Page 15 of Score on You

“Um, yeah. What else do you call this?” She motions to the ongoing thread in my phone.

“We’re not dating.”

“Ridge might think otherwise.”

“But he hasn’t expressed a romantic interest in me.” Or maybe he has.

Once again, I’m out of my depth. Where I come from, there are no dates prior to an arrangement for marriage. I’m aware that’s not how relationships are formed in Knox Creek, or most societies in this country for that matter. Even before fleeing Billmoore, I knew our customs weren’t typical. To experience the divide is another rude awakening entirely.

The differences are staggering and have taken me the better part of a year to understand. To this day, it’s difficult for me to comprehend Ridge’s attentiveness as anything other than civil conversation. That means it’s very likely he shows this common courtesy to others as well.

“What if he’s dating someone else?” My voice holds a brittle edge.

Harper snorts, which becomes a choked cackle. “That’s the funniest thing you’ve ever said.”

“I didn’t tell a joke.”

“Maybe not on purpose,” she giggles. “But you must be kidding. That man is already faithfully devoted to you. He even goes out of his way to avoid female customers at the bar.”

“Really?” The idea clouds my judgment.

“Yes.” Her tone leaves no space for argument.

“But we’ve never spoken about a mutual attraction to each other. Or having a date for that matter,” I add after regaining clarity from my stupor.

“Ask him.”

“About what?”

“Going on a date,” Harper states casually. She’s so at ease with this discussion. Just another variation in how we were raised.

Meanwhile, I feel sweat beading along my hairline. “Do you think he’ll ask me out for a date?”

“Or you could ask him on one.”

A gasp wrenches from me. “I can’t do that.”

“You certainly can. We’re fortunate to be in the modern age. Women are very capable of ruling the roost. Be empowered.” She shakes her fist.

My head is spinning as usual whenever we get on the subject of men. I stumble toward the bed, barely catching myself on the edge. “Oh, my.”

“Welp, my work here is done.” She brushes her hands together. “Gonna get a rub down from Jerky Jacob.”

“Huh?” I barely hear her over the brewing chaos in my mind.

“That massage I mentioned,” she clarifies while shaking her hips. “And then some.”

Even my sheltered awareness can gather her meaning. “You’re bad.”

“Eh, a little debauchery is good for the soul.” My friend saunters to the door, but peeks back at me before leaving. “Better answer him before he comes over here.”

“What?” I glance down and notice several messages I’ve missed from Ridge flashing on the screen.

With the pressure from the dating topic, I’d forgotten to reply. That’s a first.

Ridge:glad you’re over there. things will be easier now. and thx for telling me you want to hear from me more often. I’ll be texting you first thing eachmorning. might as well since you’re my every waking thought

Ridge:that might’ve been the longest text I ever sent someone

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