“A little. Not much.”
“You need to.” This is from Kennedy. “I don’t know what your relationship status is, but you need to be open and honest and talk about it.”
“He says he’ll wait.” Jordyn looks down at her hands that are clasped in her lap. “We’re so new. I just don’t know if we’d be able to survive that.”
Curiosity has me asking, “Do you want to?”
“He’s almost too good to be true. I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“It’s not going to.” Kennedy shifts in her seat but keeps her gaze locked on Jordyn. “Trust me. I’m not from Willow River. I was new in town, and I remember feeling the same way. I thought many times that Declan couldn’t be real, but he was. They all are. They’re good men, who were raised by incredible parents, and they are all what you see is what you get. Trust in that. Trust in him.”
“Damn,” Ramsey mutters, wiping at her eyes. “Well said, Kens.”
“I’m sorry,” Jade speaks up. “Please don’t feel like we are attacking you. We’re all really close, and we don’t want to see Ryder get hurt. Please don’t take our protection and worry for him as us not accepting or liking you.”
“No. Not at all,” Jordyn is quick to reply.
“Talk to him,” Kennedy says again. “I promise you it will all be okay.”
“Eighteen months is a long time.”
“It is,” I agree. “I’m not a wife or a girlfriend, but Sterling and I have been best friends since we were kids. One thing I know for certain is that the Kincaid brothers, all nine of them, are determined and stubborn. If they set their mind to something, watch out.” I give her a kind smile.
“Speaking of Sterling….” Palmer turns her attention toward me. “I still think there’s something there.”
“Nope,” I say, popping thep. I don’t even try to stop them. It helps that I already have alcohol in my system. I know they mean well, but it’s just never going to happen.
“I think we should make a wager.” Jade grins.
“What? That’s insane.”
“Oh, we’re betting.” Ramsey laughs.
“Terms?” Kennedy asks, ignoring my protests.
“I say we all take bets on when they get their heads out of their asses and realize they’re perfect for one another,” Palmer says.
“I’m in,” Kennedy says.
“I’ll go first.” Ramsey taps her chin. “I say by New Year’s.”
“I’m taking Labor Day,” Palmer announces.
“Thanksgiving,” Jade chooses.
“Jordyn?” Palmer asks.
“I don’t know the two of them well enough.”
“Choose anyway,” Ramsey tells her. “You’re here, which means you’re important to Ryder, so you get a vote.”
Jordyn shrugs. “Halloween?”
“Got it.” Palmer is typing away on her phone. “I added it to the notes app on my phone.”
“What do we win?” Kennedy asks.
“Bragging rights,” Palmer and Ramsey say together before falling into a fit of laughter.