Page 27 of More Than an Ex-Girlfriend

“Whoa.” Grayson glances around before speaking again. “Kent once told me that you only get one chance. That’s not true. And he’d probably agree with me now considering the way things happened with Poppy. But you and Lettie should talk. She told me that she tried reaching out but you had her number blocked.”

“I blocked her years ago. But she’s not blocked anymore. That wouldn’t be very neighborly.”

“I’m not gonna pry any more than I already have, but if you want to talk, call me.” He pulls keys out of his pocket. “Y’all had something good once.”

Leave it to Grayson to drop a statement like that before walking away. He’s not wrong. But Lettie and I have both changed.

What hasn’t changed is her amazing laugh. And I’m hoping I can catch her tonight before she turns in. I like spending time with her, and we can’t very well get to know each other without a bit of conversation now and then.

* * *

With Ava’s blessing,I grab an extra slice of pie as I slip out of the mess hall. Dessert gives me a reason to pop in at Lettie’s and maybe chat with her before she crawls in bed.

I rush home and instead of my normal routine, I skip the shower and knock at her door. After a minute without a response, I walk across the porch to my door. Maybe I didn’t catch her in time. Or she could be in the shower. That is a thought train I don’t need to ride right now.

Inside, I set the desserts on the counter and walk toward the shower. There’s no water running in the pipes, so that wasn’t why she didn’t answer.

After kicking off my boots, I yank off my shirt, then hear a knock.

As I’m pulling open the adjoining door, I remember that I don’t have a shirt on.

My shirt never comes off when I’m around people. Ever. When we have pool parties, I either don’t swim or I wear a shirt made for the water. And I’m fair enough that people assume it’s for sun protection. They don’t need to know about the scars on my back, the forever reminders of the worst day of my life.

Lettie blinks, her focus on my chest. Then her gaze snaps to mine. “Hi.”

“Hey. Come on in. I brought you dessert.” I walk toward my room, not even trying to hide my back. “I’m just going to grab a shirt that doesn’t stink.”

She’s one of the very few who have seen my scars. Trying to hide them now seems pointless.

Chuckling, she nods. “You do that.” She calls out, “Was it you who knocked a bit ago?”

“Yep. Figured we could enjoy pie before you had to sleep.” When I step into the living room, I stop.

Worry is etched in Lettie’s face.

“What’s wrong?”

She smiles, which is her attempt to dispel my concern. But it doesn’t work. “I’m fine.”

I make a sound like a buzzer. “Survey says there is zero chance of that.”

She sighs. “I thought I saw my mom in town today.”

Alarms are going off in my head. “You said she didn’t know where you moved. Was she here on the ranch?” I don’t hate Lettie’s mom, but I hate the way Lettie was sometimes treated.

Even if she isn’t my girlfriend, I will make sure no one treats her that way ever again.

Lettie wags her head back and forth. “When I was leaving work, I saw someone who looked like Mom in the parking lot of the apartment complex where I used to live. I don’t think she saw me. But I drove around for an hour before coming home just in case. But maybe I’m crazy and seeing things.”

I ignore the crazy comment. “She must’ve gotten your previous address from someone.” I nod to the table. “We can make a plan over pie.”

She eases into a chair. “It’s not that big a deal. I’ll lay low for a few days.”

“You didn’t answer your door, which tells me that it is a big deal, Lettie.”

“You’ve always knocked at the inside door. So I didn’t know it was you.” She picks up her fork. “I shouldn’t be eating pie.”

“Next time, I’ll bring you a salad and you can munch greens if that’s what makes you happy.”

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