“Who?”
She sighs. “Carter.”
“Oh, you made me worry my father or mother might be coming. I have to see them next week as it is.”
“Ugh, I forgot about Estella’s birthday.”
“Yeah and I can only take them about once or twice a year. Twice in less than a week…”
She snorts. “As if. But, seriously, no. I just wanted to give you a heads up. It’s part of the reason we are only coming up for the day. I’ll come back in a few weeks for the girls-only thing.”
“Cool.”
“Maybe we could do a girl trip. Like to Vegas, or to a spa or something. Just for the two of us.”
“That sound fabulous.”
“So, do we want a spa experience or a crazy Vegas experience? I can get that family suite in Vegas, and we can have all our spa stuff in the room.”
“Oh, god, that sound fabulous. Let’s do that.”
“You got it. I’ll set everything up and we’ll discuss it this weekend. I guess I should get to work.”
“You’re not at work right now?”
“Uh…no.”
I frown. Middle of the day and she’s lounging around? The reason she’s so good at her job is that she works her skinny ass off. The woman has issues with being a workaholic.
“You’re a little late to the office.”
“I worked from home this morning because I got up late. It was just easier.”
Got up late. Then it hits me. “Hmm, I guess you mean Grady got up early and made you late.”
“Shut up.”
I laugh. “You are so transparent.”
“You can’t see me right now, but I am flipping you off.”
“Doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”
She lets out a reluctant chuckle. I might envy her a little, but I am so danged happy about her relationship with Grady. They both light up when they are in the same room, and it warms my heart.
“Okay, I need to get to work and you need to drink your coffee.”
“Of course. Love you.”
“Love you.”
We hang up and I sit there smiling, feeling really great for the first time in a long time. I have a few more texts waiting for me. One from Everly and Becca.
Everly to Becca and Me: How about a girls’ night out tonight?
Becca to Everly and Me: Or in? We could stay in and it could be all girl things like superhero movies.
Yep, these are my friends. Other girls want romcoms, these girls want Marvel movies. Granted, I’m okay with it because of the beautiful men. But I kind of think we should go out. I need to be outside of this house and not here being all depressed.
There are a few messages from my family, including an apology from Jon, and then one from Travis.
Travis: The ball’s in your court now.
My index finger hovers over my phone, itching with the need to answer him. I hate to leave things unsaid like this but jumping in can lead to worrisome results. In this case, if I say yes right now before I am completely sure, I would end up getting hurt again. I look at the time of the text. He sent it late last night. I want to answer him, but I don’t have an answer. I need more time. I ignore him and my family and answer Everly and Becca.
Me to Everly and Becca: How about we go out to Wyatt’s, then movies at my house if we feel like it?
Syd and I can go there, just not together for a while. I don’t blame Wyatt for that rule because his bar was the location of our latest incident. But they make the best greasy burgers in all of South Texas.
Everly to Becca and Me: That sounds fantastic. Becca can be our designated driver if need be.
Becca to Everly and Me: Hey, maybe I want to drink.
I’m sure both Everly and I are rolling our eyes at the same time. Becca falls asleep after one glass of wine.
Me to Becca and Everly: So, you guys close up at six, right? Wanna meet there around six-thirty?
Becca to Everly and me: It’s a date.
Everly to Becca and Me: Yes!
Me to Becca and Everly: You are both standing next to each other and texting, right?
Everly to Becca and Me: WE BOTH PLEAD THE FIFTH
Becca to Everly and Me: See you tonight. *winky face emoji*
I’m smiling when I look at Travis’ text again but decide to wait one more day. Truth is, I want to talk to him, but I need some space. And as Syd says, he needs to sweat it out a little. I will text him tomorrow.
With that in mind, I decide to get some things done around my house before I head out tonight for GNO.
Chapter Eight
Travis
When dinnertime hits and I still haven’t heard back from Nancy, panic really sets in. I didn’t expect her to answer right away, but I hoped for…something. It’s an odd feeling not being connected to her. We might not get along all of the time, but there is always some kind of back and forth, mainly in texts. There’s been nothing today.
Of course, I know where she is. I’ve kept up with her movements through the Express. The LOLs have been reporting on her movements throughout the day, so I know she’s at Wyatt’s with Becca and Everly. Wyatt will keep an eye on them and make sure no one bothers them. And it takes just about every bit of control I have left to keep from running into town and stalking her. At least by following along on the Express, I can claim it was just the normal thing to do. Ya know, seeing what my friends in town are up to.
And that makes me sad and pathetic. Beyond that really.
I’ve kept myself busy though. I worked on plans for the office, but I also finalized a deal for some land I’m buying outside of town. It is one of the few private parcels that has access to a private spring. I’ve been keeping my eye on it for a long time, making sure I waited to snap it up. I got it at a good price, and I can’t wait to start building on it. I’ve always wanted something like that. A little privacy, enough land to have a good-sized garden, a few horses…things like that. The private springs is an added benefit.
One of the reasons our founding fathers and mothers ended up here is the springs outside of town. They are known for their healing properties, but they have yet to be commercialized. People can go to them and, yes, there is a fee, but it is more like a federal park. Not too expensive and just enough for the upkeep. Having one on my own property is going to be perfect. All I need is a gigantic farmhouse built on it.
I roll my shoulders as I look out the front windows of the office. If I squint, I can see the lights from Wyatt’s. Even though it’s summer and we are a tourist town, we close down early. Other than the diner and Wyatt’s, most places close down by nine on weeknights. The Mason Jar—the BBQ place in town owned by Wyatt and Everly’s brother—does take out until eleven. We’re a sleepy little town and I like it that way.
Is she still there? The LOLs reported that all the girls were there by seven and since it’s already ten, I think that she might be home. She’s not a night owl, unless she’s partying with my sister. When we’re on location, we both end up in bed early because our days start right before sunrise.
My phone vibrates on the desk. I notice it’s Wyatt calling me, and I frown. I pick it up.
“Hey, Wyatt. What’s up?”
“I need some help with my sister, her friend, and your co-host.”