“I forgot how much I love this,” Harleigh says.
“Same.”
Charli steals a drink from Bryce’s cup.
Eventually, Porter stands. “I’m getting food. Anyone want anything?”
“Corn dogs,” Royce and Micah say at once.
“I promised Jovie funnel cake,” Harleigh adds.
“Yes, funnel cake with chocolate sauce!” Charli chimes.
Bryce rises too. “I’ll help.”
The two of them head toward the food vendors, and the rest of us settle back to enjoy the music.
Micah and Royce get distracted by a couple of barely legal girls in bikini tops and cutoff jean shorts.
Harleigh butts in and starts coaching them.
Cabe shifts from his chair and slides down to sit beside me on the blanket. Close enough that our shoulders touch. I rest my head lightly against him. The gesture feels familiar. Comfortable. Easy.
Being with Cabe has always been easy.
He smiles and wraps an arm around my shoulders. For a while, we simply watch the stage.
Then he says quietly, “I’m glad we got to do this tonight.”
He nods toward the crowd.
I glance up and smile. “Me too.”
“I thought we’d spend a lot more time together this summer.”
Disappointment flickers through me. Because he’s right. We both expected that.
“I know.”
“But between the academy and ranch work …” he says.
“And Boone and Earl buying every beast in Wyoming?”
He laughs. “Yeah, that too.”
I smile. “It’s okay.”
“You sure?” he asks.
“Of course. I’ve been busy, too, with online class work, internship hours at the clinic, working with the students in the gym after hours—everything.”
His expression softens.
“I’m still glad you came home though.”
The words settle warmly in my chest.
“So am I.”
