Page 93 of His North Star
We all stayed quiet for a moment, each woman lost in days gone by. If what they said was true, then Ty could be the one for me. I never doubted that though. I knew since I was fifteen Ty was amazing.Ugh.I shook my head. It didn’t matter right now anyway. Ty hadn’t said anything to me about love, and I was on a hiatus from it.
I pointed to the cards in our hands. “Should we get back to our game?”
The next half hour went by in a blur. I welcomed the competitive comments the three women threw at one another. It was better than speaking of love. And Ty.
When Gloria and Loretta pulled out the win, they slapped their hands down on the table in victory.
“Ha!” Gloria taunted. “I told you we’d pull through.”
I smiled.
Mrs. Sheffield scowled.
My grin stretched further on my cheeks. She could grumble all she wanted. The night was fun even though we didn’t win. My three friends’ comments about how they knew their husbands were the ones swirled in my mind. Their words, combined with Charlie’s, really did a number on my head and heart.
What should I do?
CHAPTER 24
“I’llbethereintwo minutes. You almost ready?” Ty asked me over the phone.
My stomach clenched. I could do this.
I’d been looking forward to this day since late spring when Ty agreed to pay me back for the horrible date he’d made me go on. I could be around Ty and not behave like an alien. If I focused on the fact that I’d be looking at the universe in the biggest telescope I’d ever laid eyes on, it almost outweighed the next twenty-four hours stuck alone with my best friend, who may or may not love me as more than a sister.
The interview Landon and I had conducted with Claire ran late. I’d wanted to meet with her yesterday, but today was the only time we could make it work. I should have packed last night, but silly me decided there would be plenty of time to get ready today.
“Ah,” I said, flustered. “I’m hurrying. I’ll need about ten more minutes.” I flung another item into the suitcase that lay open on my bed.
“I’ll come up when I get to your place. Unless you want me to go get drinks for the drive?”
“Yes,” I shouted. “Yes. Snacks and drinks.” My words were choppy and quick. If he ran to the gas station, it would give me a few more minutes.
“Chips, candy bars, beef jerky, licorice, and Gatorade?” he asked.
Our classic road trip and camping food. It wasn’t a Ty and Maren outing without them.
“Yes, please. I’ll pay you when you get here.”
“You’re not paying me for snacks,” he refuted.
In normal circumstances, I most definitely would’ve argued. For the sake of time, I let it go. “Fine. See you in a few.”
“K.”
I pulled out yoga pants and a fitted “It’s Just a Phase” moon T-shirt for pajamas and threw them in my suitcase without folding them. After securing another comfortable outfit for tomorrow, I ran to the bathroom, grabbing my travel kit out from under the sink. The essentials were in there. I packed a bare minimum of makeup, hair stuff, and a hat.
Ty walked in the door as I zipped my suitcase.
“Be out in one sec,” I hollered, tugging my luggage off my bed and going to meet him in the hallway. I stumbled to a stop. My stomach fluttered at the sight of him in his gym shorts and fitted white T-shirt.
I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head, clearing it of these feelings. I let out a breath and opened my eyes. “I’m ready.”
“Perfect timing. Here.” He reached for the handle of my carry-on. “I’ll take this.”
“Why, thank you, sir.” “Need to hit the little girls’ room before we go?” He pointed to the bathroom.
“Actually, that’s probably a good idea.” I didn’t have the same bladder capacity as a teacher.
