71
“So what happened between you and you-know-who?” Ginny asks the next day as we float down the river.
Her black bathing suit with a cute skirt covers her growing belly, and my red, skimpy two-piece makes me feel way too exposed. With the way Logan and I interacted yesterday, and how I felt like he stripped away all my defenses, I definitely should have gone Ginny’s route and worn a one-piece with as much coverage as possible.
Ahead of us in the water, Logan and Gigi are each on a float. Dave and Blake are next with Ginny and me trailing behind. The cypress and oak trees make a gorgeous canopy over our heads, but the strong sun still finds a way to poke through. It’s a gorgeous, steaming hot day in Texas, and being out on the water feels amazing. What doesn’t feel amazing? The state of my friendship with Logan.
“It’s nothing worth talking about, honestly,” I tell her. “He and I had a…chat after they opened presents. We haven’t talked since.”
Not unless you count the silent chin tilt and smile he gave me when I arrived at the river, or the quick hello I gave him in return.
“Oooh. What kind of a chat?” Ginny’s voice rises in curiosity.
“He was upset about the quilt.”
“Because you didn’t give it to him yourself?” She bounces on her float. “He wishes you had, doesn’t he?”
“I don’t know.” I lower my voice even though Logan and Gigi are way too far ahead to overhear us. “Ben told me Gigi’s entering the target contest.”
Ginny’s mouth drops open. “She can’t be serious. How dare she? How dare she come into our town and try to take your title? You’re the shotgun champion of Hunt County—she doesn’t even live here! There are rules you know. You have to be a county resident.”
“She’ll just use Logan’s address.”
“You know what I think you should do?”
“Tie one hand behind her back?” I joke as I stick my hand into the water and watch the light current move over my fingers.
“Tell the runners of the contest she’s a fake. A fake citizen of Darcy. And that she’s moving as soon as she changes her name.”
I nod. “I could do that. But I doubt anyone would care anyway. I’ll just have to beat her in the contest. I’ll kick her ass right back to Manhattan Island.”
Ginny claps her hands. “I like your idea better. Just don’t lose. For all of us Texans, you have to win.”
“I’ll do my best. Right now, though, I’m so damn hot,” I say. “I think I’m going to hop into the water. We’re nearly at the cooking grates anyway.”
Ginny’s already off her float. “I’ll get out, too. This part of the river’s only waist high, anyway.”
As we reach the edge of the river, and I plunk down to my shoulders, the sound of Logan’s fiancée’s loud giggle overpowers all other noises. I can’t help cringing.
“Mace, I’m worried about you. Are you okay?” Ginny’s brow furrows as she looks at me.
“I’m fine. Gigi’s beautiful, and sweet, and sophisticated. Sure, she doesn’t know how to touch him like I can. But little things like actual connection don’t always matter.”
“That’s not true,” Ginny protests. “Logan appreciates you just the way you are. He always has.” She pauses. “Not to change the subject, but I wanted to ask you for a favor. And it’s something that would help us both. Although, it may sound dumb, I’m warning you.”
“Gin, nothing you can say to me could sound worse than what I sound like most of the time these days. What’s the favor?”
“I need you to find me proof that Dave and I are meant to be. Maybe in Vivian’s diary you can locate a clue that proves we’re the match?”
I raise my eyebrows. “You know that diary’s a piece of fiction, right? It’s like reading Vivian’s fantasies downloaded from her brain onto paper.”
“I know, but your mama has studied that diary for years. Can you maybe, I don’t know, talk to her and see if you can help me regain some confidence?”
“I can talk to her, sure. I’m seeing her this week for theater rehearsal, so I’ll have her come by The Cowherd one day. But what’s going on?”
“I finally bought the electric guitar I’ve had my eye on.”
I shift forward so I can hug her. “That’s awesome.”
