Page 38 of Forever Wild

She tries to pull away, but I hold on to her, not ready for the contact to be over. “Same.”

I finally let her go, knowing from our many conversations the past few weeks that she’s a bit of a germaphobe who most definitely wants to get the airplane off her. I really should’ve thought of that before I showed up right as she was getting home.

As she walks up the stairs, I call out, “Let me know if you need any help in there.”

I listen to her laugh in response as I flop down on the couch. The TV has just switched on when I hear a door behind me open.

“What does she need help with?”

I whip my head around, surprised to find that we aren’t alone in the house, though I don’t know why I made that assumption. “Oh, uhm,” I fumble out.

Kelsey just stares at me, a semi-bored look on her face.

“She’s just taking a quick shower before we head out for dinner,” I say.

She snickers in amusement as she sits down on the other couch. “Oh, and you thought she might need help with that, huh? Very chivalrous of you to offer.”

I clear my throat. “Just, uh, just trying to…” I trail off, noticing her almost silent laughter. “Dang. You Harper sisters sure know how to keep a guy on his toes.”

“We do appreciate a good verbal spar for sure. Plus, Bryn essentially uses this place as an Airbnb. The least I can get out of it is the opportunity to embarrass her dates every once in a while.”

I look at her, feeling the scowl pull on my face. “Dates, huh?” I hadn’t actually meant to ask it, but now I can’t take it back, mainly because I really want to know the answer.

“Oh no, I’m not having that conversation with you. Though”—she looks up the stairs toward Bryn’s room—“I will say you have absolutely nothing to worry about.”

I nod and turn my attention back to the TV. “Anything you want to watch?”

“Nah, I’m fine with whatever.”

I put on the news, unsure what else to watch with a woman who is basically a complete stranger.

“I heard you’re going to start playing in PGA events again next weekend.” She’s back to looking at me intently.

I’m somewhat surprised Bryn mentioned it to her, not that it’s a secret. My publicist made the announcement last week, and I told Bryn the night before the news broke, just so she wouldn’t be surprised. I had, instead, been the one who had been surprised by her response. She was totally unfazed, suggesting I send her the dates for the events I plan to attend, and she’ll see if she can end up in any of the same cities for work while I’m there.

It was easy. Normal. Unfortunately, with the way the Tour schedule works with the important events only being open to golfers with high enough standings, I need to get back in some tournaments to be in the top 50. If I get enough points, I will have a guaranteed spot and won’t have to spend every weekend of the year traveling. It will require a hard last few months of the year, but it’s doable. If I play like I was a year and a half ago—winning over a quarter of the tournaments I played in, and placing in the top 10 in all but one—I’ll have that guaranteed spot.

I’m not sure what Kelsey is looking for, so I stick with a simple, “I am.”

She raises an eyebrow. “You think you’re ready to be back?”

The balls on the Harper sisters. “I do. I’ve been playing really well the last few weeks.”

She nods. “That’s what I hear.”

I don’t love that Bryn appears to be passing all my news straight to her sister, but I guess I can’t blame her. Now that I’m out of my pit of despair and back to communicating with my family and friends on a regular basis, I’ve talked to both my sister and JT about Bryn.

Kelsey continues, “In small towns, nothing is a secret. Sure, at clubs like Wild Bluffs, they make sure everyone knows to keep your information out of the press and to toe the official no-comment party line, but that doesn’t ever actually translate to town gossip. The town has never been more knowledgeable about your golf game. You could say we’re all invested now.”

She must be able to see the confusion on my face, because she continues, “Bryn hasn’t been back to Wild Bluffs since you announced your return, and I would hate for her to find out something like that from town. Which she will the minute you guys get to dinner.”

Ahh. So Kelsey didn’t hear it from Bryn. I suppose it’s nice that she’s trying to help me out. “Bryn was the first person I told after confirming everything with my team.”

“Really?” she asks, raising one eyebrow. “She didn’t mention it to me.”

Luckily, I don’t have to respond, as we both turn at the sound of Bryn’s feet coming down the stairs, Jack following after her.

I stand up and take her in. She’s in light jeans with a dark gray sweater that hugs her full tits perfectly. “Damn. You look great.” I look at my watch. “And done in less than fifteen minutes. Very impressive.”

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