Page 55 of Honey Bee Hearts

I blow out a puff of air. This isn’t good. This isn’t good at all.

I frown at the single perfect apple sitting on the table, wondering when someone had come in and put it there.

“Who keeps bringing all this food, Jethro?” I ask, but then I shake my head. It doesn’t matter. It’s just an apple.

Chapter 30

Fable

Saturday comes so fast, it almost sneaks up on me. Gunnar had asked me on this date a week ago and now it’s finally here. He’s had time to finish all his work and now I’m standing in my room, trying to frantically think of something to wear and also working myself into a panic attack about the situation I’m in.

“They have to be fucking with me,” I say out loud. “They have to be.”

“Just accept you’re a bad ass bitch,” Jinx declares. “Of course three sexy cowboys want you.”

“But why?” I growl, answering her despite knowing she’s not real. Jinx has become sort of my conscious through all of this. “It has to be some sort of sick game to them?”

“So what if it is?” Jinx asks, lounging back on the bed. “Fuck ‘em. Leave with good stories.”

“I shouldn’t,” I groan.

She sits up on the bed. “This trip is about you,” she says. “It always was. If you don’t fuck at least two cowboys, I’ll consider it a bad trip.”

A knock on the door interrupts the conversation I’m clearly having with myself. When I look at the door and then look back at the bed, Jinx is gone, leaving me to realize I’ve been standing here talking to a ghost. I sigh and move over to the door. When I open it, I’m surprised to find Callie standing on the other side.

“I brought you a banana nut muffin,” she says, holding it up. “Mel said it’s good bribery.”

I laugh and open the door wider. “Come on in, Callie. I’ve been waiting for you to come check things out.”

She steps inside, her eyes wide at the piles of fabrics and my little sewing corner I’ve carved out in the room. “Is that a sheriff outfit?” she asks. “And what is that one?”

“It is,” I nod. I’ve been working on one that’ll fuck with Colt because I apparently like to flirt with danger. “And that one is gonna be a space cowgirl.”

“I love it!” Callie exclaims.

“It’s good you came,” I tell her, digging around in my pile. “I finished the jacket for you, too.”

She squeals and drops the muffin on the table in favor of taking the chrome jacket from my hands. She immediately tugs it on and strikes a pose with a grin. “How do I look?”

“Amazing,” I tell her. “Like you were meant to wear it.”

She giggles. “Betty’s gonna be so jealous.” At my look, she smiles bright. “A girl at school. She’s always trying to outdress me.”

“A bully?” I ask.

She shrugs. “She tried to tell me I’ll never be a fashion designer, but I don’t let that bother me. She’s just mad her daddy ain’t ever home.”

“Oh,” I answer. Because what do you really say to that?

“So. . .” Callie says, turning in a circle. “What are you gonna wear on your date?”

I wince. “He told you about that, huh?”

“Of course he told me. He wanted to make sure I’m okay with it,” she beams. “I like you, Fable. I think you’re cooler than a cucumber.”

Laughter trickles out. “I’m glad you think so,” I answer, but honestly, it means much more to me than she realizes. I do really like Gunnar, even though I still need to have a talk with him. Callie is a sweetheart, and just from her, I can tell her dad is a good man.

Her expression gets serious when she turns to me. “Dad hasn’t been on a date in a really long time,” she begins, her eyes on mine like she’s giving a lecture. I give her my full attention. “He may be awkward, but it’s just because he’s nervous. He really likes you and he doesn’t want to stick his foot in his mouth.”

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