Page 22 of Dream On, Ramona Riley

Ramona frowned. “Normal stuff.”

Dylan laughed, shook her head. “I know, it sounds ridiculous—”

“It doesn’t,” Ramona said. “I just need more information.”

Dylan nodded—self-deprecation was a favorite practice of hers, she knew, but she didn’t expect Ramona, a stranger, to recognize it so quickly.

“Right,” Dylan said. “I don’t get to do this very often. Hikes. Be in nature. Go…I don’t know. Bowling.”

“Bowling.”

“Or play Putt-Putt. I’ve never actually played Putt-Putt before.”

Ramona’s eyes widened, but sparkled with humor. “How is that even possible?”

“I know!” Dylan said, smiling. “That’s my point. I need this. I think it’s good for me to just…get in touch withme, you know? Not Dylan Monroe, butme. And other people, like you, who aren’t out for the whole Dylan Monroe experience.”

Ramona’s expression went soft. “Okay,” she said slowly.

Dylan took a deep breath. “So…I know you’re doing a lot for me at the diner already, and you have your own life, but could we…”

“Play Putt-Putt?” Ramona said, brows lifted.

Dylan released a relieved laugh. “Yes. And other stuff. Stuff without the whole town snapping photos of me when I get mad and throw my golf club.”

“Oh, god, you’re an Aries, aren’t you?”

Dylan mouth dropped open. “How did you know?”

“My best friend is obsessed with astrology. You’d probably love her.”

“Okay, well, let’s all go play Putt-Putt, then. And forage for mushrooms. And swim at a quiet spot in the lake. I bet you know all the secret places, don’t you?”

Ramona shook her head, but smiled as she gazed off toward the lake. But then her smile dipped, her eyes going distant as though she was lost in a memory.

“Ramona?” Dylan asked. “If it’s too much, I understand. I just thought maybe—”

“No, no, it’s just…” Ramona trailed off, blinking at the lake.

Dylan’s chest went tight. “It’s fine, Ramona. Really.”

Ramona looked at her, eyes searching hers for so long, Dylan was sure she was discovering every single secret, every pretense.

“No, let’s do it,” Ramona said. “I’ll be your guide to all things normal and mundane.”

“Yeah?” Dylan said. “You’re sure?”

Ramona nodded, her motions fast as she started walking. “Starting with a little stop by my best friend’s tattoo shop.”

Dylan’s smile was so big, her cheeks hurt as she rushed to keep up. “I’ve always wanted a tattoo.”

Chapter

Five

Ramona was infull-blown panic mode.

Granted, her panic mode took the form of serene smiles and calmly walking down a sidewalk with a very famous person next to her, all while her heart rammed against her ribs at what felt like two hundred beats per minute.