Hot Tub Guy: Seriously? You’re in The Row?
Me: Yeah. It’s all part of Celeste’s grand plan.
My cell phone started ringing.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Grand plan, huh? Do I even want to know?” Humor laced his words.
“It’s probably better you don’t. What are you up to?”
“We’re at Kye’s. Come over.”
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea for us to hang around. But we could go somewhere.”
“I’ll go anywhere with you, B. You know that, right?” My heart pounded in my chest. He had such a way with words. A way of making me feel like I was the only girl in the world.
It was astonishing, and a little intimidating at how easily we’d fallen back into this routine. Of me hanging on his every word. Eager for whatever he might say next.
But it had been innocent back then. An unrequited crush. At least, that’s what I’d thought.
“Birdie?” His voice turned thick, low and gravelly. It rumbled through me.
“I’m here.”
“Remember the old grain mill?” he said, as if I could ever forget.
“I remember.” It had been one of the best and worst nights of my life.
“Meet us there.” He inhaled a deep breath, and I could imagine him scrubbing a hand down his face, his brows drawn together in deep contemplation. “We’ll bring supplies.”
“Okay,” I breathed.
“And B?”
“Yeah?”
“I missed you.”