After coming home from what was one of the oddest days of my life, I’d just wanted to kick off my heels and dive into a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, but Tyler and the guys from his work had had other plans. One of their clients had been in town, and apparently, that’d meant an evening out. He said he did that a lot.

In Nebraska, accountants were boring and mundane people, but then again, so were most of us. They crunched numbers and worked in small offices. Client meetings were held between business hours, and the only time they wouldn’t make it home for dinner was during tax season.

When I’d imagined my life with Tyler, I guessed I hadn’t fully prepared myself for the glamorous life he’d set himself up with. I was willing to make a go of it, but right now, this country girl was exhausted.

And possibly fired.

My nerves were already rattled from just thinking of it. As I rifled through the kitchen, I started to wonder if food was really such a good idea.

Better not.

“I’m going to head into work,” I announced with as much confidence as I could muster.

Placing his hands on my shoulders, Tyler leveled his dark brown eyes with mine. “Okay.” He smiled. “Good luck, and remember, he hit on you. You’re not in the wrong.”

Only able to nod as my stomach turned at the mere memory of my hand colliding with my boss’s face, I headed for the door.

“Babe, your purse,” Tyler called out.

I turned to see him holding it out in front of himself.

He was no doubt used to this party-and-work atmosphere. Waking up this morning after only two drinks, I’d felt like I’d been run over by a garbage truck. My eyes felt gritty, my face looked puffy, and my legs had protested every step between our bed and the shower, like I was taking my last.

I’d done my share of late-night study sessions in college, and yes, I’d even had a few all-nighters when I had finals, but that was then.

This was now.

“Thanks,” I said quickly.

He grabbed my arm, halting my steps. My eyes turned to meet his. I could sense his concern in his gentle expression and warm gaze.

“I’m sorry,” I finally confessed. “I’m grouchy and taking it out on you. It’s completely unfair.”

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not,” I replied, sinking into his embrace. “I’m just experiencing a bit of growing pains, I guess—in the metaphorical sense, at least.”

“I know, and I’m sorry I dragged you out after your first day at a new job. That wasn’t the best idea. I just wanted to show you off,” he apologized as his hands ran up and down my spine.