Page 82 of Full Send

Hearing Collin and Lizzy be so optimistic is such a validation, a much welcomed one, of what’s already been running through my mind.

This is real.

This isn’t just in my head. I am this happy for once and I deserve it.

Chapter 41

Tanner

Toy Barn

“So, what’s it like having a real coworker for a change?” Ronni looks at me from the passenger side of my truck. She’s scratching Rex’s head as he sits between us on the bench seat. He’s clearly chosen her over me, that little traitor. Can’t blame him though. He’s always liked her.

“Is that a question for me or him? He’s gotten way too used to spending these nights alone with me. So either way, he’s probably just as excited about having the extra company as I am.” I wink, scratching Rex’s head between his ears, our fingers brushing against each other’s.

I hear a little giggle, her lips barely parted in a smile, before she answers.

“Well, I still don’t speak Rex like you yet. So thanks for answering for both of you,” she says, smiling as she looks back at me. “So who’s crazy mansions do we get to see tonight? Come on, you spoiled me already by showing me Tommy freakingJacob’s place the other night. You’re going to have to tell me about them all.”

“Hmm, alright. We’ll save the best for last,” I say, flicking my eyebrows up at her. “You’ll just have to wait.”

We stop at the Cowgirl Coffee drive thru for some caffeine, part of my usual routine before we make my rounds. She takes her usual large iced honey badger, still ordering an extra shot of espresso even at 8:00 PM.

“That’s…a lot,” I say, laughing at her as she takes the first big gulp of her drink. “I’m like twice the size of you and even I don’t know if I could handle that much caffeine this late at night. I only got a medium and no extra shot.”

She smirks back at me, shrugging her shoulders, eyebrows raised. “I don’t think you’ll be complaining if I’m up all night with you.”

I feel myself holding my breath for just a second, my thighs clenching together. “Fair enough. I can’t argue with that logic.”

I lean over Rex, curled up between us, kissing her before we start making my rounds. I can taste her sweet, spicy coffee on her lips.

???

It’s funny, as long as she’s been coming here to visit her grandparents, there are still places all over town she’s never seen. I love giving her an even more behind the scenes tour of a place she already knows so well.

Our first stop is a condo complex behind Target. I’ve always thought this place was weird, but I’m dying to see if I’m the only one that picks up on it.

“Wait, how many units are in this complex?” she asks, looking around the parking lot, eyes wide.

“There are twenty units, ten in that building and ten in the other,” I say, already knowing she’s seeing what I’ve always thought was bizarre.

“Ok. So twenty units. And there are like, nine or ten Honda Elements in this parking lot?” Her jaw is still hanging down as she looks around counting the old toaster shaped SUVs, pointing a finger at each one as she goes.

“Yep. Exactly. It’s weird as fuck, right? Like, are they all friends? Did one of them own one and the others were likeoh hey that’s dope?” I look at her, so glad she appreciates the weirdness of this parking lot as much as I do.

Next, we head to a small secluded neighborhood running along Flat Creek, with charming old cabins near the base of Snow Queen resort, Jackson’s other ski area. Her face is glued to the window. She looks like an excited kid watching all the little cabins go by, nestled carefully back in the trees. Since it’s still about a week or so after New Year’s, their lights are still up and they look like gingerbread houses. I love her reaction, showing her a place that she wouldn’t have had a reason to visit before.

“I had no idea this little neighborhood was here. It’s so cute!” she says, still looking out the passenger window.

“Roll down the window and listen,” I say, pulling into my turn around spot at the end of the road.

She turns her head so her ear is now facing the open window outside into the dark. I see the edges of her lips curl up into a smile.

“Is that… Flat Creek? Are those rapids?” Her voice is excited, almost giddy.

“Yep, sure are. This spot doesn’t freeze up in the winter, so the river still runs hard.”

She closes her eyes and keeps her ear turned outside to listen. “It’s so peaceful, so relaxing. A real life, natural white noise machine.”

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