“Wait—the grey barn’s getting renovated?”
“Yep, it’s about halfway there. Plumbing comes next.”
I whistle. “Wow, never thought I’d see that.”
“A lot’s changed.”
“How’s Irene?” I ask.
“Maybe I’m not the one you should be asking.”
I downcast my eyes, knowing he’s right. Irene and I had been best friends for fifteen years, and in the blink of an eye, we became strangers. And that’s on me.
“Look, just give them time,” Garrett says. “I know it’s hard, but they’re good people.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” I snap back. “They’re my family.”
“Yeah, but I see you struggle. They love you, they’re just…guarded.”
I turn away so he can’t see the pain on my face. Despite my years of acting, some emotions are still hard to hide, especially when felt so strongly.
The room is nice, what you’d expect to see on a farm. There’s a twin bed with a flowered quilt over it, a portable brown wardrobe, a dresser, and a trunk at the foot of the bed. It’s not a lot, but I suppose I should be thankful.
“The bathroom’s behind that door,” Garrett points toward the far end of the room.
I go to check it out, looking past the door, into the tiny bathroom with a toilet, sink, and a shower.
“Wow, they really did renovate the barn. It’s like a studio apartment.”
“It was Jake’s idea. This will either be turned into a small store, or remain as bedrooms to be rented on Airbnb. They’ve kept versatility in mind.”
I turn to him, startled. “Jake thought of this?”
“Yeah.”
“Good for him,” I say, impressed with my brother’s drive.
Looking at Garrett looking back at me, I wonder what he could possibly be thinking. He couldn’t keep his eyes off me at the table, but that could have been more curiosity than anything else. If he’s interested, this is where he’ll let me know, with a look, a kind face, a promise—they always make promises—a gentle touch.
It’s a play I’ve starred in dozens of times, though I do admit, it took me a while to know as much. Men are lustful creatures, seeking a woman’s passion—her heat.
And I don’t know if I’m strong enough to deny him mine.
This is where he’ll make his move. I’m sure of it.
“Well, I’ll be seeing you around. If you need anything, just holler.”
My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach as he turns to leave.
Every bit of me wants to ask him to stay, though I know that’s insane. I’m emotional, in part because of all the trouble I’m in, but also because I’ve traveled back in time, and my girlhood self wanted that bad boy more than anything.
You need to stop this right quick. You’re not here for a summer fling. This is your penance.
It’s hard to put into words how he makes me feel. I haven’t thought of him in…years. I can’t even remember the last time he crossed my mind, and yet now, as I watch him leave, I know I’m not going to be able to get him out of my head. He’s this weird Frankenstein of hotness clichés, one part bad boy, one part farm boy, wholly mysterious, with a heavy helping of tortured soul.
Yes, please!
The teenager inside of me is screaming, “Hell—YES!” while the rational, worrywart part of me shouts, “Hell—NO!”
