I bite my lip, fighting off a smile. “Not even a little bit. I saw it with my own two eyes. She admitted it to her friend at the Hoedown.”
Her mouth opens wide but her eyes are still lit. “Oh my God! So, this means that you and Levi can, um,” She gestures with her hand, unsure of the correct words. Then she must notice the color on my cheeks. “And I’m guessing that our friend Levi wasted no time.”
I can’t help it. I try to hide my face in my hands, but I swear to God the blushing can be seen through. Trisha must have x-Ray vision. “You have no idea.”
She pulls my hands away so I can’t hide. “That good, huh. I thought I noticed a limp.”
We both start chuckling.
“Well, congratulations. It’s about goddamn time for you, Lennie.”
“He is everything I dreamed of and more.” I tell her, melting.
"I'll bet. There is no doubt in my mind at all."
"He told me he loves me."
Her face softens. "Oh, wow. This is serious, then. I figured that you were the only one head over heels for him. I've been proven wrong."
"God, Trisha. I'm so in love with him." I bite my lip again, staring at a spot on the wall, whimsically. "Can I ask you something without you thinking that I'm totally nuts?"
"Honey, you're best friends with me. That makes you at least half nuts."
"He's living at the ranch, and he hates the idea of going home. Do you think that it's absolutely insane to ask him to move in with me?"
She lifts a brow with her cheek, sort of smirking. "It might be. Wasn't he living with Shelly? Didn't they hop on that train a little too fast, too?"
I feel foolish and a little deflated. "Maybe you're right."
"Maybe I am, but maybe I'm not. He didn't love Shelly. All you can do is ask him if he wants to move in with you." Trisha reasons. "But you have to ask yourself if you're ready, or if you're just being impetuous. Remember that you've never lived with anyone other than your folks before." She lifts her arms. "Not that I'm an expert. I've never lived with anyone, either. I just want you to make sure that you're ready, so that you don't screw up the first real relationship you've ever had."
"I should give it time. You're right." I say reasonably. "I mean, we don't know each other that well, and we only just stared our relationship last night."
"Exactly. Fools rush in, Lennie. Remember that."
I hug her. "That's why I love you, Trisha. Because you're happy for me, but you tell it like it is, and I appreciate your honesty."
She hugs me back and then releases me, eyes lighting up again. "So, what are you doing tonight?"
"Well, I'm going for a ride at the ranch with Levi. Do you want to come?"
She's game. "Let me help you pack up for the night."
Levi is saddling up the horses with Turner when we arrive. We came in Trisha's car, because I know that Levi can drive mehome and to work tomorrow, if things work out and Trisha leaves before me. Trisha takes one look at Turner and sticks out her hand for him to shake. "Trisha. Lennie's best friend."
"Turner. I'm just new here."
"Really. Where are you from?"
Levi rolls his eyes. "I'll give you his number. Look, I'm dying to get out on a ride. Are you guys coming or what?"
I'm not sure what's bothering him, but he seems agitated. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure." He follows me outside the stable. As soon as we're out of earshot, he says. "Look, I'm sorry for that. I'm just all over the place because my dad got out of jail today, and he's supposed to go to rehab. I'm just waiting for the call from the sheriff, letting me know that he's escaped or something."
"But isn't that the agreement? Isn't he supposed to get out of prison for attempted murder by going to rehab?"
"Yes, but you don't know my dad. For an older guy, he sure has a keen sense of entitlement."
