Romantic, even.
Although it’s nearing nightfall and the sun is still shining, I can tell the sunroof will be my favorite part at night. Lying back and watching the stars shining through the small van, feeling so small in comparison to the vast world around us.
Yellowstone is magical.
“I’m going to love it here,” I say, not meaning to announce it out loud, and not ashamed I did. “This is exactly what I needed.”
“Yeah?”
I nod. “Yeah. Thanks for asking me to come, Easton.”
With his arms crossed, leaning against the side of the van, he looks at me with so much confidence. “Thanks for coming. Let’s just hope we both get the answers we’re looking for.”
One can only hope.
9
EASTON
Get it together,Easton.
It’s not like you’ve never seen a beautiful woman in next-to-see-through pajamas before. You’re Easton fucking Voss. This isn’t your first rodeo.
Play. It. Cool.
“Hi.”
Shit. There she is in all her tiny and pretty blonde glory. There’s no way I’ll be keeping it cool.
“Nice weather out.”Such a dweeb. Nice weather? What are we, meteorologists studying the national park together?
Collie’s giggle does nothing to comfort me. If anything, it only makes me more aware of her every move. Like how she’s currently standing at the hatch of our camper, looking like she doesn’t know what to do with her hands.
Where does she sleep? Where do I sleep? Most importantly, how dowesleep? There’s very little space, and either we get over the awkwardness and make it work or end up with kinks in our necks and grouchy attitudes for the two weeks we’re here.
Well, guess I’ll be living with a sore?—
“Scooch over,” she tells me, unfazed. “Time to get real acquainted, Voss.”
Or maybe I’m the only one feeling awkward about this.
Collie leaves no room for argument, directing me to shift to my side and settle under the blankets, while she lifts herself into the camper. I changed into a pair of sweats and a long-sleeve thermal earlier while Collie showered at the communal bathrooms. At first, I changed into jeans and boots after convincing myself I needed to show Collie I’m not as disastrous as I seemed in the suit, then quickly realized sleeping in jeans was not a sound choice.
She must think I’m insane for changing again. I just wanted her to feel comfortable enough to get settled, and it seemed like the best time to get myself ready for bed.
And boy did she get settled. By the looks of it, Collie packed for a hotel climate with the ability to adjust the temperature inside. That’s not an option out here. It’s November and the start of winter in Wyoming. Not exactly the coldest it gets, but still enough to need layers for warmth.
Without thick clothing, fires and body heat are the only options.
Fuckkkk.
Her long-sleeved sleep set is white with tiny pink hearts all over and buttons at the chest.
Look away. Now is not the time to notice the things this woman has that I haven’t seen or felt in longer than I’m proud of.
I guarantee I’d be nothing but a laughingstock if she knew my life story. I’d be known as the pathetic loser who lost his brother and dedicated his life to living someone else’s happiness.
For two years, I stared at one woman, and one womanonly, for the sake of my brother. For the sake of the promise I made to him.
