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“Please, Ford. Let me,” I interrupt with a too-perky tone and tilt of my lips. “It’s the darndest story.” I shift my voice to a stage whisper. “When we were young, he couldn’t keep his fingers out of my—”

“Scotty,” Ford snaps, hard edge to his voice. “Enough.”

I give him an innocent look and he turns his entire body, making his back form a wall separating me from them.

Chickenshit.

They fall into conversation, and I push my plate across the bar, appetite gone. I take my wallet out of my purse and wave a credit card to Ben who takes it.

At the back of Ford’s neck the familiar star-shaped birthmark just behind his right ear catches my eye. When Anna laughs, for a split second I wonder if he kisses her thumbnail like he used to kiss mine.

Then I remember: I don’t care if he does. Ihopehe does. I hope she shoves her whole damn finger down his whole damn throat.

As they keep talking and laughing, my annoyance is replaced by peace. Maybe even glee. I don’t have to deal with this, I’m leaving. I didn’t know it before but I sure as hell do now: I can’t breathe in this town because I can’t stay in this town. I’ve served my time. When Lydia offered me the house, my mind went to the desert, so that’s where I’ll go. Start over. Be excited. Live in the land of eternal sand, sunshine, and sexy cowboys.

I stand and slide my stool under the bar.

“Good catching up, Scotty,” Ford says.

I sign my bill, flicking my gaze to Ford as Anna wraps her hand around his bicep; there’s a challenging look in her eyes as she stakes her claim.All yours.

“Sure.”

“Friends?” he asks, eyes searching mine. A shade of blue still so distinctly and catastrophically him.

“Ha!” I shout too loudly as I sling my purse over my shoulder and throw back the rest of my drink, slamming the empty glass down harder than necessary. “I’ll make you a deal, Ford. You change the fact you ran off to live your best life while I spent years—”Nope. Not giving him more than he deserves. “You change that you left, without so much as a goodbye, and we can bebestfriends. Hell, you change that, and I’ll get your pretty little face tattooed on me.” He says nothing, but his eyes stay locked on mine. “And, sweetheart?” I look at Anna, leaning slightly over Ford so she knows two can play this game. “As the woman he fucked first, you won’t do it for him.”

She gawks; I give her a pouty smile.

I start to leave but stop, leaning in so close to Ford my mouth brushes against his ear as I lower my voice to a whisper. “Go fuck yourself, Golden Boy.”

His jaw pops; I grin.

I hate that man.

June

Do you know what it means when I find out my best friend got a house on the lake from my mother-in-law who heard it at the grocery store from Archie Watkins’s sister-in-law’s niece?!

Scotty

I’m selling it and moving.

You are not. To where?

The desert. I’m thinking Arizona. Still researching.

Not allowed.

And we’re renovating our kitchen and it’s going to take a while.

Over four months.

I need you to host Thanksgiving. I’ve been meaning to ask you.

I can’t host Thanksgiving! And this house needs a shit ton of work. So. I. Can.Sell. It. And. Move.

Move later. You can and you will. I need you to do this. Please.