She hugs me tightly. “Hey, yourself. I came to see if you wanna go to the Rusty Spur tonight? Aubree and I are meeting over there for a drink, and I haven’t been able to hang out with you much lately.”
She’s right. We haven’t been able to hang out. Part of that is me. I haven’t wanted to change my routine, because I’m in the honeymoon phase of my relationship with Devlin. The other part is that I’m still processing everything that happened with the robbery.
“I don’t know,” I hesitate, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I should probably let Devlin know.”
Lennon rolls her eyes. “You can text him while we’re on the way. Come on, Atlee. I miss my sister. And it’s not like I’m asking you to ditch him for a week. It’s just a few hours.”
I feel a pang of guilt. I have been neglecting Lennon. The past few weeks have been like living in a bubble with Devlin, warm and safe and separate from the rest of the world. But Lennon has been there for me through everything. She deserves better.
“What time?” I ask, already knowing I’m going to say yes.
Her face lights up. “We’re meeting at eight. And before you start worrying about what to wear…” She holds up a hand to stop my protest. “I have clothes you can borrow. I’ll swing by your work when your shift ends, and we can get ready at my place.”
I glance down at my scrubs. “Yeah, these probably aren’t Rusty Spur appropriate.”
“Definitely not.” Lennon laughs. “So you’ll come?”
“Yeah, I’ll come.”
She pulls me into another hug. “Good. Because Aubree will kill me if I show up alone again. She says I’m a terrible wingwoman.”
“Aubree needs a wingwoman?” I ask, surprised. Aubree and Jesse are so totally together. Did something happen that I wasn’t told about?
“Not for herself,” Lennon says with a dismissive wave. “For me. She thinks I need to ‘get back out there,’ whatever that means.”
“Ah,” I say, understanding now. Lennon hasn’t dated anyone seriously since her breakup with Mark two years ago. “And how do you feel about that?”
She shrugs, trying to look nonchalant, but I can see the vulnerability in her eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s time. But that’s not what tonight is about. Tonight is about me getting to spend time with my little sister, who’s been all wrapped up in her hot cowboy.”
I feel my cheeks heat. “He is hot, isn’t he?”
“Gross.” Lennon laughs, pushing my shoulder gently. “I don’t need to hear about how hot you think your boyfriend is. I’ll see you at five, okay?”
“Okay,” I agree, watching as she heads toward the exit. “Hey, Len?” I call after her.
She turns, eyebrows raised in question.
“Thanks for coming to get me.”
Her expression softens. “Always, sis. Always.”
After she leaves, I pull out my phone to text Devlin, letting him know about my change in plans.
Me
Lennon wants me to go to the Rusty Spur tonight with her and Aubree. Girls’ night. That okay?
His response comes a minute later.
Devlin
Have fun. Text me when you’re done, I’ll come get you if you want to drink.
I smile at my phone. He’s always looking out for me, making sure I’m safe. It’s still new enough to feel like a small miracle every time.
Me
Thanks. I’ll let you know.
