Page 68 of Secret Love

Jacklyn asks if I'm okay, and I smile and nod. “I’m just tired. I didn't sleep much last night. Sorry if I'm acting like a downer.”

“No,” she tsks. “You're fine. Just not your usual smiley self.”

“I’ll be okay. I'm going to get some rest this weekend.”

“Sounds good.”

After we say bye, I’m still not ready to go home. So Earl and I wander through town, him happy hanging out in my hood. He’salmost getting too big to do that now, but not quite, although he is peeking out way more than he did in the beginning.

“Do you think you’d like walking on a leash?” I ask him as we pass one cute dog after the other. Silver Hills seems to be the dog mecca. I've seen every kind of cute dog imaginable here and it makes me wish I had one. Although Earl is doing plenty to keep me busy.

I pass the cute bookstore, Twinkle Tales, and decide to go in, making sure to tuck Earl lower into my hood. I'm startled when something rubs against my leg and look down to see a massive orange tabby.

“Why, hello,” I say, looking down. “Aren’t you beautiful and huge!”

A girl laughs as she looks down at me from a ladder. She’s beautiful with mahogany skin and natural curls held back with a colorful bandana.

“I hope you’re okay with cats. That's Hank. He’s got a loud bark, but he’s friendly.”

“Ooo, a cat that barks. I’m intrigued. I hope it's okay I brought this guy.” I turn and show her my hood, and Earl’s head pops out. “This is Earl. I have a hard time leaving him at home.”

“Oh my goodness,” she croons, lowering herself off of the ladder. Now I can see that she’s probably more my age than I’d originally thought. “What a cutie. I haven't seen him yet. I haven't seen you yet either. Who are you?”

I laugh. “I’m Tru. I just moved into town not too long ago and I'm loving it. I actually came into your shop once with my mom when we were driving through and have wanted to come back ever since I moved here.”

“I’m really glad to hear that. You would’ve met my aunt probably, when you visited before. I just recently took over the shop.” She makes a face. “It still feels weird to say that.” She liftsher hands. “She insists I call it my shop, but I think it’ll always be my aunt’s in my head.”

I nod, grinning. “I get that.”

“I’m Calista, by the way. Oh! Hey!” She brightens up even more when another gorgeous girl walks into the shop. Her cheeks are flushed from the wind and her dark hair is in a high pony but still looks long over her shoulder. “And this is my bestie, Elle.” She gets a sly look on her face. “Maybe you can take the place of being my other bestie since I’m always sharing this one with Rhodes Archer.” She rolls her eyes, but sings Rhodes’ name, and I laugh when Elle groans and rolls her eyes back just as dramatically.

“Oh, I’ve met Rhodes!” I say brightly, and the two of them look at me with interest.

Elle nods at me knowingly. “You do look like his type.”

“Oh, no. I’m not. We don’t. I-uh, no.” I put my hand to my face and laugh awkwardly. “I met him at Sadie and Weston’s house.”

“Aren’t they great?” Elle says. “But I assure you, youareRhodes’ type.”

“Isn’t everyone?” Calista snorts. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it,” she adds when Elle glares at her.

“I’m not…Rhodes’ type. Well, I mean, I don’t think…he didn’t act…I like one of his friends,” I spit out. And then I cover my face in horror. “Oh, God. This is why I need to always be on the move. Apparently, I don’t know how to keep my mouth shut.”

I feel a hand on my shoulder and lower my hands to look at them. Both girls stand there smiling at me, barely able to contain their delight.

Calista’s hand drops. “Tell us everything. I’m dying to know which friend you’re talking about…”

The door opens and Sadie walks in. My cheeks flame and I fan them as I try to act casual but friendly.

“It’s a party,” Calista sings. “Hi, Sadie. Where’s Caleb?”

“Hi!” Sadie says. “Ahhh, you met Tru. Don’t you love her?”

Calista and Elle both sayyesat the same time and my insides flood with warmth. Sadie hugs all of us and then leans on the counter next to me.

“Weston took him swimming at Bowie’s. He has the indoor pool.”

Calista and Elle both turn to look at me, trying to gauge my reaction and I laugh, shaking my head.

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