Page 42 of Where We Bloom

“From who?” Dani wants to know, tipping up her eyebrow.

“Connor.” I frown down into my glass. “He came to the bookstore on Friday and said he got me thistrinketin Ireland.”

“Wow,” Dani breathes.

“It’s so beautiful,” Skyla says at the same time.

“This isn’t atrinket.” I set my glass down in frustration. “It’s a several thousand-dollar piece of jewelry, you guys. It’s not a keychain, or a postcard, or whatever you buy at cheap tourist shops.”

“My brother isnevergoing to buy something from a cheap tourist shop.” Skyla shakes her head. “And to him, that is an inexpensive gift.”

My mouth opens, and I scowl and lay my head back against the new outdoor sofa.

“That’s insane.”

“No.” Dani reaches over to take my hand and give it a squeeze. “He’s rich, Bee. It’s not insane because the money isinsignificant.”

“Exactly,” Skyla agrees. “I know it’s not easy to get used to.”

“No, you don’t.” I laugh with the comment, and the others laugh as well because it’s true. Skyla would have no idea what that’s like. She was born into massive wealth.

“That’s fair,” she says. “I don’t know. But I can empathize and understand that it would be overwhelming.”

“I don’t want gifts from him,” I admit, chewing on my bottom lip.

“Are you sleeping with him again?” Dani asks, and I shake my head.

“No, there’s been no sex and no kissing. Like I told you guys on Monday, he was amazing after theincidentbut never crossed a line. He was … great, actually.”

We’re quiet for a moment as another breeze blows through, and we enjoy the quiet around us. I can hear cows mooing in the distance. Riley, Skyla’s big dog, is curled up on a bed of his own nearby, snoring away. Suddenly, it occurs to me that the men and Birdie are nowhere to be seen.

“Where are the others? Bridger, Birdie, and Beckett?”

“Out at the horse barn,” Dani replies. “Riding for a few hours. Blake’s out there with them, too. Brooks should be here soon.”

I nod, tucking a stray piece of hair that fell out of my topknot behind my ear.

“I can sleep when I’m with him,” I finally admit, looking their way.

Dani’s eyebrowclimbs.

Skyla frowns.

“I thought you said you’renothaving sex,” Skyla says.

“We’re not, but when I’m with him, I cansleep.And I’ve been an insomniac since I was a teenager. I don’t sleep well. But with Connor, it’s like my body just lets go, and I sleep like the dead, and it’sso good.I don’t need expensive necklaces. I just want a nap date.”

Dani snorts. “A nap date?”

“Yes. I want him to invite me over and let me curl up around him and sleep. You have no idea how good that sounds, you guys.”

“With no …sex?” Skyla asks.

“Okay, fine. Yes, I’m so fucking attracted to him that I can hardly breathe when he’s nearby. All he has to do is touch me. No, strike that. All he has to do is look at me with those amazing green eyes, and my body is on fire for him. I want the sexy time, but I don’tjustwant that.”

“And you’ve told him that?” Dani asks.

“Yeah. I told him that I want more than to be used for sex. And then I didn’t hear from him for a while, so that’s my answer.”

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