Page 91 of One Golden Summer

“I’m harmless. The weapon in question is rainbow coloured. That should put you at ease.”

“This is silk, not piano wire.” Saffron held it in both hands, like an offering to a Greek goddess. “You can trust me.”

“Can I?” Kirsty’s penetrating grey eyes locked onto her target.

“Yes. Look—can you lower the stick, rainbow or not? You wielding it like you’re about to smash my skull in, is intimidating as hell and this is hard enough.” Saffron slouched her shoulders to appear less intimidating.

Kirsty let it drop to her side.

“I know I mishandled the website snafu—”

“How could you believe I was involved?” Kirsty tapped the stick against her chest.

“It was my worst-case scenario coming to fruition, or so I thought. Having someone use my name for their own profit. I didn’t stop to think. I only reacted. I’m sorry.” Saffron splayed a hand over her chest. “Really,reallysorry.”

“Are you going to blindfold me or not?” Kirsty used the stick to point to the scarf.

“Does that mean you accept my apology?”

“I’m considering it.” Kirsty wheeled about. “I want to whack this ring.”

“Is that right?” Saffron tied the cloth around Kirsty’s eyes. “Do you have a thing against rings?”

“Not necessarily, but it’s here and I think better when in motion.” She pranced on her feet like a prize fighter. “I’m ready.”

Saffron laughed and placed a hand on each of Kirsty’s shoulders. “I’m going to spin you three times, and then you can take a swing.”

“Why do you have to spin me?”

“It’s the rule.”

“Why do Americans like this?”

“Got me.” Saffron twirled Kirsty once, keeping her hands firmly on her. “Ready for another?”

“Yes.”

After the third rotation, Saffron steadied Kirsty. “On the count of three, do your best. One… two… two and a half… three!”

Kirsty took a swing, barely hitting the pinata, shuffling on her feet as if she was about to fall.

Saffron reached out to steady her, but Kirsty, still blindfolded, was already winding up for another whack, with Saffron as the target. “Whoa! Don’t shoot, cowgirl. You’re aiming at my head.”

Kirsty slapped the weapon into her palm, making a thwacking sound. “And, you think that’s an accident?”

Saffron laughed. “I’m an optimist that way.”

“You hurt me.” Kirsty whacked her palm with a much louder slapping sound.

“I’m truly sorry.” Saffron tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but it took a couple of attempts.

“That night was also my worst-case scenario coming to life. I’ve been taken for granted and cheated on.”

“It breaks my heart that you thought me capable of hopping from your bed into Echo’s.” Saffron massaged her heart.

“Try being me. I remember her text saying her bed was lonely without you.” Another thwack of the stick into her palm.

“Okay, I see your point and I want to clear this up right now. I didn’t sleep with her that night.”