It was probably his wife or girlfriend calling him. He was just being nice. Don’t read too much into it,I order myself.
I take out my dinner and sit at the little table by the window. My room overlooks the grounds, and I wish that it were the ocean. I practically inhale my food, then get ready for bed.
I’m just stepping out of the shower when my phone rings, and I automatically tense.
Is it Valerie again with more demands?
Dread fills me as I move to answer it, and I sag with relief, my knees buckling as I fall to the bed and hit answer.
“Hey, Jem!” I greet my friend.
I met Jem when I first moved to Wolf Valley. She runs the bridal shop in town, and we naturally started talking and became fast friends.
“Hey! How’s bridezilla?” she asks.
I collapse back onto the bed. “She’s terrible. Truly the worst. She wants me to call the florists and everyone to triple-check that we’re all set for Friday. When I tried to tell her that it was late and everything was closed, she yelled at me that she was the bride and this is what she’s paying me for.”
“She’s not paying you, though.”
“That’s what I said!” I shout.
“You should leave,” she advises me.
“I want to. I hate being here. I hate how my family treats me. I hate how they make me feel. I hate how stressed out I am.”
“So come back home. Larsen and Kian just got engaged and are looking for someone to help plan. You could be getting paid and not actively hate every moment of your life if you came back.”
“It’s so tempting…”
“Plus, we could go out. Maybe hit up Maple Creek and see if we find our Prince Charmings.”
“Actually—”
Jem squeals. “You met someone! What’s his name? What’s he like? Is he hot? Has he made a move? Oh, my god, tell me everything!”
I laugh as I roll onto my side. “Well, his name is Jackson, and he’s insanely hot. He’s doing security for the wedding, and he brought me dinner ‘cause I didn’t have time to eat.”
“Oh! He’s already looking out for you. That’s so sweet. Has he asked you out yet?”
“No, and I doubt he will. I think he’s just a good guy. Not interested in me, though.”
“Why the hell not?” she barks.
I laugh. “Uh, ‘cause he’s a six-foot-four god, and I’m me?”
“You’re hot as hell! If I were into girls, I would totally hit on you.”
“Thanks. It’s not going to happen, though. For one, I don’t think he’s into me. For two, I don’t have the time. Not with Valerie and my family barking orders left and right. And for three, I don’t think I could trust myself not to fall for him and then be heartbroken when I leave in a few days.”
“You could do long distance,” she suggests.
I sigh. “Too hard and too far. We’re literally on opposites ends of the country.”
“Well, I think you should go for it. Worst case is you have hot, passionate, mind-blowing sex for a few days and then come home.”
“You thinkthat’sthe worst-case scenario?”
“Sure. Why?”
