Winter let loose a holler and pulled Hallie in for a hug. “That’s amazing!”
Hallie’s eyes bugged as the girls crowded around her. When they released her, a genuine, startled laugh escaped her throat. “It’s not that big of a deal. I’m a finalist, but I haven’t won, yet.”
“That’s amazing, Hallie! I didn’t know you liked photography,” Faith said, her sweet smile easing the anxiety that was pooling in Hallie’s stomach.
“Oh, shelovestaking pictures.” Sammie says without a hint of surprise. “Haven’t you ever seen her wandering around with that ancient camera?”
Hallie gasped and turned to her best friend. “You knew?”
“Oh, honey. Of course I knew. I didn’t think it was a secret, though. And the competition? That’s great! You have to show us what picture you submitted!”
Hallie blushed. Then she remembered that these girls knew her feelings about Jacob. “Yeah, Okay,” she agreed. “Next time we get together.”
At that moment she locked eyes with Jacob again. The longing and flutters she’d always had came out to play while a new combative reality attempted to slaughter them. It was only a matter of time before Jacob wanted to have the talk. She wasn’t going to make it easy on him, either.
The back and forth that occurred between the two of them had gone on so long.
Too long.
She’d been the one to brave the storm and tell him how she felt only for him to turn her down. She’d been the one to tell him it was a bad idea to get involved when he was going through a life altering event and he’d pushed her to try.
So, if Jacob wanted to end what they had, he’d have to dredge up the courage to do so all on his own. He’d have to lay witness to the way it would break her.
Hallie tore her eyes away from the man she knew she would love forever and attempted to focus on the conversation taking place in the group.
Faith was brainstorming wedding ideas. Due to Brent having such a large family and most of his family preferring to have the wedding at Sagebrush Ranch, she figured that was a good starting point, but she couldn’t bring herself to commit when she loved her family’s property as well. It wasn’t as big, but the scenery was to die for.
Most of the girls seemed to agree with her and their chatter sounded more like clucking hens to Hallie when all she wanted to do was slip away. Thankfully this party was also on Sagebrush land and if she really wanted to, she could do just that. Her home was across the way. Would anyone even notice?
“I know that look,” Sammie murmured under her breath. “I wouldn’t if I were you.”
Hallie rolled her eyes then gave her friend a look that said, ‘try me’.
Sammie laughed behind the rim of her solo cup. “All I’m saying is that there is at least one person who would follow you.”
Hallie refused to look at Jacob again. Not right now. It didn’t matter if Sammie was right and she knew it. At this point, there were too many variables to consider. Sure, Jacob might notice. But would he really follow her? Or would he shoot her a text and check in? He’d been growing more distant, after all.
A warm hand tugged Hallie away from their group and toward the side of the yard where one of those large heaters had been set up. It was still nice during the day, but the second the sun hid behind the mountains, the chilly air swept in. The party had tobe outside to accommodate everyone who cared about Jacob and to make things work, Hallie had tracked down several heaters and portable firepits to offer heat.
Overhead, strings of lights lit the space, creating a fun atmosphere. For the most part, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves—Jacob included. Unless he was looking in her direction.
Hallie sighed once she was alone with Sammie. “What do you want?”
“Spill.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Hallie allowed her eyes to dart to Sammie’s for just a second, but it was a second too long. Sammie knew how to read her like a children’s book she’d memorized after the fifth read-through.
“You know better than to lie to me.” Sammie swirled a finger near Hallie’s mouth. “This is saying you’re happy, but these?” She pointed to Hallie’s eyes. “These are saying you’re barely being held together with scotch tape and Elmer’s glue.”
Hallie huffed but in the very next moment, Sammie’s arms came around her and held her tight. That was when she lost it. Tears sprang free and she allowed her friend to hold her long enough to regain her composure. With shaking fingers, she swiped beneath her eyes and let out a sad laugh. “Thanks a lot,” she muttered. “Did anyone see?”
Sammie glanced over her shoulder then around the crowd. “Maybe Jacob? But no one else.”
Shoulder’s slumping, Hallie shook her head. “He’s avoiding me.”
Her friend snorted. “That’s the biggest lie of all. We’ve all seen how much you two have been looking at each other.”
“You don’t get it. He’s going to break things off. He’s getting back into his routine, getting back to work. And when he’s busy, he doesn’t have time for a relationship.”
