Page 43 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

She looks up at me over the laptop she’s been typing away on. “Oh, sure. You can bring her back afterwards. I’m fine with that.”

“Thanks. I’ll be back soon.” I grab my purse and jog to my car.

I thank my lucky stars after I manage to buy the last booster seat in town, and somehow figure out how to get it safely strapped into my car in time.

Evelyn looks confused for half a beat when she looks at my car before she realizes who I am. “Hadley,” she squeals.

“Hey, kiddo. I hope it’s okay, I’m getting you today.”

“Best day ever,” she exclaims, climbing in the back and buckling herself in.

“Your dad asked me to come get you, so we’re going to hang out at the shelter for a bit. Then, we can go back to your house.” I glance in the rearview mirror to see her nodding eagerly.

Evelyn is sprawled out on the floor in Sienna’s office, coloring pictures of animals she wants to pin up in the entryway.

Sienna and I have been brushing the dogs. I saved Cash for last.

As soon as I let him out of his kennel, he makes a beeline for Evelyn. He gives her kisses before coming back in and plopping down in my lap, acting like he weighs fifteen pounds instead of sixty.

Sienna and I both laugh as I start to brush him. Clumps of his black fur come off, and I discard them into a pile at my side.

“So, why did Austin ask you to pick her up?” Sienna asks me, leaning back on her hands now that she’s finished with the dog she was brushing.

“There was an accident outside of town, and his parents couldn’t get through.”

She shakes her head. “No, I mean, why did he askyouto get her?”

Oh. I set the brush to the side, running my hands over Cash’s soft fur.

“Is something going on with you two?” she adds.

“Uh… I don’t know. Not really. I mean… maybe.”

She snorts out a laugh. “Sounds complicated.”

If only she knew.But why can’t she know? She’s my friend, and I really don’t want to keep this bottled up anymore.

“Okay, can I tell you something?” I ask, staring into her eyes.

Her expression grows more serious. “Of course, Hads. You can always talk to me.”

“I have feelings for Austin.” A smile spreads across her face. “But I also have feelings for Conrad and Brooks.”

She tilts her head to the side, clearly trying to see if I’m messing with her. “You’re serious?”

“Yup.”

“How? How did that happen?”

Cash shifts around on my lap until I start petting him again. I explain how I hooked up with Conrad when I didn’t know who he was, the kiss against the side of the house, the kiss with Austin in the pantry, the moment with the twins in the bathroom.

It feels so good to let it all out and talk to someone about all of it.

She smirks at me. “Damn, girl. You’ve got all of them wrapped around your finger.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“I do. How do they feel about sharing you?”