Page 33 of The Story We Wrote

I wasn’t going to let him push me. I smiled back, softening my eyes and peering at him through hooded lashes. “I bet you’d like that, Cowboy.”

The tension in the air was evident. I was pretty sure everyone else could feel it too. Penny cleared her throat, but I didn’t look. I kept my stare on Boone, refusing to be the first to break.

Being the sneak he was, he blew me a kiss from across the circle. I reached up, pretending to catch it, and put it in my pocket.

“Theo, you start this round,” Mac said, moving on.

The second round went smoothly as well. No one tripped up or broke the rule. The game clearly worked better when the crowd was already drunk. This time, I was the person to say 21, meaning I got the rule.

I had to think long and hard about this one. Something that would get Boone. “You can’t make eye contact with another player. If you do, you’ll have to drink.” I made sure to cast my glance across the pit. Boone was staring directly at me. Without hesitation, he took a sip of his drink, which meant I had to too.

Rules were broken and numbers were messed up. Luckily, I didn’t have to call Boone “daddy” at all. My rule didn’t affect Boone in the slightest. Every time he looked at me, he would wait until I saw him, and he’d take a sip almost to prove he was unfazed. Something about that made my heart rate spike. He knew I was watching, not giving a shit about the rule I put in place. Boone knew that rule was for him, and he decided to break it every damn time anyway. I thought I’d feel victorious, but he was determined to be the one on top.

After we all had enough of the game, conversations took over, and we split into our own worlds. Penny and Mac were talking between themselves, which felt like a win for me.

Penny always did this thing with her hair, twirling it between her fingers whenever she was into someone. I hoped they finally broke the ice enough for her to make her move. Penny wasn’t shy, so I was surprised when she didn’t approach Mac in the library and tell him she thought he was hot. She was playing shy and keeping her outgoing self in check.

I picked up my phone and glanced down at the time. It was getting late, and if I was being honest, I was getting tired. I stood up, stretching my arms above my head. It had been a while since I stood, which made my body tight.

Theo took that as an invitation to stand up as well. “I think I’m going to head out,” she said, looking over to Penny. Penny wasn’t ready to leave. Her face said as much; she didn’t have a choice. Penny sighed and said something to Mac only they could hear. I walked to Theo and gave her a hug. She relaxed and put one arm around my waist.

“I’m here if you want to talk,” I whispered in her ear. She didn’t respond; instead, she nodded her head as we pulled apart. I knew something was wrong, and one day, I’d have the guts to ask.

“Do you care if we crash at your place?” Mac asked Boone.

“Nah, go on in. I’m going to wait with the fire,” Boone responded.

Rhodes stood and started collecting bottles and trash from around the fire. The flames were still going, which meant someone couldn’t leave yet. Boone took the job, and I didn’t feel right going inside when I knew he was out here alone.

“I can wait with you,” I said. I should’ve just gone to bed and called it a night. It had been a success so far. I didn’t get drunk and embarrass myself in front of Boone. Boone nodded in response, laying back in his chair.

I said goodbye to Penny and Theo, walking to the car with them. As they pulled off, I blew them a kiss and waved obnoxiously. When I turned back around, Boone was the only one left around the fire. The trash was picked up and the alcohol was put away. The only thing to do was wait for the flames to die before I could curl up in bed. I plopped down next to Boone, where Theo was sitting. I couldn’t help myself when a yawn took over. I put my hand over my mouth and tried to be at least a little respectful.

“You can go inside. I’m a big boy,” Boone said, looking in my direction. I smiled and shook my head. Boone spoke again before I could reply. “Do I still need to drink if I want to look at you?”

My cheeks flushed, and my stomach fluttered. I was right, he didn’t give a damn. “I’m surprised you aren’t sloppy right now.”

This got me a chuckle from Boone. I took a moment to look at him, the low flames from the fire casting an amber glow onhis face. The stubble on his cheeks was accented by the hues. His damn mustache did something to me.

When he smiled, his skin would crease around his eyes. Right now, he looked mouth-watering with this brown curly hair that formed a tapered mullet to the base of his neck. He was fully laid back in his plastic chair, hat slightly tipped forward.

“I couldn’t help myself,” Boone said. A part of me was glad he didn’t care. “Was it just me, or did it feel like Mac and Penny hit it off?”

“Oh, definitely,” I said back. He changed the subject; I was okay with that. “Even Theo and Rhodes were talking.”

I didn’t see Theo and Rhodes starting anything romantic, but it would be good for her to find other people to talk to if she was moving back here. Theo was the type to stay to herself and always had traveling. Now that she wasn’t seeing or exploring new places, I didn’t want her to feel lonely or lost here. I wanted her to be happy.

“Right? I felt like I was in the middle of their dates. Speaking of dates, I have our next one planned,” Boone said.

“Already?” I sat with my legs tucked underneath me. I finished my drink earlier and elected not to get another one. “Where shall we go this time?”

Boone sat up, putting his elbows on his knees. “The farmers market in town, Sunday. I’ll knock on your door at 9 am, so you better be ready.” I liked the spontaneity he had to just throw the date at me last minute. I was a plan it out kind of girl, but having Boone plan for me was oddly comforting. Not to mention, the farmers markets here were another reason I fell in love with this town. They covered blocks, even streets were closed off, and people came from surrounding cities to see what they had to offer. The vendors were mainly locals, but you had a few who traveled to set up their stands and sell their goodies. I couldspend my whole day weaving in and out of the rows from flowers to produce.

“I love the farmers market!” I squealed. I couldn’t contain my happiness, the smile on my face stretching ear to ear. My mind started listing all the things I wanted to get: candles, soaps, some flowers for my dining room table.

“I know,” Boone whispered.

“It was a lucky guess.”

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