“Sorry. You don’t have to sit with me, you know. I’m a big girl.”

“I know, but I wasn’t lying. I actually have something to discuss with you. Something that may benefit both of us.”

Just as he finished his statement, a gorgeous blonde I’d never seen in town before pranced over and fawned over Owen. It was like the world found out he was newly single, and the women were out for blood.

I watched, fascinated, as he gently pried her arms from around his shoulders and explained he was busy. The woman never even turned her head to look in my direction. Instead, she retrieved a marker from her purse, then quickly started jotting down a series of numbers across some of his tattoos on his forearm. She’d clearly done this before, the way she didn’t even hesitate.

When he realized what she was doing, he jerked his arm away, the marker leaving a long streak in its wake.

Despite her actions, Owen scolded her tenderly as he stood. I realized for the first time that Owen rarely ever lost his cool. Even through all the antics I performed at his and his clique’s expense during school, he never shouted or seemed angry. It was a shocking revelation after knowing what I did about his father.

The woman fled through the exit as quickly as she’d come.

“Look, I was being sincere when I said I wanted to talk to you about something, but I’m drawing a crowd. Is there anywhere else we could talk?”

“Talk?”

“Yes, form words with our tongues and create sentences. Just like that.”

“Asshole. I know what you meant, but you actually want to talk to me about something?”

“I do. I want to help you, and I think you can help me.”

I pondered his request, then stood, pulled a twenty out of my back pocket, and set it on the table, then gestured for him to follow me. “I suppose we’re both in luck.”

“What makes you say that?” he asked as he stood and moved around the table until he was barely an arm’s length away.

“Because I may be able to help you out with something else too.”

“Truce?” he prompted, holding out his hand, and I rolled my eyes, ignoring his gesture.

“Come on, baseball star. Follow me.”

I turned to the door as Owen broke out in a grin, his hand still extended in the air. I ignored the curious looks and made my way to the exit, only to feel his arm drape over my shoulders when I reached the halfway mark.

I hated the attention the move caused, but at the same time, I tucked my chin toward my chest and hid my smile.

Chapter Six – Owen

Walking out of the bar, I felt like a zoo animal, everyone’s eyes on us as they tried to catch a glimpse of something amazing. The spectacle was that Aspen and I were walking together. Something had possessed me to wrap my arm around her narrow shoulders and pull her closer. Maybe, deep inside, I wanted to see how shocked I could leave everyone.

Should I have been worried about pictures? Definitely. But with her, I didn’t care. In the end, all of it would play into the ploy I was going to present her.

As we exited, I caught a quick peek of Aspen’s face in the glass of the door. Her reflection showed a slight smile.

Once we escaped into the darkness of night, which was illuminated by twinkling lights strung across the road and sidewalk of downtown Ashfield, Aspen slipped out from under my arm.

An apology for the gesture sat at the edge of my lips, but I couldn’t find it in myself to start the sentence. Instead, I followed her to her beat-up sedan. My own car was parked close by.

She spun on her heels and faced me, the sound of the loose gravel crunching surrounding us. “How intoxicated are you right now?”

Catching me off guard, I paused. “What?”

“How much have you had to drink?”

“I couple beers and a shot. Why?”

“Get in.” Aspen gestured to her small car, and I sneered at the thought of contorting my body into the compact vehicle.

“Look, cricket—” I began, but she immediately cut me off as she added, “Owen, I will not let you drive if you’ve had more than two drinks. Got it?”

She even stomped her cute little foot, and I had to hold back my laughter.

“Look,” I started, holding my hands up in surrender. “I understand. I’m just saying I don’t think I’ll fit in your car. Maybe we can take mine. I’ll make sure you get home.”

“Oh.” Aspen glanced down at her car and then up at me, her eyes wide and sparkling from the lights. “You’re probably right.”

Chuckling, I asked her to repeat what she said, and she responded with a strangely powerful shove before walking over to my vehicle. By the time I arrived, her hand was outstretched for the keys, but she hesitated before getting inside.

“You didn’t do anything to the car, did you? Like, cut the brake line or something like that?”

“Why would I do that, cricket?”

“So I’m framed for your murder. The ultimate prank.”

“Wow, you are paranoid. Just get in the car and find a place for us to talk.”

“I don’t fully trust you.”

“Well, I’m trusting you to drive me somewhere safely…”

I let my confession linger, opening the door for her, and I smiled as she nodded subtly and slunk down into the driver seat. After shutting her inside, I moved around the car and got into the passenger seat. Without a word, she turned on the car and pulled us out onto Main Street. Soon, we were headed toward a path I was very familiar with.

As if she could read my mind, Aspen informed me that we were going to Sunny Book Farms.

“You’re welcome to stay at the bed-and-breakfast with your mom, if you’d like, but I figured you could stay at one of the ranch houses. We have a few vacant.”

“Thanks, that’s really nice of you.”

“Don’t get too excited. It’s not long-term, but I may be able to get a place for you while your home. I just need to ask my sister Rory.”

“You don’t have to do any of this, Aspen.”

“I know.”

It was refreshing that she didn’t offer an explanation or use it as a one-up on me. Maybe she felt a bit bad about everything that transpired earlier today with my mother and my childhood home, but none of that was her fault.

“I owe you.”