Page 49 of Like A Moth To A Flame

I dressed, smeared some eyeliner on, and did my eyebrows. Somehow, I’d managed to throw together a cute outfit with what was left of my suitcase—a ribbed yellow halter top, with cut-off blue jean shorts, pockets embroidered with butterflies and flowers, and a matching sunflower belt.

A few moments later, I stood in front of the full-length mirror behind the door in Dad’s den, looking at my outfit. I wasn’t normally one to think highly of myself, but I looked cute today.The thought lifted a smile onto my face—until a voice in my head wiped it right back off again.

God, did you really need to cum that bad?! You’re glowing… whore.

Sighing, I slapped off the light and walked out of the room. I couldn’t have anything. Not even a thought to myself. Grumbling, I moved across the hall and down the stairs. Snatching my keys off the table beside the door and grabbing my purse, I walked out without another thought, pulling the door shut and locking it.

Should I even bother? He could get in any time he pleased, anyway.

Shaking the thought away, I moved across the yard to the barn, where Barrett had so smartly parked my convertible. I’m so happy he’d thought of it last night, or else it would be flooded this morning.

The air was heavy and humid, swimming with pollen and birdsong. The gravel driveway sloshed and crunched beneath my yellow and black wedge sandals, and when the wind blew through the old elm, I could smell the scent of wildflowers and hay.

It was barely five minutes later when I pulled into town. Rounding the corner, I saw Amelia’s telltale black Escalade and snorted a laugh. It was hilarious how badly it stuck out among the pickups and old beaters. We weren’t from here, and it showed. I whipped into an open parking space right next to her and killed the engine, kicking the door open and plopping the keys into my purse.

It almost felt like I’d spent more time at Mama Mae’s than I had at my dad’s house lately. I needed to learn how to cook, and quickly. This was going to get expensive fast. Stepping inside, I looked around, seeing a ton of familiar faces. Sheriff Banner sat inone booth, talking animatedly to Tammy and Ray. Across the diner, Principal Lewis sat with a newspaper, and when he saw me, he gave me a hearty wave.

My mind recalled the things Barrett had said, and I blushed, waving hello. There was no way Principal Lewis was the one doing this to me, especially not after last night. It wasn’t long until I found Amelia, her bright blonde hair standing out from the olive green paint and black booths. I hurried over to her, and when I sat down, she gave me a wide smile, showing her perfect white teeth. Her tiny button nose had burned, much like mine, but she didn’t get freckles. She just got an adorable amount of blush that made me jealous. She wore a simple pair of black blue jeans and a pristine white t-shirt.

I picked up a menu and immediately hid behind it. For some reason, I couldn’t meet her eyes.

“You look super cute!” Amelia beamed.

“Thanks,” I said. “The burgers are really good here. What are you having?”

Amelia was quiet, and I dropped the menu. The way she looked at me told me everything I needed to know. The jig was up. She knew.

“Something wrong?” she asked.

“No.”

“You sure?”

“I’mfine.”

“So somethingiswrong.”

I glared at her.

“This is not the time or place for this conversation.”

“So you’ll tell me later?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe means yes! Awesome!”

Just as I opened my mouth to say something, Mama Mae stepped over to us. She held her hand on one hip, and when she looked between us, she had a sweet, knowing smile on her lips.

“Now this one I ain’t seen before,” she said, pointing to Amelia with the pad and pencil she carried. “You brought a city friend.”

“I did,” I said, grinning up at her. “Barrett was busy today. Something about pasturing the bulls?”

“Breeding,” she said, and my stomach dropped like a rock.

That was afamiliarword.

“Anyhow,” Mae continued. “What can I get for ya?”

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