Page 36 of Only Forever

Ashlyn lifts two fingers in the air. “Scout’s promise.”

“You were never a scout.”

“It’s not my fault they didn’t understand my vision.”

“Storming the police station is not a vision.”

“You stormed the police station?” I ask.

Ashlyn waves away my concern. “It was a misunderstanding.” She grasps Lilac’s shoulders and pushes her toward the line. “Do your best. I understand if you can’t beat my record.”

Lilac bristles. Her sister knows her well. She hates being told she isn’t good at something. I get in line behind her because I am not missing this.

As we wait, everyone in line has a turn at jumping as high as they can over the ‘bonfire’. Next to me, Lilac drums her fingers against her thigh. It’s her nervous tell. I want to grasp her hand and tell her it’s going to be fine, but I know my touch isn’t welcomed. Especially not when we’re in public.

I plan to change how Lilac feels, but first I have to figure out what she wants. Avoiding me because of an employee handbook is not an answer.

“You got this,” I tell her when she’s next. I take a chance and squeeze her shoulder in support.

“Okay. Okay. I can do this,” she mutters to herself.

She backs up several steps before sprinting toward the hay pile. A foot in front of the pile, she trips and flies through the air before landing on top of the hay.

I rush forward to ensure she isn’t injured. When I reach her, she smiles up at me with hay in her hair and giggles. “I fell.”

Trouble. It’s the one and only word I can think of as I stare down at her smiling face.

I’m in trouble. I thought I was in trouble with Lilac the hard working professional. I was wrong. Lilac the woman who will make a fool out of herself for her family is the real trouble. Good thing I enjoy trouble.

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