Page 85 of Things Left Unsaid

“Tee!”

“Go for a ride. You’ll save a horse.”

“CHRISTY!”

“Jump in the saddle?—”

“I’m hanging up.”

“Safe travels, hmm?”

“Bye, babe.”

“Night, Zee. Don’t be a stranger.”

She says that in a rush as she hangs up so I send her a message.

Me: Never. You’re stuck with me for life.

Tee: I’ll provide the super glue.

Me: :*

Homesickness is a new feeling for me. But it makes my mind veer away from Colton… until the shower switches off.

And I think about saddles.

And the fact that Iama cowgirl.

And he’s a cowboy.

And—

The water comes back on?

The hell?

Unable to stop myself, I head for the mini fridge.

If ever there was a night for cracking open the mini bar, it’s this one. I don’t care if a thing of peanuts costs forty bucks. I’ll owe Colton if he brings the charge up.

Not that I think he will.

Has he ever had to check an itemized bill in his life?

Well, outside of the ranch.

Ranchers nickel and dime like it’s a college course.

With the jar in hand, I twist it. Trying not to think about him twisting?—

“Stop it, Zee. You’re turning into Tee. Do. Not. Be. A. Pervert.”

Still, the harder I twist, the less it wants to open and the more my hand gets sweaty and the lid refuses to budge.

I tap my foot on the floor.

Stare at the connecting wall.

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