“That’s the easiest and hardest thing to answer. When I think about Vicky, I can see forever.”
We hung up not long after that, Luke assuring me it would all work out, encouraging me to get some rest and that everything would be clearer in the morning.
I fell asleep cradling my phone, jolting awake every few hours to check and see if she answered.
At dawn, my poor body gave up completely as I fell into a deep sleep, dreaming about amber eyes.
seventeen
. . .
Vicky
I’d been sitting in my parked car outside of Miles’ house for twenty minutes, having gone to grab the handle to open the door about a dozen times only to chicken out.
Me:Ren, I'm stuck
Ren:???? Are you okay?
Me:Yeah, sitting in front of his house
Ren:Girl, you had me worried. What’s the problem? Can’t talk. In a late meeting but can text
Me:Her car is still here
Ren:Doesn’t mean she spent the night
Blowing out loudly, I leaned my head on the headrest. No, it didn’t mean that gorgeous, successful Katy Lane had spent the night. In Miles’ house. Yes, Ren and I had looked her up when I called her early this morning. Her IG account had about 30,000 followers, and her newest single was trending.
Me:I hate country music
I typed with a scowl. It wasn’t exactly a lie. I could enjoy some of it, though it wasn’t a favorite, and even I had to admit that her music was fun and engaging.
Ren:Me too. Solidarity, queen
I chuckled despite my breakfast churning in my stomach.
Ren:Ur not there for a visit, amica. Anna will wonder why u didn’tshow up to finish the job. You’re a boss babe. Gotten more clients in the month you’ve been there than your peers have in six.
Yeah, I had. Nodding decisively, I told myself, “You are a boss babe. No blonde country singer is going to make me back down and not do my job.”
As if she heard my words, Ren replied.
Ren:And go claim your man
“Pfft, he’s not mine.”
Ren:He’s not hers either
She was starting to scare me. This was it. I was getting out of the car.
Me:Going in. Say a prayer
Ren:Got u covered
I pushed out of the driver’s side door, my shoulders tense and tight. Opening the trunk, I carefully slid out the large frame wrapped in simple brown paper.
Hurrying past the rental car with a scowl, I stood in front of the house with a new determination.
