“Whoa.” I quirk a brow, turning to Lauren. “Don’t think I didn’t notice the way he teased you at the bar the other night, and he has a nickname for you.”
“Oh, stop! Jax is Charlie’s best friend. He’s always thought of me as an annoying little sister, and he only calls me Freckles because he knows I’ve always hated my freckles. He does look out for me when I need it though, especially with Charlie being in Los Angeles now. Hence him taking us to Amarillo.”
She flips her napkin inside out as she watches the waitress bring out the gooey cookie, which is a chocolate chip cookie served in a warm skillet and covered in a mountain of vanilla ice cream.
“I don’t even want to think about another guy right now. I’m still kind of getting over my last relationship. Besides, it’s going to take me a little while to trust my judgment again. I really thought Austin wasthe one.I pictured having babies together and taking care of Copper Hill together. I saw it all with him, and it came crashing down in just a couple of months.”
Callie covers her mouth with a napkin to hide the fact that she just took a giant bite of cookie. “You’re going to be okay. You’ve got us.”
“Yeah, and as long as I can help it, I’m not going anywhere, well except to get my stuff in San Francisco, but otherwise, you’re stuck with me.”
“Thank you.” Lauren forces a smile on her face. “Enough of that sappy talk. Youhaveto explain what’s going on between you and Rhett. I saw him hanging all over you at the fundraiser, and I heard you two were out late in some field near Copper Hill last night.”
I want to keep comforting her, but I can tell from the look in her eyes she’s desperate for a change of subject.
Callie leans her elbows on the table, placing her chin in her hands and watching me intently. Picking up on what Callie is doing, Lauren joins in, innocently batting her eyes at me, waiting for me to fill them in. Unwilling to play into their hand, I spoon a melty bite of cookie, careful to get a good ratio of ice cream in the bite as well.
“What do you want me to say?”
“For starters, have you two kissed?”
“Yes.”
Callie lets out a shriek that makes Mrs. Colt turn toward us again. In an effort to appease her, Callie just waves cheerfully as she spoons another big bite of the delicious dessert.
“Wasn’t that obvious?” I ask.
“Yeah, but we still had to make you say it,” Lauren teases.
“I’ve decided I actually hate you two.”
They both laugh in unison, and I can’t help but join in. I haven’t had friends like this since—I don’t know how long it’s been. I don’t know if I’ve ever connected with other girls my age in the same way that I have with Callie and Lauren, not even Anna from college. They’ve just embraced me immediately, making me feel loved and free to be myself. I’ve been open with them about my anxiety and panic attacks, and never once have they made me feel ashamed. Instead, they just lift me up and tell me about their own scars too. It feels so good to have real friendship like this.
“How did it happen?”
I fill them in on how Rhett opened up to me. I’m careful not to get too detailed, even though Callie knows all about Rhett’s past. As far as I know, Lauren doesn’t, and that’s Rhett’s story to share. “Anyway, after he told me some personal things about himself, I let it slip that his honesty made me really want to kiss him. Next thing I know, he was pulling me in for the best kiss of my life. I’m telling you I thought Brady Mitchell from sophomore year of college was a good kisser. I was wrong. Rhett puts that boy to shame.”
“Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!” Callie cries. I can’t help but laugh. She already knows most of this, but she is still genuinely acting giddy over hearing it all again.
“Have you said the “L” word to one another yet?” Lauren asks.
“Maybe.”
“Iknewit! Oh my gosh! This is so great! So now what? Have you figured out the job thing yet? Are you going to keep living with him?”
“Rhett and my parents have both been super supportive. Rhett talked to someone on my behalf about a job and has offered for me to stay in the big house or the guest house, my choice. The cottage is ready, but I still haven’t been able to bring myself to move out of Rhett’s guest bedroom. I love being there with him. I can’t picture moving out.” The girls return my answer with more squeals. “All of this is sort of freaking me out though. I’ve spent my life trying to keep from being a burden, and here I am letting someone else try to take care of me again.”
“That’s not being a burden. Rhettwantsto do that for you. It’s very clear from the way he looks at you, and the fact that he told you he loves you, that he wants you around for the long haul. Accepting help from other people doesn’t make you a burden.”
“Thanks, Lauren.”
“You willneverbe a burden to any of us,” Callie chimes in. “It’s best you learn that before you move here. We are all family, and we take care of each other.”
I give a soft smile, not knowing what else to say. I want that so badly, but I’m worried I don’t know how to get it. I’ve never had so many people caring for me and accepting me as I do right now. What if I mess it all up?
We finish the gooey cookie, scraping the bottom of the skillet for every last bit of chocolate, and pay. As we shuffle out of Sweet Mae’s Diner, I give Lauren a tight squeeze, and she rushes off, explaining, “I promised my dad I’d help him move the cattle into a new pasture this afternoon. With Austin leaving, we are a little short-handed.”
“We totally understand. Go. Get out of here. And tell Austin he can go to Hell!” Callie calls after her.
