Page 114 of Reckless
I grit my teeth. I hate this, especially for Winter. But I also hate it for myself because I hate the feelings it stirs up. Jealousy and insecurity and anxiety.
I don’t like Rob Valentine, and more than that, I don’t trust him.
“Well, I told him he’s making a great case for a restraining order today.” Winter nods, twisting her lips together. “What?”
“I don’t know. He’s just so...prideful. I hoped he would eventually get bored and fuck off. I’ve thought about the things I could do, the action I could take. But the truth is, I just want to be so inconsequential that he gets bored with me and moves on.”
I reach for the screen door and open it for her to walk through. “I don’t think he’s moving on.”
“No, I don’t think he is,” she says, as she ducks back inside. “But I’ll deal with it. I don’t want you to worry.”
I snort and lock the door behind us.
How can I not worry when two of the most important people in my life are living under this roof and I’m weeks away from going on the road again?
“How’d it go with my dad?”
“Very satisfying. I am officially agentless, and Geoff is jobless,” I reply, kicking my lace-up boots off. “How about here?”
Winter is standing in the middle of the house, wearing ripped denim shorts and a baggy Hamilton Athletics T-shirt. Looking all tanned and luminous and tiny in the open space.
She shrugs and glances away, not able to meet my eyes. “Honestly, we kind of missed you.”
“We?” I quirk a brow as I approach her. “Did Vivi tell you that?”
She rolls her eyes at me. “No.”
“So, how do you know?” I tower over her now, waiting for her to turn her face up to mine. I’m trying not to get my hopes up that she might give me a little something today.
On a day when I need it.
Her chin tips up, blue eyes so crystal clear, a light shimmer of gloss on her lips.
“Okay. Fine.Imissed you,” she confesses.
And then she hugs me.
30
Winter
Summer:What. The. Fuck. Is this a wedding gift?
Winter:Lmao. It’s the reason I was pissed you weren’t doing a formal gift opening. I wanted to see your face.
Summer:Where did you get this?
Winter:I found it in a box a long time ago and took it.
Summer:THIS IS THE ORIGINAL PAGE?
Winter:No. It’s the exact ad you had of Rhett taped to your wall, but blown up, printed, and stretched on canvas. The original is in an envelope taped to the back along with a travel voucher.
Summer:We can’t stop laughing! It’s so big! I don’t even know where I’m going to put this. This is the best gift ever!
Winter:Hahaha. I’m so happy you both love it. I’d like to suggest above your bed. For old time’s sake.
Summer:I am dead. You killed me. Best ever.
