AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Agh. Fine. Whatever.”
Maybe a morning without Olivia around will actually do me some good. I’ll get my head on right.
That’d be helpful. A few hours of logical, practical thought.
A little while later, we’re all stuffed full of Skye’s opinions about fearless honesty.
I make my way for the yurt like it’s a life raft in stormy seas. In a way, it is. That one measly sleeping bag might be the only safe spot in this whole freaking ranch.
I can hear Olivia’s footsteps behind me.
“You don’t have to be such a grouch, you know!” she calls.
I stay quiet.
I’ve done enough talking for a while.
My jaw clenches as I work my molars together and think about that day way back when Olivia turned me down. That really hurt.
Itstillhurts.
I hunch forward and pick up my pace. A mild headache edges in at my temples.
Maybe being vulnerable is like drinking whisky, and I’m having some kind of hangover.
She catches up to me. “All we did back there was have a conversation. Maybe about stuff that’s uncomfortable to talk about, but we’re both adults and we can handle that, right? Honestly, it’s not a big deal. And that kiss this morning… it surprised us, maybe because it wasn’tterrible…and that’s not a big deal either. Like I said, maybe it was a fluke. Let’s just both be cool about everything, ’kay?”
I scan the cliff walls. I can see them, behind Olivia. Better to look out there than into her eyes.
It’s crazy, but even though my inner world is in upheaval—thanks to my attempt at honesty, back there—I still can’t help this attraction that surges up whenever I look at her.
That kiss, man. It really messed with my head.
Same with sleeping in the same room as her.
Even now, as raw, and annoyed as I feel, I can’t help but also want to pull her close and sink my lips onto hers. If I look at her, I might say more stupid things. Emotional things, like how I used to have feelings for her, and maybe those feelings never quite went away.
So, I keep staring at those rust-red and orange rocks in the distance.
“Yeah. You got it. Cool.”
She gives me a wobbly smile. “Great. Let’s go check on Blue. I’m sure he misses us, anyway.”
“Yeah, and he’s probably had his fill of doing his business all over our stuff, too. Barn animals belong in barns, you know. We should’ve returned him.”
We head for the yurt, refusing to look at each other.
When I step through the door, I freeze.
Olivia, beside me, stops in her tracks, too.
Blue keeps right on munching something. Is that a sweater in his mouth? Around him, the yurt’s a total, utter, chaotic, chewed-up mess.
I turn slowly to face Olivia. “Still think this is a good idea?” Her eyes are wide as she pushes past me.
Chapter 13
Olivia
