Page 2 of Forever Wild

“Original. I’ve never been called a dick before.”

Despite his gruff attitude, I feel a pull to keep talking to this man. Okay, yes. By pull, I mean a purely physical attraction that is entirely due to his large frame and handsome smile now on display.

“Well, welcome to Wild Bluffs. Home of the honest.”

“Wow. What a tagline. I’m surprised they’ve managed to keep its existence a secret from the world for as long as they have.”

I laugh, my annoyance morphing into something else. He’s got a sense of humor and can at least keep up with me in a verbal sparring session.

“Oh, the town hired the same PR team that helps keep Atlantis’s location a mystery. It’s a bit pricey but clearly worth every penny.”

He chuckles, leaning casually on his golf club while we banter back and forth.

“Do you think they’d let me in on the secret?”

“Not a chance. It’s not for the likes of you.”

“Oh really? And just how is that decided?” he asks.

“Multiple rounds of interviews, an IQ test, and an intense psychological evaluation. Unfortunately, I don’t think you’re going to make the cut,” I tease.

“How will I ever recover?”

“I’d suggest therapy, which you can clearly pay for if you’re a member here, but I’m not sure it will help. If you can’t pass the test, you can’t pass the test.”

“Of course you’d go there. Whatever.” His face changes abruptly, his eyebrows pulling together into a deep crease. He swings his bag onto his shoulders, making me realize again how tall he is. I watch him stomp away, leaving me and my penis ball behind to recover from that emotional roller coaster of a conversation.

***

The back nine flies by in a flurry of stories and laughter. By the time we reach the eighteenth hole, the sun is starting to set, staining the sky with its own watercolor painting of pink and purple.

Becca leads us back toward the clubhouse, talking excitedly about her new plan to stay single for a while.

“Taking a couple months off from the dating scene will allow me to find my sshpecial sshomeone,” she slurs slightly at the end, clearly in need of some hydration and likely some food to soak up the booze from today. “You agree, don’t you, Bryn? It’s working for you, right?”

Before I can answer, Kelsey grins over at us, clearly ready for some mind ninjaing, a side effect of her days with the Marines and now at her cybersecurity firm.

“I don’t know if three years can actually be considered ‘a couple months,’ Becca.”

Becca looks at me, her warm green eyes widening at the revelation.

“You haven’t had sex in YEARS?” she practically yells.

I grab her elbow as she loses her footing and her bag starts to tip her backward.

“Jesus, Becca, could you say it a little louder? I don’t think all the old men in the locker room heard you,” I angrily whisper back.

“One”—Becca holds up her finger—“you know most of those men are not that old and would totally be doable at this point. You’re twenty-eight. Also, three years is a long, long time to go without…ya know…companionship.”

I sigh deeply, hoping she’ll get distracted if I just stay silent.

“Bryn.” She grabs my face so I have to look at her.

I spot Izzy and Kelsey over her right shoulder, waving to the rest of the birthday party already encircling the firepit but clearly planning to stay and enjoy the show.

Just great. The last thing I want is for my sisters to start thinking they need to meddle in my love life. Like I don’t get enough of that from my mom, and apparently now Becca.

“Peter was a dick,” she continues at a more reasonable volume. “It wasn’t fair that he put all the blame on you when you guys broke it off. Relationships are two-sided. He expected a lot from you he wasn’t willing to give in return.”

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