He doesn’t respond rightaway.
I hold up a pair of shorts.Cute.
He coughs. “How’d you know aboutJessica?”
Psshh.“I know about all of your women. You forget we live in a small town that thrives on gossip. For some reason, people always feel the need to tell me about your lady-killer ways.” I pause to count on one hand. “Jessica Holliday, Emily Sanchez, Renee Caruso, that exchange student with the freckles. The chicks you screwed in the barn. I’d need more time to remember themall.”
But never me. Even when I was oldenough.
That sobering thought plunks me right back in the friend zone. I may be enthralled by the attention Logan’s been giving me since I got home, but I can’t let my head float away with grandioseideas.
When he doesn’t respond, I turn around and am caught off guard by his stormy expression. Why is he pissed? I decide to backtrack, not wanting to ruin the evening. We’ve been having fun, and I want to get back to that. Despite his history with girls, it’s a topic we rarelydiscuss.
I open my mouth with the craziest thing I can thinkof.
“Did you know your mom explained to me what a boner was?” I make the goofiest face I can and then cover my face, because when I think back to what happened, I can’t believe I was soclueless.
It takes a few seconds for that to sink in, and then he shakes his head, amused. “Jesus. I knew you and Bev were close, but I really had no idea. I’m afraid to ask how that cameabout.”
He only calls his mom by her first name when he’s being extra cheeky, and I smile tomyself.
We resume our stroll through the store, and I reach for some new flip-flops. “Well, my mother never had the birds and bees convo with me, and I got my period for the first time when I was really young, a few days after that mud incident, actually.” It’s all coming back to me now. “So when Bev found me crying outside of the school because I legit thought I was dying, she took me to the ranch, cleaned me up, explained pads and tampons and how to use them, and answered my questions. Of course, since that boner conversation with you was fresh in my mind, I had toask.”
I brave a glance at him, and the soft look in his eyes makes my heartrace.
“You never told methat.”
I shrug. “I was embarrassed. That’s not something you tell—”The boy you’ve alwaysloved.
“I getit.”
His eyes are so blue, so exquisite, I have to look away, so I don’t see the hugcoming.
When I’m wrapped in his arms, I melt against him. “What’s this for?” My arms automatically wrap around hiswaist.
“You’ve never had it easy. Ever. But you’d never know it because life never knocks you down. I admire that about you, Jo.” His voice in my ear sends chills down my arms. “And the whole time, I was a spoiled brat. It’s amazing you wanted to be friends withme.”
When he lets me go, I realize how much I needed that hug. “I don’t remember it that way. I seem to recall needing someone to look out for me and you wanting the job for some reason.” Because even before Silas started treating me like I was poo on his shoe, he never had my back. Not likeLogan.
There I go again with intense conversations. Wanting to lighten the mood, I tell him the rest of thestory.
“You know, your mom handled my female issues like a champ. I’m not sure if I could’ve kept a straight face while explaining that a ‘penis gets engorged when aroused.’” I chuckle into myhand.
“Christ. She saidthat?”
We’re both laughing as Inod.
Since we’re near the changing room, I grab the swimsuits and other clothes out of my cart. “I’ll just be asec.”
“You gonna let me see what you get thistime?”
“Did you really want to see my bridesmaid dress?” Tori kicked him out of the shop before I tried iton.
“Yes, ma’am. And now I wanna see what I’mbuying.”
“Shut up. You’re notpaying.”
“We’ll see.” He swirls his finger in the air. “Get to it. And if you don’t show me the choices, I’m buyingeverything.”
