Page 58 of Wild Lies

“Fine,” I huff, in mock annoyance. “We’ll do it.” I pause before the grin I can’t contain splits my face in two. “But for real, Gray, I’d be honored.”

Wyatt being Wyatt says, “Whatever he said. Besides, don’t the single best men get their pick of the bridesmaids?”

“You’re gonna be related to them all,” Grayson teases with a wink, before riding off toward the fenceline.

Wyatt retches, his body moving with the rhythm of his horse as he follows Gray at a slow pace and calls, “Gross. Doesn’t Ave know any hot country singers?”

Why he’s always got to think with his dick is beyond me. The day that Wyatt Wilde settles down will be the day cows start herding themselves. He likes to keep his options open when it comes to matters of the heart, or so he says. The truth is, I think he’s got a thing for someone he refuses to let himself have.

With Wyatt and Grayson distracted with talk about who Wy can hit on at the wedding, I pull my phone out to read the message I got earlier.

Chloe

I’m going to look at storage lockers today. So much fun *eye roll emoji*. If all goes well, I’ll hire a van to start moving things out. Are we still calling tonight?

Kade

I can feel your sarcasm through the phone, buttercup. But it’ll be worth it. I promise.

And yes to the call tonight.

Would take a grizzly bear to keep me away from you.

Chloe

Don’t joke about that, Kade. Not when you literally live in a state where that is even a remote possibility!!

Kade

Oh no! There’s a bear. It’s going to get me.

Chloe

*middle finger emoji*

Kade

Talk tonight, buttercup.

My thumb hovers over the screen longer than it should. It’s only been a matter of hours, but I miss her like crazy. Exhaling heavily, I press send. Only a little over seventy-two hours to go until she’ll be back here, and I can finally breathe.

36

CHLOE

I’ve been back in Seattle for a day, and I already miss Kade, and Coldwater, like crazy. It just reaffirmed that, as mad as this whole thing is—with moving to a new town, and accepting Maddie’s offer— it’s the right thing for me. We video-called last night, but it’s not the same as being there and feeling the warmth of his skin against mine as we talk or watch the day turn to night.

The knock on my apartment door has me abandoning the clothes I was sorting through and rushing through the space, weaving through the boxes—some full, some empty. I know that the mess is what comes with packing up your life, but I honestly didn’t think I owned this much stuff.

Throwing the door open, I grin widely as Maya stands in the hall. She’s holding a takeout coffee cup in each hand with a brown paper bag swinging from her wrist and a smile that matches my own.

“Girl, it is so good to see you.”

“You too, and I have so much to catch you up on,” I rush, my excitement palpable.

Her brows rise and eyes widen. “You sure do. When you said you had some news, I thought you meant you’d gotten a job. What’s all this?”

I roll my lips together, rocking back on my heels as I take the cup she holds out. I bring it to my lips, biting back my grin. “Technically, I do have a job. You remember I told you that I met someone?” She nods, and I continue, “Well, I’m moving to Montana.”