Page 47 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

“Yes, I am. I’ve got one more exam to write and I’m outta there for the summer.” She gushes.

“Tell me about it. I’ve got two next week and I’m done, too. For good.”

“God, I’m so jealous!”

“Hey, you’ve only got one more year to go, you’ll make it.”

She waves. “Oh, I know that. I just...I want to get on with my life, and being in school makes me feel like it’s on hold.”

I lift a brow. “What’s the rush?”

Jade shrugs. “No rush. Geez, Crystal said the same thing.”

“Well, it’s valid. Enjoy your youth while you can.”

She waves. “As if you and Crystal are so far ahead of me. It’s just a year, you know.”

“I know.” I push my book away for a moment, while I watch her start picking things up off the floor. “But still. Sometimes I wish my life would slow down. It feels like just yesterday I started college.”

“I can’t wait for it to be over.”

“Why? Have you got a job lined up?”

“No, but I have a million ideas for opening a business.”

“Yeah?” I smile, impressed. “What are they?”

“Well, ever since I started coming here to Copper Cove, I don’t know...I just can’t help but think that there are so many more opportunities for a small business here.”

“Like, what sort of small business?”

“You know how I’m all over the natural body sprays and stuff, right?”

I nod. “Yeah? Something like that?”

“Well, I’ve been making my own for a while, and I just need somewhere to start. I’ve been giving them away at school so people can test them, and so far, they’re loving it. I’ve even made some natural household cleansers to try here.”

“No kidding? How come you never told me?”

“I had a bit of imposter syndrome. I didn’t even tell Crystal. I just told some friends and that’s it.”

“Well, I’d be happy to help however I can, you just let me know.”

“You’ve already helped me here, Piper. I mean, you got me a job, for now, anyway. And it’s somewhere where I can test out my products, and mama and daddy won’t chide me.”

“They were chiding you?”

She shrugs. “Well, they won’t even let me get a part-time job like everyone else. The only reason why they let me work here is because of you. They shelter me so much. It’s crazy. I’m afraid of what’s going to happen when they find out what I’ve been up to.”

I lift a brow. “Whathaveyou been up to? Is this something to do with the fact that Blair’s hand was up your skirt last night?”

She blushes. “It was not.”

“You’re a worse liar than Crystal. I saw it. Billy saw it. And the look on both of your faces said that you weren’t making a huge effort to hide it, either.”

“Well, that’s because the only people I want to hide it from is my folks.” She says, matter-of-factly. “I mean, you’d give me your blessing, right?”

“Honey, no offence, but you’ve never asked for my blessing before, with all the dudes you made it with in school.”

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