kind of welcome as I swung open the door to Gray and Eryn’s place, the main house on the ranch—and the one I’d grown up in. ‘Course, it looked a lot different now.
