Kiss and Don't Tell(122)

I go to set my phone down, only for it to buzz in my hand.

Pacey: I’m glad it arrived. Enjoy it. I got some delivered to my place as well. Have a good night.

Oh . . . that was also short and sweet. To the point. For some reason, I expected more from him.

Confused, I text him back.

Winnie: You too.

“How is our main man?” Max asks, hopping over the couch and joining me.

I set my phone down, my thoughts running a mile a minute. “Good. He told me to have a good night.”

“Huh?” Max says, looking as confused as I feel. “That’s it?”

“Yeah. That’s it.”

“Well . . . I guess . . . we should toast to him tonight.”

“I guess so.”





“Look at this,” I say to Katherine as we take a walk through the park across from our townhome. “Ants are so fascinating, aren’t they?”

“Are you asking me to look at an ant hill?”

“Yes, look. Do you think they all have their own apartments underground?”

“I know one thing.” Katherine crosses her arms. “They sure as hell don’t have a proper way of preventing assholes from destroying their homes.”

I squat down and watch the little guys work in and out of their home.

“Is this what life has come to? Staring at ant hills?”

“You can go home if you want,” I say. “I know too much fresh air can be toxic to your well-being.”

“I’m glad you get me.” Without another word, Katherine heads back toward the house as I decide to take a seat in the grass, right next to the sidewalk.

I stare up at the partially cloudy sky and take in the sun, welcoming the warm rays as they soak into my skin.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I take it out to find a text from Pacey. I can’t help my physical reaction as my pulse picks up and my stomach does a somersault from the sight of his name.

I open up his text message.

Pacey: Hope you’re having a good day.

It’s so simple, and yet, it feels . . . good. He’s thinking about me. Going about his day, he makes time to see how I’m doing.

I text him back.

Winnie: I am. Thank you. Sitting in a park right now, in the grass, looking up at the sky. What are you doing?

I send the text before I can change my mind. I’m engaging in conversation, and even though that’s scary, I think Max is right—no one has ever made me happier and maybe I should give this a chance. Pacey didn’t get the chance to explain why he hid his relationship with Josh, but I have wondered if Max was right. And I never thought of Pacey as someone who’d lie to protect himself . . . so maybe I need to be willing to ask in this situation, rather than assume. He really isn’t someone who’d use me as a pawn . . .

My phone buzzes and I still my breath as I peek down at it.

Pacey: Sounds as if you’re finding some peace. I’m headed home from the arena. Just got done with some PT.

Guilt consumes me as I quickly text him back.

Winnie: Oh my God, I never asked you what the doctor said. Is everything okay?

I impatiently stare at my phone, waiting for a response. Thankfully, he texts back quickly, the little dots indicating I’m about to get a response.

Pacey: Apparently my neck is fucked up from many years of abuse, and then the slap shot to the head tipped everything over the edge. Working with Doc on a solid therapy program. Won’t be heading back to Banff this summer, hence the cider.

I let out a sigh of relief and text him back.

Winnie: That’s really great to hear. I’m sure you’re relieved.

Pacey: I am. Doc has been pretty easy on me so far, but that’s because he’s taking it slow, not wanting to spike a migraine. I know he’s going to increase the therapy and it’s going to be a bitch.

Winnie: I’m sure you can handle it. Are you missing the boys?

Pacey: They actually all came home. I think Taters and Hornsby are going to head back to the cabin, but Posey and Holmes are staying in town. Posey mentioned something about his fear of packing on the pounds with access to fudge and me not being there to stop him.

Winnie: I never would’ve guessed he’d be concerned about his figure.

Pacey: A new development. Have you had any of the cider?

Winnie: Max and I drank all of it the other night. It went down quick. You?

Pacey: Destroyed it. Posey of course helped me.

Winnie: I wouldn’t think any less.

Pacey: Yeah . . . well, just wanted to make sure you were having a good day.

Winnie: Thank you. That was sweet.

Pacey: All right. Enjoy the sun, Winnie.

Smiling, I set my phone down and lift my chin to the sky again, closing my eyes. This is something I miss doing with my mom. How often did we simply sit outside in the sun and appreciate its warmth?

Mom, did you have anything to do with this? You read all of those romance books, and I’m pretty sure you’re orchestrating this entire thing for your pleasure.





Ding—dong.

“Katherine, don’t even bother,” Max says, going to the door before Katherine can fly down the stairs and fire off an obnoxious round of questions at the person on the other side of the door, questions that include: who sent you, who do you work for, how much are they paying you, and are you aware the Ring camera is recording everything you’re saying?