Sophia didn't need to be told twice.

She sprinted through the dirt, cursing as her heels sank into the dirt. This stupid ground was like quicksand. Who designed this stuff? She dodged a stable-hand carrying a saddle, as well as a rider wielding a lasso. Probably warming up for the steer roping.

God, Sophia actually knew what that was now.

Maybe she had changed.

She caught sight of Finn just as he was clambering up the metal bars. One foot was already swung over the chute. He was speaking casually with a stablehand, ignoring the horse as it reared up, slamming its body against the metal bars.

"Finn!" she called.

He jerked around, nearly toppling off the bars. "Sophia?"

"Hi." She came to a stop, panting slightly. "Can we talk for a second?"

"I'm about to go on."

"I know," she said.

Finn stared at her. "You have the worst timing ever, you know that?"

"I quit my job," Sophia blurted. "You were right; I hated being an influencer. I want to work with Gemma on Blush Wines. I want to create things." She gripped the bars. "And I broke things off with Kit, too. I never loved him."

His face grew wary. "Sophia..."

"And I showed up at the party," Sophia continued, her throat tightening. "I was going to sing some stupid country song by Luke Bryan, because I know you like it, even though it sounds like someone being murdered by a fiddle. Because I love you, Finn." Her voice broke. "I'm in love with you. And I want you back. If you'll have me, that is."

Even Finn's horse was staring at her now. Sophia's chest was pumping up and down. She felt dizzy and elated all at once, like she had just soldiered her way through a field full of mud during an Iron Man. Her whole body was trembling.

She had told him.

Finally.

"Sophia..." Finn shook his head. "I—"

"Hoag!" Dustin came sprinting towards the chute. "What the hell are you doing? Get on the damn horse. You're about to go on."

"But I—"

"Now!" Dustin barked.

Finn shot her a helpless look as he swung on to the horse. Their eyes connected — just for a moment — and then the metal chute sprang open, spewing Finn into the arena. Something must have been off about his entrance because Dustin groaned.

"It must be the broken ribs," Dustin said. "It's throwing him off."

"Maybe," Sophia said.

"What else could it be?"

"I told him I loved him," Sophia said miserably. "So, there's that."

"Ah," Dustin said. "Shit."

"Yeah."

They both watched as Finn rocketed around the arena. Even with her minimal knowledge, Sophia could tell that this horse was harder than usual; the animal twisted and thrashed with a vengeance, all four hooves leaving the ground at once.

"Hang on," Dustin said, leaning forward. "He's doing really well, actually."

"He is?"

"Better than well." Dustin was grinning. "Holy shit, the kid is on fire!"

Sophia couldn't help it; she ignored Dustin's protests, clambering up the metal bars. Her heels felt unsteady, but she clung on to the grate, desperate for an unobstructed view of Finn. Dustin was right; he was doing well. His posture, his free arm, his face — everything was relaxed. Steady. As if he was politely sitting in a waiting room.

She glanced at the buzzer. Three seconds.

The crowd started to murmur excitedly.

Two.

Finn's face split into a grin.

One.

The buzzer went, and the crowd lost their minds. People jumped to their feet, waving plastic cups filled with beer. Even Dustin was whooping, doing a little dance on the dirt.

"That's a ninety-five," he crowed. "Easily."

"Is that good?"

"That's freaking fantastic," Dustin said.

Sophia grinned. She twisted around, expecting to see Finn sliding on to the back of another horse, but he had leaped off the bucking bronco. Apparently oblivious to the animal's murderous expression, he sprinted across the dirt.

Dustin groaned. "What the hell is he doing? He'll get himself killed!"

Finn, however, didn't seem to care.

Sophia was still grinning like an idiot as he shot up the metal bars. Finn's blond hair was matted with sweat, and there was dirt on his cheek, but he had never looked more beautiful to her. He reached out to cup her face.

"Hi," she said.

"Oh, hi," Finn said. "Toronto?"

"Yes?"

"Did you buy me pajamas?"

Sophia flushed. "Yes. Yeah. I did."

"I love them." Finn grinned. "Oh, and I'm in love with you, too."

He leaned in to kiss her. Sophia was dimly aware of the crowd cheering, but the noise felt far away. All she could process was Finn's warm hands, and the smell of pine, and the fact that he still tasted like strawberry tarts from this morning.

She made a noise of protest as he pulled back, and Finn grinned.

"Do you want to go on a date?" he asked.

"A real one?"

"No contracts," Finn murmured. "No cameras. Just you, and me, and maybe a bottle of wine out on the porch." He paused. "Or two. Depends on how we're feeling."

Sophia smiled. "Sounds like a plan."