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“Mhmm.” I closed my eyes and listened to the faint rustling coming from the other side of the receiver. Just when I felt like I was going to fall asleep, Sincere’s voice cut in.

“What did you do today, Goldy?”

“Think about you.”

Another quiet laugh and an even quieter sigh touched my ears. “And what else?”

“I worked on stuff for the bookstore and then I came to Ruby’s house. Did you know she has a dog? She’s so sweet. And she’s pregnant. I want a dog so bad, Sincere. But I can’t live in my van with it. I know some people do it, but I’m not made for that life.”

“I hear you, love.”

“Mr. Pauly gave me some moonshine.”

“Did he?”

“Yes.”

“How much did you have, beautiful?”

“Three fingers.”

“Is that why you’re calling me?”

“No. I was gonna call you anyway. I wanted to see you. All I did was think about you today. Did you think about me?”

“You have no idea, Goldy.” God, I really loved his voice. It sounded so good when he said my name.

“I love it when you call me Goldy.” My head lolled against the back of my chair. “I love it when you call me anything.”

We talked—well, I talked and he listened until he pulled up on the side of the house and walked right up to us on the back deck.

I couldn’t wipe the lazy smile off my face if I tried when he dipped his head to greet Ms. Ruby first and kiss her cheek.

“You taking my girl away from me?”

Sincere nodded, looking at me before fixing his eyes back on Ruby. “Is it okay if we leave her van here for the night? I’ll bring her back to get it tomorrow.”

“It don’t make me no never mind. She can leave it as long as she wants. Whole summer if need be,” Ruby said and I sworeI saw a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. But I was drunk, soeverythinglooked like a twinkle.

My heavy eyes moved from her to Sincere and stayed on him because he looked so damn good. He had a casually preppy style he pulled off so easily.

The few times I’d seen him, he was wearing a pastel button up, cuffed to show off his forearms, unbuttoned to the center of his chest and showcasing a few gold chains around his neck. Yesterday at Lucky’s he’d been wearing navy shorts and white sneakers with a mint green one. Today he had on a peach shirt with light-wash jeans and brown leather shoes.

“Hey, love,” he said, appearing in front of me. When his fingers grazed the side of my cheek, I closed my eyes on instinct.

“You came.”

“Of course, I did.” His lips slanted in a half smile. “Ready to go?”

“Yes.” That’s all I got to say before he had me scooped up in his arms, carrying me bridal style to his Bronco. When Sincere reached over me to fasten my seatbelt, I remembered. “We have to say goodbye to Ms. Ruby.”

“We already did, love.”

Oh.

“I’m really glad you called me.” Then he kissed my forehead, gave me another smile and closed the passenger door.

“Should we be worried?”Lorenzo tossed me an apprehensive glance.