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Fuck, I wish she were here.
Tillie
Standing near the store counter, I laugh, talking with Dakota and Tucker. They brought me some lunch, which isn't unusual because they seem to try and look after me since Ryder returned to Texas. I was worried at first that things would be awkward between me and Tucker, but that hasn’t been the case and I’m grateful for their visits. It somehow makes me feel closer to Ryder since he’s not here with me—I definitely need that right now.
“Have you talked to our brother lately?” Dakota asks, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Last night,” I murmur as my cell goes off. I look at the number and smile. “Speak of the devil,” I murmur with a grin. “Hey, Ryder.”
“Hey, sweetheart. What are you doing?" he asks. I can hear the smile in his voice. Geez, I miss him.
“Not much, your brothers just brought me lunch," I tell him, not missing how quiet he goes. “Please don't tell me you're jealous.” I try to hide my smile as Dakota snickers, and Tucker rolls his eyes.
“No, Buttons. I trust you and my brothers, even if Tucker wants you. I'm just jealous in general because they're with you, and I'm not.”
I can hear it in his deep voice, and it makes me ache and both sad and happy. “Ryder,” I whisper, turning away as I feel the warmth spread through my body.
“I don't think I can go another week without seeing you, Tillie.”
Butterflies start dancing in my belly, and I want to stop them. I can't get my hopes up like that.
“Honey, it's only been two weeks,” I tell him.
Two very long, very exhausting weeks.
“It's been hell,” he mumbles. I like his pouty voice.
“It has for me, too,” I admit.
“If I send you a ticket, will you fly out to see me?” The hope in his voice is my undoing. I want to say yes, but reality sinks in a bit.
“Ryder, I have work. I sold a cake for a big wedding. I have to get it decorated, deliver it, and set it up. There’s no way I can’t be here.”
“Tillie, I need you.”
I sigh. I need him too. “I feel the same, but I just can't this weekend. I can next weekend, though,” I tell him as I look at the schedule on the counter. I run my finger over it twice just to be sure I read it correctly.
“Fuck,” he growls, his breath filling the speaker with static. My body tingles as if his lips are right next to my ear.
“I’m sorry, but I will plan to come next weekend. I promise.”
“Plan for the whole week,” he grumbles. Something in his tone says there's no room for argument, but I do anyway.
“Ryder.” I'm vaguely aware of his brothers trying to give me space while also blatantly eavesdropping.
“Tillie, give me this. I'm going crazy here,” he says with a heavy sigh.
Me too.I think silently.
“I'll see what I can do,” I promise.
“I need you to make this happen, Tillie. I’m about two steps away from walking out and moving back. I miss you.”
His words send a shiver of joy through me that is impossible to contain.
“I’ll talk with Dad and find a way to make it happen,” I answer finally.
“God. Thank you, Buttons.”
