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It never occurred to me not to let her know that I know her comings and goings, but when her head jerks to look up at me, I think maybe I should have kept that to myself. Her eyes trail over my face, and then she peels them off me to look straight ahead.
“How do you know when I leave? Have you been watching out for me?” she teases, pink dots blooming on her cheeks.
I don’t say anything because the truth is, I have. Don’t ask me why, but I’ve paid unnecessary attention to any movement that comes from her house.
“Or should I say stalking me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You know as well as I do that sounds echo around the mountain. A car engine can be heard from a mile away.”
“Charming as always,” she mutters.
“I’ll have you know I have a special superpower where I can charm anyone,” I tell her, and I do. It’s part of the reason my father and my brother all but demand I stick around. Maybe it’s my height or size, or maybe it’s my don’t-give-a-shit attitude, but whatever it is, people gravitate toward me, and I’ve mastered how to play the game.
“Is that what you were doing while swearing at me the night we met, charming me? Tsk tsk, Warren, someone lied to you.”
Of course she would bring up that night.
“I’ll admit, that wasn’t me at my finest.”
She snorts. “You can say that again.”
My hand drops from her back, and she steps away, eyeing me suspiciously.
Deciding to change the subject, I ask with a smirk, “You’ve eaten my donuts?”
“Of course not.” She scoffs, and my smirk falls.
“So you lied?”
She tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear, and this time, my eyes catch on the large gold flower earring. It’s probably the size of a nickel and undoubtedly costs a fortune.
It’s then I allow myself to take in the rest of her again.
When I first spotted her over Jessica’s shoulder, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. It’s like the sun had cast a spotlight, and along with my eyes, both followed her. She isn’t wearing anything flashy. On the contrary, she’s in a denim button-down shirt with rolled sleeves, white shorts, and short worn cowboy boots. She’s meant to look like everyone else here, only she doesn’t. She shines.
“I don’t know. Maybe I did; maybe I didn’t. Everyone else seems to love them, so what does it matter if I just repeated their sentiment instead of voicing mine?”
An unwanted twinge pinches me in the chest. She’s been just across the street for a month and has yet to taste the donuts. Then again, if I had been a nicer neighbor, I would have brought some to her. It’s not like they’re hard to make.
My lips flatten together, and I hum instead of answering her.
“Where are we going?” she asks just as we’re about to enter the barn.
“I thought I would give you a tour.” I wave my hand toward the inside of the barn.
She stops to look at me. “Now?”
“Yes, now. Is that a problem for you?”
“No, it’s fine,” she says warily. “But don’t you think you’re needed somewhere else?” She resumes walking, and I follow.
I shrug. “We won’t be gone all day. It’s fine. Besides, I should have offered it to you sooner.”
She mock gasps. “Briggs Warren, is this an apology for being a terrible neighbor?”
Listening to her say my full name does something to me. A swirling whips through my chest, and I’m not sure why.
“Listen, Goldie, I have nothing to apologize for,” I spit out, feeling a rush of annoyance. Then again, I’m not sure if I’m annoyed with her or with me.
