Page 43 of His North Star
“It’s okay if you do. You have to be up early.”
My jaw cracked with a wide yawn. We settled in his truck, ready for the almost hour-long drive home. After Ty dropped me off, I sent a quick text to James.
Me:Had a blast, but missed you[blowing kiss emoji]
I sent him the picture of Ty on Salted Peanut. I studied the photo, taking in Ty’s smile. His tight, button-up shirt showed off his toned shoulders and arms. His cowboy hat accentuated his square jaw. Man, he looked good—really, really good. I swiped to the photo of the two of us.
Our smiles were large, eyes bright.
I stared at us. My heart swelled. How in the billions of people filling the world did I get to have this guy as my best friend? He was the person who called me out on my crap. The one who pushed me to do things I told myself I couldn’t. The one who reassured me when I was insecure.
He was the best.
CHAPTER 12
James:Ty sent me the picture of you from the other night. I may have cursed a time or two. I’m sad I missed being with you while you looked like that. Why didn’t you tell me you dressed in Wranglers?
Who knew jeans were the way to his heart?
Me:LOL. [don’t know emoji] Didn’t want to rub it in.
James:Will you wear them again? [praying hands emoji]
Me:If you really want me to.
James:You have no idea what you do to me, do you?
Heat flooded me as if I were back in his hot tub. I let out a long, low sigh.
Me:Just waiting for you to show me. . .
James:It kills me that I can’t see you for a few more days.
Usually it was James who couldn’t get work off to see me. This time, it was because of The White Pines.
Me:This weekend is one of our busiest of the year.
The Fourth of July was insane at the bed-and-breakfast. Mom would kill me if I asked for a day off right now.
James:What if I came to you? I could follow you around while you worked.
I laughed out loud. How would I get any work done? He’d distract me too much. We hadn’t seen one another in three weeks. I’d almost forgotten the cadence of his voice. We texted all the time, but it wasn’t the same.
Me:I promise it will be better to meet when we’re alone [wink face emoji]
James:Curse you, woman. . .
Me:[blowing kiss emoji]
Tonight was the night for the community center star gazing event. I’d asked James to come with me, but surprise, surprise, he had to work. I could handle it on my own, but having an extra set of hands to help with the telescopes would be nice.
Ty said he’d come with me as long as we made the cobbler beforehand. He needed prepayment for enduring hours of tedious “star talk.” Ty’s timing for breaking up with Lys worked in my favor. Since James wasn’t around, I got to spend more time with my best friend.
I’d gone to the store and stocked up on everything the recipe called for. My phone was hooked up to my speakers, ready to go with our favorite album from high school. The only thing left was for Ty to show up.
While I waited for him, I pulled up the information I’d found about a support group for people who were dealing with trauma associated with their parents’ divorce. I reached out to the coordinator, asking if there was a counselor Ty could meet with one-on-one in case the group setting wasn’t to his liking. It was my way of doing what I did best—staying by his side, helping however I could. I planned to give him the therapist’s phone number tonight.
My apartment door swung open. Ty walked in, announcing, “Let’s get this party started.”
