Page 21 of A Cowboy's Twinkling Lights Lasso
“Do you like this one?”
I glance over my shoulder at the skintight black mini-dress my sister has changed into. “The denim was cuter.”
“I’m not looking for cute. I’m looking for ride me hard, cowboy.”
I can’t help the smile that creeps on my lips.
“I saw that,” my sister teases. “Is someone maybe having a good time back home with her family and friends?”
Does my sister not realize she was my only friend growing up? Her, my camera, and bookcase of novels—except the summer I unintentionally spent with Thorn. Lord, he wasirritating, chasing me around, somehow always managing to find me no matter what hidden trail I traveled—then acting like he wanted to spend time with me. I took the bait, fell for the cowboy, and he broke my heart. But my sweet revenge makes it all better.
“It’s nice to be back.” It’s not a lie. I miss Dani and even my wild aunts. “But it’s also nice to leave too.”
She clicks her tongue at me.
When I find my plaid pajamas, I pull the warm flannel up my legs.
“What are you doing?”
I slide my arms in the shirt and begin buttoning up the front. “Getting dressed.”
“No. You’re putting on your pajamas.”
I turn to my sister. “You like? I have them in three colors: red, pink, and green. You can have a pair.”
My sister gawks at me, wearing only her lace bra and barely what you could define as panties. “Whether I like them or not isn’t the point—which I don’t—the point is you’re supposed to be putting on an outfit for supper.”
“I’m not going.”
“What do you mean you’re not going?”
“I mean, I’m staying in to watch a Christmas movie and eat a ridiculous amount of cookies.” It’s my favorite holiday pastime.
“Did something happen today?” A seriousness I’m not used to washes over my sister’s face.
“Lots happened today. We haven’t stopped going since I arrived, which is the perfect excuse to order supper and veg out on the couch.”
“I mean with Thorn.” She shimmies a denim skirt up her legs. “Did something happen with Thorn?”
“No. Why would anything happen with Thorn?” Did I answer too fast? Did my voice rise too sharply at the end? Did I sound accidentally excited?
I order my face to stay blank, but I know my eyes flash my inner turmoil.
“Did you sleep with him?”
“No.” But almost. I was so damn close to repeating my mistakes.
“Then why are you wearing that weird, guilty, but pleased look all over your face? Like you did something you’re trying not to be proud of.” She pauses to reevaluate her statement. “Not that guilty is a word you should associate with nailing Thorn.”
“I didn’t nail Thorn.”
“What did you do then? Kiss? Was it a kiss? Are you feeling guilty about a kiss?” Her voice deepens. “You would feel guilty about sharing a kiss.”
“It’s not about a kiss.” However, I can still taste his delicious lips.
“You’re leaving me in the dark here.”
“Maybe you deserve to be in the dark. You’re too nosey. Go out and nail your cowboy.”
