Page 67 of Blue Jeans in Low Beams

“Thankfully, not mine.” I grab hold of her waist and lift, planting her on the lowered tailgate and stepping between her legs. “Cause then I couldn’t do this.”

Leaning in, I capture her lips in mine. They’re soft, sweet, and send a zing through me that feels as if it should be illegal. That zing is also strong enough to erase the reminder that her big brother is my best friend.

I linger there for a moment, then run my tongue along her bottom lip, letting her know just how much I like being able to do this. Brenna coos, her fingers grazing along my biceps, returning the unspoken compliment.

My phone buzzes in my back pocket, reminding me we’re in public. Saying a little prayer that it’s not Brandt long distance interfering for a second time today, I pull back, hating to let go, and check my phone.

Willa

I really like you two together

Me too…

“Who’s that?”

“No one,” I answer without thinking. Hopping up into my truck, I hand Brenna her food, taking a big bite of my slice. “Tell me about The Well Nest.”

“Do you always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Abruptly change the subject when you’re uncomfortable.”

Busted.

“Yeah…old habit,” I admit. “And that was Willa. Still giving me shit.”

“I love that you two are so close.”

I open my mouth, about to comment that we’re not any closer than she and Brandt are. In fact, they might be closer than Willa and I are. But that’s not what I want to be thinking about right now. I don’t want to invite him into this space. Because if I do, that means I have to acknowledge that he might not like what’s going on.

“Do you deserve it?”

“From Willa?”

Brenna nods, a smile forming on her lips that I want to kiss off so bad I can taste it. But I hold back, thinking for a minute. Or pretending to. I know the answer, and let’s not lie, so does Brenna.

“Probably.”

My admission earns me a laugh, Brenna knocking me with her shoulder. We continue to eat, the night dimming around us, chatting about the potential opportunity she may have, and how her pharmacy school advisor recommended her to a small, regional chain of boutique drugstores based out of Savannah. Earlier this summer she’d been excited about the idea, but now, I can hear the hesitation in her voice, like she’s still not sure about any of it.

“I’m probably crazy for thinking about anything past passing the boards, but…” she trails off. “My mind can't help but go there.”

“I get it. You want to make a plan. Nothing wrong with that.”

“I know. And this sounds like it could be a really good opportunity. They have five stores in the greater Savannah area, and they are about to open a new one on Somerset Island, and that’s what they are looking to staff.”

Somerset Island, wow. Nestled just off the southern coast of Georgia, and about forty-five minutes outside of Savannah, Somerset Island is home to pristine beaches, a world-class golf course, bike trails, and historical landmarks, making it an incredibly popular vacation spot—and a highly sought-after wedding locale. It was once privately owned by the Somerset family, who bequeathed it to the state in the 1950s, and is still a relatively small community. Not much different than Hickory Hills. Just a lot less rural.

“Wow, a brand-new store. That’s big.”

Brenna shrugs, popping the last bite of crust into her mouth. “It is. But at the same time, I kinda feel like I’d be trading one small town for another, you know?”

I do…

“You can always tell them no. It’s not like you don’t have the option of staying here and taking on the illustrious operation of Hickory Hills Drugs.”

“I’ve missed Hickory Hills while I’ve been gone. I loved Athens, but this place is home. Where else does the town gather together in lawn chairs and truck beds in the middle of a field to watch…I don’t even know what tonight’s selection is.”