Meant to Marry Me: Nashville Country Dreams Part 1

Bree hadn't meant to follow Trent outside--not exactly anyway. She'd seen him leave but hadn't realized he'd stepped outside for a breath of fresh air in the same place she had until after she was halfway out the door. It would be strange to walk away from him. It seemed strange to walk toward him, too, though. But her feet were headed in that direction before she had a chance to stop them.

The night was chilly, which was to be expected in the mountains in December; she wished she’d thought to grab her coat. It wasn't snowing, but the wind was stirring up ice crystals from the ground. The stars twinkling in the heavens were spectacular. This was exactly what she'd been looking for when she came out here. Peace, quiet, beauty, and a wonderful man. She had just hoped somehow that's what Jason would end up being. The better she got to know him, the more she thought that wasn't likely the case.

"Hey," Trent said, glancing at her and then back out at the landscape. "You had enough pool for one night?"

"Enough reminiscing for a while, I guess." She could feel the effects of the alcohol. She'd drank a little too fast on an empty stomach. Hopefully, it wouldn't lead them to a place of no return. "How have you been?"

"Okay." He shrugged. "Trying to focus on school as much as I can."

"Hence no girlfriend at the moment?" She smiled at him, hoping it came across as teasing and not inquiry, though she really did want to know. It seemed like every time she was single, he was dating, and vice versa.

"Not at the moment," he replied. "Jason seems like a… guy."

Bree laughed, nudging him gently in the arm. "He is a guy."

"Sorry--I couldn't bring myself to say anything better. ‘Great’ just wasn't going to work in that sentence."

Shrugging, she said, "You've just got to get to know him. He really does have some great qualities."

"Like what?"

like he genuinely wanted to know. "Well, he's really good at math--just like you. He may

work with him someday, and he can help me to better

her head. "He

required for a

that story?" She turned to look at

the guy who went and got your guitar you should've

guess he really rubbed you the wrong way, huh?" Bree turned back

a loud sigh. "I'm sorry. It's

her interested. "Like

you know…." His eyes were wide, but

"What? Lose my ability to

chuckle. "No. He just said that you haven't… that he expects

Now it was Bree who was speechless. It

said lots

over at the pool table with her friends, and the boyfriends of her friends, talking about

are you okay? Your face is turning red, and

I'm fine. I'm just great." She pressed a hand to

I probably shouldn't have said anything. It's just… it made me mad to hear him talk about you like

comment that had prompted Trent to leave the