There are hundreds of shares. Dozens of comments from people who were moved by the piece. Who wished they could live there. Or visit.
This should feel good.
And it does, in a way. But it’s also hollow.
Because he still hasn’t called. He never answered one of my calls, and finally, I stopped trying. But I’d been so sure he’d call after the article came out.
But there’s nothing but silence from him.
And I’m afraid that there’s no amount of glowing reviews or shares or positive comments that can fill that space.
I press my hand against my stomach, absently tracing small circles over it. My period’s officially two months late. I haven’t told anyone yet. I’ve barely been able to admit it to myself. I think I’ve been waiting for things to change between us. For him to call and tell me he’s sorry and…
I shake my head and pull myself from the familiar fantasy. It’s too late for that.
I need to face the facts. Whatever we had in that short time it’s over. It obviously didn’t mean the same for him as it did for me. And maybe that’s the hardest thing to accept.
My eyes fall to the magazine, and I let my lips curl up into a small smile. If nothing else, I hope the article helped the ranch. Helpedhim.
A click of heels on tile breaks through my thoughts. I lift my head as Brooke approaches.
She has the magazine in hand, her mouth curved into some kind of expression between a sneer and a smile. I’m surprised it’s taken her so long to stop by. “So this is it, huh? The big story?”
I sit back. “That’s it.”
Despite what she might think, Brooke has no room to criticize. Not when the editors are thrilled. They even offered me a full-time features gig. I just don’t know yet how I’m going to?—
“But there’s no scandal.” My attention is drawn back to my co-worker. “No dirt. No, nothing.”
“It’s the truth,” I say evenly. “Because that’s what journalism should be.”
Her eyes narrow and she shakes her head with a scoff. “You could have had something real, Kali. A headline that would turn heads. All you had to do was?—”
“I’d never do that to him.” I stand up to face her head-on.”
“Oh yeah.” She sneers. “Don’t tell me you fell for him or something.” It must be the look on my face that gives it away, because Brooke starts laughing. “Oh shit! You did, didn’t you?”
I don’t bother denying it, because what’s the point? “I did,” I admit out loud for the first time. “I fell in love with him.”
Brooke’s smirk fades. She opens her mouth to respond, but a familiar low voice stops us both.
“You did?”
Something shifts in the air behind me.
I turn, my heart already hammering out of my chest.
He’s here. Standing in the middle of my offices, hat in his hands, his dusty boots a stark contrast with the polished tile. He looks so completely out of place and absolutely perfect at the same time.
“Cash,” I whisper, not trusting my voice.
He smiles faintly, eyes soft but tired. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“I did.” I don’t hesitate. It’s long past time he heard exactly how I feel. “I love you, Cash.”
The words are barely out of my mouth when he takes a step toward me. “I love you, too, city girl.”
For a second, the whole world stops.
