Page 36 of The Story We Wrote

“It’s been eating at me for a while. We’ve been keeping it a secret like I said, no one knows. I can’t really talk about it to my parents because my mom gets upset, and my dad shuts down. I miss her, and I worry about her every day.” I felt a sting in my nose; there was no way I was about to cry in front of Aspen. She flipped her hand over and interlaced her fingers in mine, laying her head on my shoulder.

“You have me, Boone. I’m not going anywhere.” She whispered. The reassurance was all I needed. Knowing I had someone I could talk to lifted some weight off my shoulders, and I felt lighter. “You don’t need to navigate it alone.”

That last sentence broke me, the weight behind those words almost enough to free the tears I’d been holding back. I held my ground, calling them back to their cage.

“Thank you,” I whispered, placing a kiss on the top of her head. We sat there, hand in hand, while she rested her head on my shoulder. I rubbed small circles on the back of her hand with my thumb. Having her so close was comforting, and I never wanted it to end. I would sit here until she made the first move because I wasn’t going to leave this damn swing.

“Can I help in any way?” Aspen asked after some time had passed.

“Nah,” I said. “Letting me vent about it helped more than you think. Is it okay if we change the subject?”

“Okay, Cowboy. What’s next?” Aspen said, not moving from our cuddled position.

“Have you started writing at all?”

“Eh, I’ve plotted some stuff out but haven’t put any words on paper yet,” She replied.

“Do you have a storyline? Or maybe any details to share?”

“It’s a secret!” She said, turning her head so she was now looking at me. “Maybe when I have something written down, you can be the first to read it.”

That made me laugh; my head tilted back to lie on the back of the swing. “You want me to read your romance novel? I don’t know if I’ll be able to say anything helpful, but I’ll do it for you.”

“I mean, you’re helping me find inspiration, so it’s only fair,” Aspen replied. I guess she had a point, I was curious to know what the dates spark for her. “Speaking of inspiration, are you sure you still want to go to the Farmer’s Market? I completely understand if you need space.”

“I’m not canceling a date with you to mope. If anything, I need the distraction and I’d rather spend it with you than alone in my cabin.” I said, knowing damn well that a day with her is more of a priority. Being with Aspen was the perfect fix for whatever I was feeling right now. Being able to talk to her tonight has already improved my mood. It’s scary to think about how much your mood can be affected by just one person.

Aspen sat up, unlocking her fingers from mine. “If that’s the case, I better head to bed. 9 am sharp, remember.” She tapped my leg and stood from the swing. I rose too, now toe to toe with her. I pulled her in for a hug. She nestled into my chest, my chin laying perfectly on her head. “Thank you again,” I whispered, squeezing her tight.

“That’s what friends are for,” She replied before stepping away from our hug. I hated the sound of that. Being friends with Aspen was harder than I thought, but I’d take what I could get.

Sixteen

Aspen

Getting up at the ass crack of dawn this morning was the only option. I was so excited about the farmers market with Boone that when my alarm went off, I refused to snooze it. Instead, I put on my cow slippers at the edge of the bed and got to work. I made it my goal to be ready before 9 am and to look really good.

After last night, there was a shift in my friendship with Boone. When he hugged me goodnight, I wanted to curl up and stay there forever. The warmth from his chest and his masculine scent felt like heaven. I craved the smell of teakwood and the embrace of hard-earned muscles for basic comfort.

Boone showing a vulnerable side added to the appeal. He opened up about everything involving his sister, which made my heart ache for him and his family. I couldn’t even imagine the pain and uncertainty they must’ve felt surrounding the situation with Ellie. That poor girl had been through it, and I couldn’t fault her for needing to get away to rediscover herself. I was glad I could be there for Boone and let him shed some of the weight he must’ve been carrying around.

I paid careful attention to the amount of makeup I put on today, since it was supposed to be hot. After applying a light layer of concealer, I added contour and bronzer. Usually, I avoided foundation in the warmer months. Finally, I added a touch of blush and a swipe of mascara to seal the deal.

Strolling out of the bathroom, I went to my bedroom to pick out my best dress. This one I saved for special occasions because it made my boobs look amazing. It was a milkmaid-styled dress, all white with baby blue flowers. Pairing that with my light brown sandals and cowhide purse, I was ready to go.

I made sure to pack some of my reusable bags because I was prepared to make some poor financial decisions today. How much could a girl spend at a farmers market, you may ask? There was no limit. You get me in front of some freshly picked flowers or a soy candle, I swear I black out.

Like clockwork, Boone knocked on my door at 9 am sharp. This man was not a minute early nor a minute late; he must’ve waited on the porch until the clock struck. I hurried to the door and flung it open, greeted by the handsome man in a short sleeve button-up and a pair of light-colored jeans. Damn, did he lookgood. He actually brushed his hair, even though it was covered by his cowboy hat. I had to pause to take it all in because my mouth was practically watering. When he dressed like this, I didn’t know if I could control myself. He obviously liked what he saw, too, because as my eyes came back up from his boots, he got caught at my breasts. They looked good in this dress, and it showed the right amount of cleavage.

“Eyes up here, Cowboy,” I said, calling him out for staring. Boone laughed, bringing his attention to my face.

“You look nice,” he complimented me, and I gave him a curtsy. Boone held out his arm for me to grab onto. As I locked my arm in his, I closed the door behind us. Being the gentleman he was, Boone opened the passenger door for me. When heclimbed in the driver’s seat, I joked and said, “I don’t think I’ve seen you in anything but a t-shirt or, I guess, nothing at all.”

“Ha, so funny. I can clean up when I want to.” He tilted his head in my direction, leaving one hand on the wheel.

“Well, you do clean up pretty good,” I agreed.

When we arrived in town, Boone parked on a street about three blocks away from the start of the market. My excitement was building by the minute, and I felt like a kid in a candy shop. Once I stepped out of the truck, I waited for Boone so we could walk together. We made our way down the main street, the noise growing louder with each step. There was a live band set up on the street corner, which set the tone for the day.

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