Page 44 of Promise Me Never

“What?” I do a double take, my tone laced in acid. “What do you mean?”

His eyes widen as he gestures widely with his hand. “The ranch? How did last night go with Paul being gone? I was going to offer to stay later than usual if you need more help.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. What the fuck?”

“Sorry. I’m just on edge, I guess.” I prop my foot on the slat of our round lunging pen. “Everything was fine.”

“Was she good?” He nods in the direction of the house where Eli just walked out onto the deck, coffee in hand.

Better than you’ll ever know.

“I think so.”

We have some repairs to make to the fence around the sheep’s pasture which ends up taking most of the day. At one point I hear the car that Eli’s been using for transportation driving off. She didn’t mention needing to go into town, so I pull my phone out and send her a text.

Where are you going?

Wherever I want

I drag a deep breath in through my nostrils and blow it out through my mouth.

And where is that?

Basin Beans

My coffee not good enough?

I burnt my eggs

And my toast

Do we need to add cooking to the list of things I’m teaching you this summer?

Maybe, this will be my first time on my own

Ramen and easy mac probably won’t cut it

Luckily for you I’m an excellent cook

And so modest

I bite back a grin when I notice Sam looking at me curiously.

Drive safe

Always

“Who was that?”

I give Sam my most irritated scowl. “No one.”

“Didn’t seem like no one.” He hammers a new board into place. “In fact, seemed definitely like asomeonewho could pull smiles from your grumpy ass.”

“I wasn’t smiling.” Ninety-nine percent sure of it.

He looks over at me and stands, wiping his hands on his jeans. “It’s okay to let yourself be happy.” He points at the phone still clutched in my hand. “If whoever that is makes you happy, let them.”

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