Page 74 of Blue Jeans in Low Beams

No apologies needed. I’m glad to see you having a life. You are having a life, right?

Oh, how do I answer that…

I look up at Mell, my eyes wide, silently pleading with the universe to provide an answer. She returns my look with a questioning one of her own, so I tilt my phone her way, allowing her to read the text.

“Yes, big brother, I am. Sleeping in the other bed in your apartment,” Mell comments, keeping her voice low enough so only I can hear. “Although I’m not sure how much sleeping is really going on.”

I elbow her, but she dodges it, cracking up. I don’t bother to hide my smile as she continues to laugh—or deny any of what she’s said. Because she’s not wrong. I haven’t returned to my room since the town movie night. At least not to sleep. Every night since has been spent in Milo’s bed, the two of us wrapped up in each other. We do sleep—both of us work jobs that require a good night’s rest—but there’s also plenty of fooling around. Of exploration. And orgasms.

“I’m not saying that to Brandt.”

I turn the phone back over in my hand, still trying to find the words.

“Soooooo, then he doesn’t know?”

“No.” I pause, second-guessing. “I don’t think. Milo hasn’t mentioned telling him.”

I swallow hard. Because of all the things Milo and I have talked about—which most days feels like everything under the sun—the one thing we haven’t talked about is Brandt. My older brother, his best friend, has been conspicuously absent from our conversations. Consciously or subconsciously, I’m not sure, but regardless, he hasn’t come up. And at this point, he probably won’t.

Not that I want to be the one to bring it up.

“Y’all haven’t exactly been secret. You’re not Willa and Nash making out all around town, but…he did kiss you at the farmers’ market, and made it pretty clear he was claiming you at movie night. Word travels fast around town. Maybe a little slower out to Colorado, but…”

But…yeah…

Yes, having a life lol

There, that should placate him. Except Brandt is quick on the draw.

No strange men have been in my bed, right? Lol

“Nope, just their own beds,” Mell snarks, leaning over.

My cheeks flush, heat and embarrassment instantly enveloping me. I’m glad that no one else is around to witness this.

No, no strange men. As promised.

Good. So, what’s this?

The swirling circle indicating that something is loading appears, holding its place for a second, before a photo appears. A photo of Milo and me. Hugging.

My heart stops. Where the hell did this come from?

Maybe word doesn’t travel that slow to Colorado after all…

I blink, trying to focus and figure out exactly which moment this was. We’re standing in front of the Hayes produce booth, Milo’s hand on my hip, very clearly holding tight. He’s staring at me intently, and I can still feel the heat from his blue eyes. Even now, the butterflies stir inside me from their intensity.

“Hey!”

Oh shit…

I spin on the stool, smiling brightly as Willa leans down to hug me. I return the gesture, the strange angle not helping the awkwardness that is washing over me. As she lets go, I see Kenzie, Sylvie, and Bronwyn slide into a booth out of the corner of my eye, my mind trying to figure out what they’re doing here this early. Or at all on a weekday.

“Didn’t expect to find you here this morning,” she says.

“I work here,” Mell tells her.

I choke on my exhale, taken aback by Mell’s bravery. Willa’s known for being sharp-tongued on a good day. Like razor sharp. She’ll cut you with her words so fast, she’ll be walking away before you realize you’re bleeding. And prior to being caffeinated? Well, she can be downright mean.