Page 55 of Unruly

Fine dust coats me and everything in the general vicinity. Moving in circles all over the wood, I finally finish the first one. Switching off the sander, I run my palm over the wood, checking for any rough spots I might have missed.

Looks good enough.

Losing myself in the rhythm, I knock the rest of the cabinet doors out in no time.

Left with nothing but my thoughts, my mind drifts back to last night.

The way his hands felt all over me … made me feel alive in a way I don’t think I ever have with someone. It sends a thrill down my spine.

I check the time on my phone once I finish sanding the last one down, seeing it’s about 4:30.

I can maybe get a couple doors coated in primer.

Wiping everything down to get the dust off of it, and prepping to start painting the cabinets with primer, my phone buzzes again.

Cash:

Meet me at the ranch tomorrow at 6.

Me:

Do I have to pick you up for our date? I knew you were young but damn.

Cash:

No. But my plans involve the ranch.

Me:

I’m not going there. Rhett and Colt will see my car.

Cash:

Bring the bike. We can hide it in Dawson’s barn.

Me:

Fine. I’ll be there tomorrow at 6.

HALLE

Me:

How’s work been today?

Me:

I’m wearing that skirt you wanted me in…

Me:

Want to guess what I’m wearing under it?

This is stupid.

I glance down at my phone for what has to be the fifth time in the last hour. The screen is still blank. No text. No missed call. No notification. The lock screen photo stares back at me.

It shouldn’t matter. But I’d be a liar if I said it didn’t.