It’s cute.
In my twenty-eight years, no one’s ever gone above and beyond for me like this, and a warm, fuzzy feeling spreads through me at the realization she cares. Even a little bit.
Maybe it’s because I’m an employee, or this is her way of apologizing for what happened earlier. Not that she needs to. Even though I don’t understand why or how someone can have a panic attack over grocery shopping, she clearly wasn’t faking it. I’d never expect her to apologize for something she can’t control.
Juniper may be harder to ignore than I previously thought. She thinks I don’t notice her, watching everything at the ranch from afar, but I do.
It’s hard not to when she brightens up whatever room she’s in.
I notice when she sneaks down to the barn to feed Honeysuckle an extra apple. I see the way she tries to keep up with everyone’s conversations at Sunday dinner but rarely speaks. She’s watchful and attentive, but she thinks no one notices her.
But I notice her absence, too. When we’re having lunch in the cafeteria, when we have team meetings on Mondays to go overwhat needs to be done for the week. She’s the one who makes the lists, but she’s neverthere.
I can’t help but wonder if part of the reason for it is me.
And that makes me feel like shit.
I’m going to try to be friendlier to her. She’s my coworker and deserves at least that much.
Just friends. I can do that.
I eat the burger and fries on the way back, practically inhaling them. I didn’t eat breakfast this morning because I woke up a little later than I anticipated, and I was so worried about Juniper I forgot I was hungry until I smelled the grease wafting from the bag.
Best burger I’ve had.
Chapter 5
Everyone’s been workingsunup to sundown the last week, getting the ranch ready for Mr. Dupont and his team to arrive on Monday. Daddy and I decided our summer kick-off barbecue would happen next Saturday, after Mr. Dupont and his team leave. He insisted tonight I take everyone to the Copper Mule to let them have a night of fun before the work really begins. I’m hoping to introduce them to some of my friends, too.
Shiloh moved to Great Falls at the beginning of the year to finish her residency so she can be a veterinarian, but she stays in Copper Creek on the weekends with the Smiths. It’ll be good to see her again. We video chat and text all the time, but I feel like I haven’t seen her or Bea in forever.
I don’t know what’s going on with Bea; she’s been quiet lately. I know she lives with her boyfriend in Austin, but I haven’t gotten many updates. Her social media hasn’t had much activity, and she only responds every so often in the group chat. I miss my best friend, but I hope she’s so busy because she’s thriving.
I dust on a light coat of shiny pink lip gloss and check myself in the mirror. I don’t know why I felt the need to dress up tonight.It’s not like I’m trying to impress a certain grumpy blonde who makes my stomach flutter by being near her.
I’m totally trying to impress her.
Addison’s been slightly less grumpy toward me since my panic attack last week. On the drive home, after she ate her lunch, she even asked me a few questions. Mostly about the ranch and the horses, but I still consider it progress.
I still try to stay out of her way, but she sat next to me at Sunday dinner and asked me about work instead of ignoring my existence completely. We were both working in the stalls one day when the lunch bell rang, and she asked if I was joining everyone. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say, but I agreed to go. It was actually kind of fun to chat with the group and get to know them more.
I don’t know what to do with the new way Addison’s treating me. I should be trying to move past my crush, but instead, it’s developing into something more. Am I so pathetic that one ounce of kindness from a gorgeous woman makes me weak in the knees?
Maybe I need to get laid. Feel the touch of another person’s hands on me instead of wearing out my vibrator for the umpteenth time. The only problem with that is that my options are limited to people I’ve known my whole life or my coworkers.
Both would be messy.
As I smooth down the skirt of the pink sundress I’m wearing, I wonder if I should change again. I’ve already put on four different outfits, worried that if I try too hard, everyone will laugh at me for dressing up when the bar we’re going to is barely more than a dive.
It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I like this dress. I want to wear it.
With a resolute nod to myself, I step out of the bathroom with the intention of slipping on my boots when there’s a knock on my door. Every time someone knocks, my panic spikes a little. Hardly anyone comes here, mostly because no one knows it exists. This ismy safe space. The only place on the ranch I can be totally myself. Mama, Daddy, and Briar are the only people who ever visit, and theyneverknock.
I’m expecting it to be Mama, since she comes most often.
But when I open the door, it’s not her.
It’s Addison.
