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“Accident.” I do my best to say it with a straight face because if that was an accident, it was the hottest one of my life.
“Right,” he says suspiciously. “Well, do you want me to get it fixed? I’m going to the body shop next week.”
I wave him off. “No, I’ve got it handled. It should be done before that, but you could pick it up for me? Just do not put it on without me here.”
“Alright.” He slaps his thighs and stands up. “Welp, I’m going back to the house. Tell Josie I said ‘hi’ and that she’s welcome to stop over to the house if she wants.”
“Dad, again, there’s nothing going on.”
He gives me a knowing look. “Hey, I might be old, but I’m not blind. I’m certainly not judging you. I’m just glad you finally got your head out of your ass.”
“Well, nothing’s changed. We’re just—” I let out an exasperated groan. “Actually, I don’t know why I’m talking to you about this.”
His observations might be on point, but other than the fact we’re talking—okay, more than talking—our circumstances in life haven’t changed enough for Josie and me to work. I’m still stuck in Sterling Springs, and she’s still her free-spirited self.
He chuckles before his expression softens. “Don’t waste your chance.” He gives my shoulder a squeeze before turning and heading toward the door. “Since I’m assuming you won’t make it for dinner, I’ll drop off some leftovers.”
“Thanks,” I call after him as he walks out the door.
As soon as I hear it shut, I grab my phone and text Josie, because as much as I hate it, he’s right.
It might be completely in vain; it might only be a fling before we part ways, never to see each other again—but I’m not going to waste this chance.
CHAPTER 27
JOSIE
Fond Memories
“You’re right. This isn’t quite the same,” Sisi says reluctantly from the lounger beside me at the motel.
I look out at the covered pool before peeking under my sunglasses at her. She sighs and sits up, grabbing the pitcher from the table between us to try to top off her drink—try being the operative word because the pitcher looks very empty.
“And we’re out of spicy margs.” She groans. “Great.”
“Yeah, this might not have been my best idea,” I admit.
She shrugs. “It’s my fault. I should’ve waited another week to close the pool. This fall weather keeps on surprising me with these random warm days.”
The unseasonably nice weather is exactly why I thought of spending the afternoon with her, catching up while we caught some rays. Unfortunately, with my complexion that’s decidedly on the paler end of the spectrum, even the generous slathering of sunscreen I use to protect my tattoos can only do so much under the New Mexico sun.
I snort a laugh. “I’m pretty sure I can feel myself getting new freckles. I need to be in the water, not out here roasting.”
Sisi hums in contemplation, scanning the patio before facing me.
“We could go over to my parents’ house? Their pool’s still open.”
I pick up the pitcher and slosh the melting ice around in it, confirming that it is, in fact, empty.
“Dad tries to stretch out the season as long as he can and doesn’t mind paying to run the heater.” She scoffs. “You remember their motto: ‘if we build it, they will come’.” She makes air quotes and rolls her eyes.
I giggle because I do remember that. When the Sterlings built their pool, it became the center of our social lives—it’s where we all wanted to hang out. That was their goal. They always loved having their kids around.
“Alright, let’s do it.” I grab the empty pitcher and hike my thumb over my shoulder. “I’ll go grab some supplies for another round of these.”
She grins and nods. “Sounds perfect.”
I start to head back to my room when Sisi calls after me. “There’s just one teensy thing.” I turn to see she’s holding up her thumb and forefinger, barely keeping them apart.
