Page 87 of How You See Me
“There’s no country in me,” he grumbles, lifting his hat off the back of the chair and setting it on his head, a stark contrast to that declaration.
Great Smoky Mountain. Did the heat just kick on in here? Yeah. He pulls off country and makes it masculine and fresh-out-of-the-oven, steamin’ hot.
“Keep telling yourself that, Cowboy.” I wink. “You look too good in that thing to be convincing.”
His eyes roll before he extends a hand toward me. “Let’s go.”
For a beat, I just stare at his open palm. The overhead lights spotlight not only the simple gesture but his steady presence.
I soak in this tiny miracle—him reaching for me first—without blinking, not wanting to miss a second. I take his hand, and he leads me out of my chair. But he doesn’t let go. Not as we leave the table. Not as we reach the door. Not even when the sunlight spills over us outside.
Maybe something opened inside him last night and this is the next piece of himself he’s willing to offer. Maybe he’s finally loosening the ropes that bind him, preventing him from taking a full breath of life.
Even if it’s a tiny sliver, I’ll take every inch he gives and relish it like it’s the most precious thing I’ve been given.
Because it is.
???
Jordan:Where are you now?
Me:In the van, heading toward Oklahoma City. We went antique shopping!!!!
Jordan:Wow! Is Hayes still Hayes?
Me:What’s that supposed to mean? Are you insinuating that I might have already driven him crazy?
Jordan:It’s scary how well you read my thoughts.
Me:He’s smiled at least three times today. In my book, that’s the opposite of falling off the deep end.
Jordan:What didyou do? Drug him?
Me:I’m not answering that.
Jordan:I’m glad it’s going well.
Me:Better answer.
Jordan:Have an ETA for reaching Las Vegas?
I ask Hayes, and he does some quick calculating.
Me:We’ll probably arrive by Friday if there are no more surprises.
Only four days until my time with Hayes comes to an end. I’m not ready.
Jordan:MORE surprises? Has something happened?
I fight the urge to tell him about Hayes and me. That conversation needs to happen over the phone—not text—since we can’t do it in person. Either way, I’m not ready for that life pivot either.
Me:Nothing serious. Just a flat tire. Got it fixed the next day.
Jordan:Did you stay in the van on the side of the road?
Me:We made it to a B&B on the spare. Everything’s fine. Don’t worry.
Jordan:Glad Hayes was there, and you’re not by yourself.
