“Do you have any other workout hand-me-downs I can borrow?” I asked. “I think Owen’s getting tired of seeing me in the same two skorts.”
Meredith raised an eyebrow at me. “Worrying about how we look on the court, are we?”
“No, not at all,” I said quickly. “I just figured since you’re notusing them, at least not for . . . How much longer are you in that thing?”
“Three more weeks until Frankenboot comes off!” she cheered. “Early!”
“Overachiever,” I fake-grumbled at her.
“Sounds like I’m not the only one,” she shot back. “Someone’s becoming the teacher’s pet.”
I grinned at the thought of it. “And now we’re going on a field trip.”
“When is that?”
“Next week. It’s perfect timing because a big part ofArcherinvolves alicorns, and it’ll be cool to weave in some of my new horse knowledge.”
“And an alicorn is...?” Meredith asked.
“A Pegasus and unicorn hybrid. Everyone in Verdantia thinks they’re extinct, and only Einar knows there’s a herd of them living in the woods. Which is great because Zandria needs them for the resistance army.”
Meredith stacked her prep containers and turned to load them into the fridge. “And this new horse knowledge will also translate into the cowboy book that you’re actually getting paid to write, yes?”
I frowned at the thought of poor Austin and Abby, who were both signing up to work the pie booth at the county fair when I left off. It should’ve been a layup chapter to write, but instead of focusing on their simmering sexual tension over cooked fruit, I’d opted to research the ten most popular country fair pie flavors for an hour.
Apple was number one, obviously.
“Yes, ofcourse!” I answered quickly. “It’s the main reason I’m doing it.”
She stomp-stepped over to join me on the futon and perched her boot up on the coffee table. “Is it going to be weird hanging out with him off the courts?”
I was caught off guard by the question. “I hadn’t even thought about the possibility of it being weird, so I guess that means no?”
“From what I’ve heard, he’s a good guy. Colton loves him. And little Martina? Come on, they’re adorable together.”
“Yeah, I feel pretty lucky getting coached by a pro.”
“Speaking of, haven’t you run out of lessons?” Meredith cocked an eyebrow at me.
I shook my head. “Since I can get there early, he’s letting me do some extras.”
“And why is that?” She leaned toward me, now in full therapist mode.
“Beeeecaaause...” I elongated the word as I tried to figure it out for myself. “He appreciates the writer’s struggle, and he wants to make sure this muse thing happens for me?”
“Right, of course.” Meredith nodded and pursed her lips. “That’s such a normal thing to do for someone who’s basically a stranger. And then take said stranger on a date to a horse farm. Got it.”
“Oh my god, it’snota date!” I insisted. “Mere, he knows I’m into Kai. Owen brings him up all the time, actually.”
Five times, to be specific.
“Okay, okay.” She put her hands up in surrender. “Point taken. It’s just very...generousof him to do all of that.”
My phone rang right as I opened my mouth to give her shit for suggesting an ulterior motive. “My mom,” I said when I glanced at the screen. “Weird that she’s calling.” I answered. “Hey, iseverythingokay?”
It was my typical shorthand any time she called without texting first.
“Hi, sweetheart—yes, everything is great! Has your brother reached out to you yet?”
