CHAPTER 1
ZARA
"Holy shit,Priya, this place is absolutely gorgeous!" I spin in a circle.
My phone is already out. I’m capturing the golden hour light filtering through the massive corn stalks. The sequined stars on my cropped red tank top catch the light beautifully. I know the contrast between my designer denim shorts and the rustic fence will look incredible in photos.
"The aesthetic is pure authentic Americana meets rustic chic… but make it curvy.” I raise an eyebrow at the camera as I snap away.
My sister laughs and shakes her head. She adjusts one of the red, white, and blue bunting displays she's been fussing with all afternoon. "I'm glad you love the ranch. But I have to warn you, the party is going to be a lot more low-key than what you're used to back home."
"Low-key is exactly what I need right now.” I snap a few shots of the string lights dangling from the flag pole. I’m already planning my Instagram story. “But also, will there be Highland cows? Because I am going to die if I see a freaking Highland cow. Their squishy faces, are you kidding me?"
“There are cows,” Priya rolls her eyes. “They are way out in the back forty of the property. I’ll take you down there later. I want to get everything set for tonight first.”
“Taking me to see the cows is the least you can do after abandoning me with Mom and Dad to live out your farm-girl fantasies,” I laugh.
Ever since my sister decided to make it official with Bowen Kingridge, I’ve been working overtime. Someone has to be the face of the family business. And when the family business happens to be owning the Southern Knights professional football team, that means a whole lot of smiling in pictures.
“How’s that going by the way?” Priya leaves the bunting alone and narrows in on a wayward balloon arch.
“Oh, you know, I’ve had three months of non-stop stadium events and VIP boxes. I'm more than ready for some real small-town charm. Plus, my red, white, and blue striped headband perfectly coordinates with my outfit, and that’s a win. Every piece was carefully chosen for maximum patriotic impact and Instagram engagement because even when I’m not working… I’m working.”
The Southern Knights' season has been a whirlwind of photo shoots, press events, and corporate sponsors. Most want the team owner's daughter front and center. I'm grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, and my two million followers aren't exactly complaining about the behind-the-scenes NFL content.
But sometimes I feel more like a walking brand than an actual person at this point. It gets old. Being out here is so quiet, and I already love it. I feel like I can actually breathe.
"Just promise me you'll take it easy on the locals," Priya says with a knowing smirk. "Especially the Kingridge brothers. They're not used to someone with your... vibes."
"My vibes?" I feign offense, but I'm grinning. "I'll have you know I'm perfectly capable of toning it down."
"Uh-huh. Sure, you are." She points toward the barn where several figures are setting up a makeshift stage. "See the tall one in the black cowboy hat? That's Holden. He’s the only single one left. But I don’t think he’s the type you normally date."
I follow her gaze and immediately understand what she means. Even from this distance, Holden Kingridge is... substantial. He’s nothing like the skinnier-than-me, nerdy types I’ve dated in the city.
I kick my shoes off and climb onto a bale of hay to get a better look, ignoring Priya’s look. From what I can tell, the man is stunning. His broad shoulders strain against his worn flannel shirt. There’s an easy confidence in the way he moves. When he tips his hat back to wipe his forehead, I catch a glimpse of a strong jawline.
"Wow, I don’t know how you get any work done with dudes like that just walking around.”
"Zara, keep it in your pants, please. Of all of them, Holden is sweet… deep down. He’s the quiet and serious type until he gets angry. But that’s beside the point. He needs a nice country girl to slip into his life here. Not an influencer to blow it up.”
I climb down and open my eyes as wide as possible. "What? I'm not looking for anything. I'm just here to spend time with my sister and experience an authentic small-town Fourth of July.” But even as I say the words, I can't seem to stop watching the way Holden's muscles flex as he hefts what looks like a very heavy speaker. “Besides, I might be a country girl deep down. I haven’t been here long enough to know yet.”
When I slip my red, strappy shoes back on, the heels immediately sink into the slightly soft red clay ground. Clearly they weren’t the most practical choice for ranch terrain. Butthey make my legs look amazing and tie the whole patriotic look together.
I continue, "My point stands." I lift my phone again, this time angling for a shot that definitely includes Holden in the background. "Besides, I'm a professional. I can appreciate good subject matter when I see it. Having him in the background creates compositional balance.”
Before Priya can respond with another eye roll, my subject matter starts heading our way, and my heart rate ticks up. Holden approaches us with a calm, confident swagger. He’s flanked by two other traffic stoppingly hot cowboys.What’s in the water on this ranch?
"Ladies, I hate to interrupt, but we might need to start moving the party indoors soon.” Hot Man One turns to me and tips his hat like a real old-timey cowboy. “I’m Alexander Kingridge.”
“I’m Zara.” I hold out my hand to shake his.
But before he can take it, Holden steps in front of him. “And I’m Holden Kingridge, glad you made it out.”
Heat ripples up and down my arms, radiating from where our palms touch. For just a moment, the whole world quiets around us. I know I should say something.Anything. It’s not like me to get tongue-tied. But my mind is blank and my heart is racing. When I finally open my mouth, “Fireworks indoors?” That's all I can get out.
“What?” Priya laughs.
