Page 62 of A Cowboy's Twinkling Lights Lasso
She quirks a look at me. “Can you ever go overboard with popcorn?”
“I suppose not. Especially when you’re snacking with a jumper.”
She laughs and lightly taps my chest. “Stop it.”
“It wasn’t even a scary movie, and jumped, dumping the popcorn.”
Her mouth forms a perfect circle. “It was a scary moment.”
“Popcorn went everywhere,” I continue. “I was still finding kernels in my hair the next day.”
“You’re lying.”
I press a palm toy chest, acting insulted. “I would never.”
She laughs before pulling me to another picture. “Look at this one.” It’s a picture of us down at the creek. She’s in her bra and undies, and I’m waist-deep in water, but I’m sure I’m wearing my briefs.
“Who the hell took that one? Do Wilma and Faye understand it might be considered illegal to have pictures of minors like these in their possession?”
She tilts the picture for a better look. “It was Dani. She followed us down one afternoon and took a few pictures—”
I grab the picture and lean in close. “That’s your polka dot bra. Didn’t we end up naked that afternoon in that creek?”
She nods, slow, with a mix of something playing across her face that I don’t piece together right away.
Then it hits me. “Please tell me there are no sex pictures of us in the hands of your sister.”
“I cannot promise you that.”
I groan.
“Come on. There’s so many more.”
Hand in hand, we meander through the photos, swirling in a maze. Each picture captivates us, sparking warm smiles, laughter, and inside jokes. A friendship had been built that summer. Deeper and stronger than anything I’d known.
“Here’s another one. This one is one of my favorites.” She weaves through the dangling pictures, our fingers laced together.
“Here’s a picture I recall.” The nostalgia hits me, and I love our innocent, silly smiles close to the lens. “I took this one the night we climbed onto the school roof and watched the sunset while sharing a strawberry milkshake.”
Her eyes twinkle. “That was the night you told me that you loved me.”
“I remember.” My voice is full of emotion. “And you said it back.”
“I remember.” Her voice is filled with equal emotion.
I wrap my arms around her waist. “This is amazing.”
Her arms snake around my neck. “Each of these memories means so much to me, and I want to create so many more memories with you—”
“You’re taking the job,” I cut her off, hearing a bit coming at the end of her sentence and fearing she thinks she has to give up her dream to make up for lost time with me. “Don’t think for a second, you’re not. I will be here when you’re done, and we can pick it up right here.”
She leans up and kisses me. “I’m taking the job.”
“Damn right, you are.”
“We haven’t even made it to the good part yet.”
“You’re the good part.”
