Following Maize, I squint when I see a jacked-up truck. “What’s this?”

“I’m borrowing it for the night.”

“You know how to drive that thing?”

“Well, mostly.” She laughs. “C’mon, Cowboy. Don’t you trust me?”

I help her into the driver’s side, and when I round the truck and hop into the other, she hands me a blindfold.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes!” She laughs. “It’s a surprise, so put it on.”

“Hmm…alright.”

After a bumpy ten minutes and hearing her laugh at my uncertainty, she finally parks.

“We’re here.”

“Can I take this thing off now?”

“Yep.”

I open my eyes and squint as I look around the partially wooded area. There’s a large firepit surrounded by grass and hay bales.

“Where are we?”

“It’s what I like to call the secret spot.”

Scanning the area, I notice we’re on a hill, and the ranch is in the far distance. “Okay, so what’re we doing here?”

Maize opens the door and hops out. “Follow me and find out, Cowboy.”

I do as she says, and when I turn around, I see a large white screen on a pole. Then she opens the tailgate and gestures for me to get in the back.

“Wow…” Blankets and pillows are spread out on the truck bed along with a cooler and picnic basket.

“I thought it’d be more fun to watch a movie under the stars.”

I walk toward her, tilting up her chin. “No one’s ever done anything like this for me before. I love it.” I kiss the tip of her nose.

“Good. I even picked out a really awesome movie for us to watch.”

“Is that so?” I climb into the back and help her up.

She messes with the projector while I grab some drinks and food.

We get comfortable on the blankets, and I pull Maize into my body during the previews.

“No way.” I glance at her. “How’d you know?”

“Know what?” She plays innocent.

I smirk. “No Country for Old Men is my favorite movie. Now, how’d you know that?”

“I maybe did a little internet stalking.”

“There’s no way you found that online. Who’d you talk to?”

She sighs, realizing I’m not gonna drop it. “You’re really gonna make me reveal my sources?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“It was Cooper. He gave me some great…intel about you.”

I groan with a chuckle. “Shoulda known, that bastard.”

“What’s wrong with that?” she asks.

“He likes to joke around, so I’m wondering what else he said. I’m a little concerned, to be honest.”

Maize laughs and snuggles closer. “Don’t worry.” She pats my chest and meets my eyes. “I already knew you secretly cried to Big Daddy.”

I fucking hate Cooper.