“You just said she was by the goats,” Jackson cuts in.
“They’re right next to each other,” I say, my voice rising. “Can I finish telling the story?”
They all nod in unison.
“I went to scare her, but one goat butted me in the leg, and it ended up scaring Laney, which caused her to throw up a fist, connecting with my nose.”
“Did she kiss it better?” Stack asks, saying it in a high-pitched voice.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “No.”
She might not’ve kissed it, but she took care of me, making sure I had everything I needed to help it stop bleeding. That was the most care I’ve had since Connie moved out of the house to get married years ago.
“Did you ask her out?” Finny asks.
“Why are we all worried about my social life right now?” I ask, taking a sip of the juice from the carton.
“Because we want to play this game,” Jacksonsays, “and we know you won’t play if you’re all uptight about a girl.”
I sit down at the table. “Fine, I’ll play. But you’re going to regret teasing me.”
Four hours later, they were, in fact, sorry.
CHAPTER 19
LANEY
I’ve got everything packed in a small suitcase. I’m ready to go, and yet I look over at the house across the street, the lights all off in the darkness. Of course, I have to get on a plane right after a magical night. Maybe I was imagining it, but there were sparks.
I’ve gone over the moments from last night at least a hundred times. We were close to kissing in the driveway, right? At least that’s what I was thinking had happened.
Then again, I need to get going and focus on the interviews in my future.
“Are you ready for this?” Jessa asks, wheeling her bag down the hall from her room.
“As ready as I’m going to be. I’m hoping we can get some sleep on the plane.” At least Jessa is coming this time.
Of course, I didn’t sleep that well last night, and it took forever to get my brain to shut off after the hug and almost-kiss.
For how happy Burton is, he’s been through a lot, which is something that only adds to his résumé as a good guy.
Why do I think résumé? It’s not like I’m interviewing him for a job.
Then again, I wouldn’t mind it if he were my boyfriend.
“What happened with the event planning?” I ask. I haven’t heard since our nighttime diner brainstorming session.
Jessa grins as we get into her car and drive toward the private airport. “The marketing team has been planning it. The woman who got the job is one of those who loves to plan stuff like that, so I’m sure it will be a big deal.”
“That’s good. The guys could use the publicity.”
“How was your grandma’s birthday?” Jessa asks with a knowing grin.
“It was good. Burton ended up at the farm helping with a service project, and then I asked him to come to dinner with us so I could repay him for the car-fixingstuff.”
She raises an eyebrow and says, “Is that all?”
“That’s all that happened.”
