The Tiger Catcher. Paullina Simons

she is. Maybe what you’ve found is the Hollywood version of what you think you want. You think you’ve found day, but what you’ve really found is night.”

      “You’re wrong,” Julian said. “She is the most open, heart on sleeve girl I’ve ever met. She lives her life out loud.”

      “Yeah, okay.”

      “She’s like a female you. Are you telling me you’re not the guy I think you are?”

      Ashton didn’t answer. “She is trouble,” he said. “I can’t help it. That’s what I feel.”

      “You’re wrong.”

      “For your sake, I hope so.”

      The men fell quiet, focusing on other patrons’ conversation, on the song playing on the jukebox, “Burn it Blue.”

      “I know how you are,” Ashton said. “Quiet but ruthless. I know you won’t be talked out of anything unless you want to be talked out of it. When are you planning on popping the question?”

      “Soon. Waiting for the right time,” Julian said.

      “Oh, that’s wise.”

      “I don’t have much of it, though.”

      “Wisdom?”

      “Time.” Julian leaned in. “The Brentwood Country Club has a cancellation four weeks from Friday!”

      At first Ashton didn’t react. “Four weeks from which Friday?”

      “Don’t be like that.” Julian rocked on his seat.

      “You want to marry a girl you met five minutes ago, four weeks from this Friday?” Ashton’s stunned expression was priceless.

      “I’m not crazy, Ashton.”