Page 141 of Wild Rose
I nod and push against his chest, giving him the space he’s asking for. I can do this. A day is nothing. A day is easy. “Yeah, OK. We’ll talk when you’re ready.”
I know he’s trying, but there’s no warmth when he says goodbye and walks out of the cottage.
I have a nauseating feeling that I’m never going to see him again.
At least not in the same way.
It’s midnight when I get the text I’ve been expecting. Waiting for.
Willow:Evenin’ lady. Got company or want some?
I swipe at my puffy eyes, ready to cry again.
Rose:I did something stupid.
Willow:You fell in love, I know, I heard.
Rose:Would that be stupid?
Willow:The stupidest. Take it from me.
Rose:Then it’s the second stupidest thing I’ve done.
Willow:What was the first?
I snap a photo and wince as I send it. Then toss the photos back in the trash where they belong.
There’s no text back. And I hold my breath.
My phone rings and I swipe to answer right away.
“Holy shit, is that you?” Willow shrieks.
“It’s me,” I grumble.
“Hot stuff.” She really means it too, and somehow—even though it goes against everything I tried to convince Wilder of—it makes me feel better.
“It’s not hot, it’s art.”
She chuckles. “If you say so, missy.”
“I do say so.”
“Oh yeah?” she challenges. “Then why am I only hearing about it now?”
“Wise ass,” I mutter. Then I give her a quick rundown of my afternoon.
“How did Wes even—oh no. Is this what I mailed him?”
I hadn’t even considered that. “Yeah, but—”
“Shit, this is all my fault. I say you call the feds on the guy. He opened your mail.”
“It’s not your fault, and I’m not calling the feds. He’s my brother. I can hear his argument now:Shedidn’tcallanyonewhenIwaspayingherbills,didshe,YourHonor?”
She grumbles. “Want to chat for a while?”
“No. I’m pretty tired.”
