Page 18 of The Story We Wrote

“How weird have you been around him since?” Penny asked. My mouth opened, a shocked look on my face.

“What do you mean how weird haveIbeen, why would it be me? Maybe Boone is the one being weird,” I chided back, obviously defensive.

Silence fell between us, and Penny was staring directly into my soul. I took a long pull of my margarita, shoving a chip packed with salsa in my mouth.

When I was done chewing, I replied, “Okay! You’re right! I do have a track record of making things weird. But no, I actually think I did the opposite? I feel more relaxed around him. Like, whatever he did with his tongue in my mouth hit a button, and now I’m a changed woman.”

Penny snorted, almost losing her margarita through her nose. “That’s a hell of a way to put it. That’s a good thing. You wouldn’t want it to be weird considering you both work and live on the ranch. Has he said anything since it happened? Like maybe doing it again?” She made her eyebrows dance, turning her head slightly.

“No, just that he doesn’t regret it. Which was nice to hear considering my mind went into panic mode per usual. Everything has been fine. I never thought I would be friends with Boone Cassidy.”

“Friends? Did I miss a chapter? Besides the kissing, which I want all the details about written in MLA format in my inbox by tonight, what else has happened?” Penny asked.

“He took me into town and we went to lunch. He helped me change my car battery. He comes over most nights and we sit on the porch swing and talk,” I replied nonchalantly.

“Details, woman, details! Talk about what?” Penny inquired skeptically.

“Well, our likes and dislikes, family, hobbies, you know, friendly things. He sometimes flirts with me, at least that’s what I’m taking it to be, but it’s all harmless fun.” I had to rush to add that last part, I didn’t want Penny to get the wrong idea.

“I need to know what Boone Cassidy says to “flirt” because I bet they are corny lines he finds online, but they actually work. I think that man could ask me if my dad is a baker because I have nice buns and I would still blush,” Penny said.

“The other night, before the swimming hole, I was reading on the porch. He picked up my book and read a little of it. When heleft, he said–” Now that I’m repeating it out loud, I can feel my cheeks begin to heat. “I’m what you read about in those books, Darling.”

I thought Penny was choking. They way her margarita flew from her nose and covered the table, you’d have thought she needed medical attention. “He what?” she yelled, turning heads from other tables.

“Shh!” I hushed, flailing my arms in her direction. “What is your problem?” I whisper yelled.

“No problems here, sweetie. If a man said that to me, I’d climb him so fast his head would spin. That’s some top tier book boyfriend type of shit.” I stared at her, blinking rapidly. “Boone laid it on hard. There’s no way that’s a line he reuses, that was all for you.”

I guess I hadn’t thought about it like that. As much as I was attracted to Boone, I didn’t want things to get weird. Us hooking up in the swimming hole was a one time thing. The attraction I had towards him started in grade school, even little kid Aspen knew he was cute. I could handle it without acting on it, it’s been this long. When Penny points things out like that, I wanted to climbhimlike a tree.

I’d never been emotionally scarred from a significant other before, and I wanted to keep it that way. I gaslight myself into believing things are less than they are to protect my peace. I didn’t let myself experience something until I knew it was okay. Deep down, I knew I needed to protect my feelings from him. Boone was all red flags and tight wranglers. Well, at least he used to be all red flags. He still wears those tight wranglers. There was nothing wrong with being friends with someone you were insanely attracted to, right?

“You know, Theo is back in town this weekend. What if we go to The Tequila Cowboy for drinks and dancing? I think they havea cover band, it could be fun,” I replied, wanting to change the trajectory of the conversation.

“Are you okay?” Penny asked in a joking tone. “I’m usually the one asking, well begging, you to go to the bar.” She reached across the table and placed the back of her hand on my forehead.

Rolling my eyes I said, “I just miss you two, and I’m really needing a girls night out.”

“How could I say no? I will clear my calendar.” Penny smiled, taking her phone from her purse.

“I’m really proud of you,” I confessed, reaching across the table to grab her hand.

Penny fluttered her eyelashes, looking in my direction. “Muah?” she asked, placing her other hand on her chest. “I’m more proud of you. I mean, you made out with Boone Cassidy and are still standing to tell the tale.”

“That’s the last time I’m going to be nice to you.” I gasped, pulling my hand away.

“No!” She squealed, reaching to grab my hand back. “I’m sorry! Not really,” she mumbled the last part. “You seem happier since accepting the job at the ranch. There’s something different and I’m excited for you.” Penny gave me a sweet smile.

Talking to Penny always brought me back down to earth. She was my rock, always has been. When I needed her, she was a phone call away. Seeing her tonight made me miss the free time we had to be together.

The waiter came by and dropped the bill on the table. Penny placed her card down before I could get mine. “Let me,” I said, nudging hers out of the way.

“Just buy me a couple drinks at the bar, and we can call it even.”

Nine

Aspen

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