Page 29 of Buckled in Barbwire

Me:Uh-oh, you full-named name.

Bianca:Don’t try to act cute. Is it true you kissed my brother?

Me:To be fair, he kissed me.

Bianca:Not the time to split hairs.

Bianca:Why was Lynn Ellen Paige the one to tell me and not my best friend? She provided very disturbing details too.

Nausea sloshes in my stomach while I imagine her upset about the news. Her grief is more than enough turmoil. Bianca doesn’t need me dumping fabricated drama into the mix.

I slap a palm over the gurgle, folding in half to muffle the noise. A thought occurs to me when I spy several gazes assessing my position. After last night’s scene at The Paddock, this crowd will probably assume I’m sick for an entirely different reason.

I straighten in a hurry and whirl to dismiss their judgment. Gemma is there to squeeze my shoulders. Her attention lowers to my screen when another text comes through.

Bianca:Don’t make me spell out your full name again.

Me:Don’t be mad. It’s not what you think.

Bianca:I’m waiting…

Me:Brody was trying to prove a point.

Bianca:To confirm that his mouth fits over yours? Were you doing a sexy version of Cinderella?

Me:Not exactly…

Me:Have you talked to your dad lately?

Bianca:It’s been a few days. Why?

Me:Did he mention any changes at the company?

Bianca:OMG! What’s going on? You’re freaking me out.

Unease squirms in my gut again. I don’t want to stress her out. There’s not much she can do about family politics while abroad. She’s not overly involved in Benson Farmstead regardless.

My attention lifts to the ceiling. Sunlight streaks across the painted rafters, reflecting a glow that doesn’t penetrate. I’m a jumble of uncertainty. This is something I can handle without dragging Bianca down. But hiding the truth doesn’t sit well.

Me:Can I call you? This isn’t something I want to text.

Bianca:I’m at a restaurant and it’s really loud. Just type.

Nerves bubble up my throat and tremble my fingers.

“You’re super jittery. Is your secret admirer upping the stakes?” My sister’s voice is practically bouncing at the possibility.

A defeated whimper slips from me. “Worse. It’s Bee.”

“Is she talking some sense into you?”

I nudge Gemma with my elbow. “Aren’t you supposed to be back at college this week?”

“You’re stuck with me until tomorrow, but I’ll let you text in peace.” She blows me a noisy kiss before sauntering to the makeup section.

Me:So… it sounds like your dad is considering retirement and giving the business to Brody.

Bianca:What else is new?

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