Page 118 of Talk About… Rivalry

“Yeah, brat, thanks for the warning,” Grace said. Even though her tone was light there was a glimmer of hurt there.

“I’m sorry, Grace, I wasn’t keeping secrets. It’s just been… crazy. Fast. Insane… the list goes on,” I explained.

She smiled and waved me off.

“I can’t say I get it, because I haven’t been there. But I do understand,” she said.

“You’ll find your pack, Grace,” Avery reassured her.

“I’ve got a date on Friday,” Grace admitted. She snagged her bottom lip between her teeth, looking both nervous and uncertain. “They seem kind of amazing.”

“From the dating app?” I asked, curious now.

She shook her head. “No, actually. I went to visit Hailey at work the other day and a pack had just left and… I could still scent them in the air. Of course, Hailey called them and asked if they didn’t mind her overstepping and telling them what happened. She set us up on a blind date of sorts.”

“Oh my god!” Avery shrieked. “That’s incredible, Grace!”

“Don’t run like I did,” I joked, but was also partly serious. My friend looked terrified.

“What’s that look?” Avery asked, picking up on the same thing.

“I’m just… not everyone’s cup of tea. I like pink a little too much, I’m addicted to cute, fluffy things from blankets to plushies, and I spend far too much time bouncing between reality TV and the shop.”

“They’ll love all of that if they’re your pack,” I reassured her. “I’m currently jobless and my pack helped me find which way to go.”

“Wait, what? Your dad won’t let you work now?” Avery gasped.

This felt like girl’s night, though it looked quite different with three sleeping newborns nestled in our arms.

“He might, but I saw new ranch hands working when Mav and I went to get my things before this heat. There was anunderstanding between us of sorts, but I don’t want that life. Leo suggested I focus on my art and they want me to have a booth at the Artisan Fair.”

“That’s perfect,” Avery said, catching herself when Lincoln shifted in her arms, a noise escaping.

Grace’s voice was also lowered when she spoke this time. “You should consider opening a gallery here. Run online orders and commissions out of the shop and showcase local artists. There’s enough small towns around here, and hell, some bigger artists might want featured if it puts more eyes on their work. We all know when the Fair is up and going again, this town will be busy all the time.”

“I’ll give it thought,” I said, a bit nervous to dream that big yet. “Let’s see if anyone actually wants my art first.”

They both rolled their eyes but let it go. For now. Best friends never let that kind of thing slide for long.

“So… how was the heat, Sidney?” Avery asked, a coy smile curling her lips. Then she shuddered, tacking a warning on the end. “Everything but Maverick. Ew.”

“It was everything,” I said simply.

They both studied me, not bothering to hide their grins.

“Okay, I’ve waited long enough,” Mama Whitaker said as she stormed into the room. “It’s been an hour since I last held these babies.”

“Sh,” we chided, though she didn’t disturb the babies.

“It’s okay, I need to get back to work,” Grace said, standing and carefully transferring Sophie to her Grandma’s arms.

Mama Whitaker sat down as we said a quiet goodbye to Grace.

A yawn cracked my jaw and Avery waved me over.

“Give me Quinnie back,” she urged. “Go get some rest. I can’t believe you’re still upright.”

“Me, either, honestly,” I admitted. “I’m exhausted. But I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”

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