"We are. I’ll rehab that little guy at the ranch. They have amazing barns and a facility to die for. They haven’t spared a penny when it comes to making sure all living things are taken well care of up there. Including staff. I respect how many details they included." He looks at me for a second longer than the conversation requires. "Pull onto the shoulder and let me get him loaded. I want to make sure you're steady before you head up the mountain."
“I think I’m fine.” Am I? Am I fine? Because suddenly, I’m feeling a bit faint.
“Still. Pull over and I’ll follow you to the resort. Safety first.”
Again. He’s not asking me. He has to be a Daddy. Has to be. Is it wishful thinking?
I pull onto the shoulder and don't think about the way he said that for one single second longer.
Who am I kidding? I think about it a lot.
HOLLY: Okay so his name is Anthony Rossi and he's one of Justin's best single friends.
HOLLY: Single
HOLLY: Very single
HOLLY: I'm not trying to set anyone up, I'm just sharing information.
MAYA: Holly
HOLLY: As a friend of course.
MAYA: HOLLY
HOLLY: I'm just saying the universe works in mysterious ways.
MAYA: The universe hit my bumper.
EMILY: Crying
LILY: Sobbing
MADISON: I need you to tell me that you packed at least one cute outfit.
MAYA: I'm going to a resort preview for WORK.
AMBER: Wear a cute outfit.
CHLOE: Yes! A very cute outfit.
HOLLY: What they said, a cute outfit with some cleavage.
MAYA: I hate all of you.
EMILY: No you don't.
He comes to my window when the calf is loaded.
I've already rolled it down, which I tell myself is practical and has nothing to do with wanting to hear his voice.
I'm sticking to that story.
"The road straightens out after this bend," he says, resting one forearm on my doorframe like it's the most natural thing. As he leans in, I can’t help but think about all the TikTok videos I’ve seen where the sexy man leans onto the doorframe before kissing…Oh, he’s still talking."Watch the switchback at mile marker fourteen — there's been ice in the mornings. Take it slow."
"I'm a careful driver," I say, and then immediately think about the whole stop-in-the-middle-of-the-road situation and wince. "Usually."
That shadow of a smile again, a little closer to the real thing this time. "Stopping for an injured animal is careful in the ways that matter, stop beating yourself up for it."
