Page 41 of Yours, Always
“Not today. The doctor was pretty clear that he needed to rest for at least seventy-two hours.”
Devlin started pouring the coffees. “What a bummer, he finally comes home, then has to rest for three days after getting concussed. Have you talked to him at all since…the incident?”
“We may have texted last night.” Prudence avoided Devlin’s stare.
Devlin stopped. “Last night,” she stated.
“Um, yes. Or maybe it was early this morning.”
“Oh, you didn’t, Pru.”
“It was completely innocent.” Devlin shot her a look. “I swear!”
“What exactly did you talk about, young lady?”
“Well… It was really dorky. I told him that I was going to help with the Bee’sfloat tomorrow, if he thought he could break out and come help.”
“Okay, that’s not too bad,” Devlin said slowly.
“Umm…then I started making puns.”
“What kind of puns?” Devlin asked. “What kind of puns, Prudence?” she repeated more forcefully when Prudence didn’t answer.
“Okay, it wasn’t innocent. I made sex puns…terrible parade-related sex puns. Sex-related parade puns?”
“You didn’t!”
“I guess I did.”
“Prudence, you are so not the sex puns type of girl. What came over you?”
“Greyson almost came over me, that’s what happened! It’s like I don’t understand anything anymore. I don’t know why I did it.”
“Let me see your phone.” Devlin reached for Prudence’s phone on the counter.
“Absolutely not, Devlin.” Prudence pulled it out of reach, then thought better of it and handed it to her. “Fine. Tell me if it’s as bad as I think it is.”
Devlin took Prudence’s phone and started scrolling. “Oh no. Oh no. That’s terrible! Okay, that one’s funny. Oh, that one is not good.”
Prudence grabbed the phone back from Devlin’s hand. “I should’ve left my phone with Annabelle!” She wailed. “All he said was…” She looked at her phone. “‘Ah yes, tonight must be ladies’ night. Goodnight, Pru’. With a winky face. What does a winky face mean? We’re not in high school, I don’t understand adult winky faces!”
“He was probably embarrassed, Pru. Especially if he doesn’t remember…the incident. There were a few doozies in there. Cut him some slack.”
Prudence took a deep breath, setting her phone on the counter. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right.” She nodded. “Thank you, Devlin.”
Devlin handed Prudence the coffee carrier. “Don’t beat yourself up. You’ll see him tomorrow and everything will fall right into place.”
* * * *
“Oh shit,” Prudence said to herself as she walked into the Amber Falls Bee parking lot. She’d gotten a later start than expected and everybody else was already there working on the float. Everybody else, including Greyson.Damn. He wasn’t supposed to be here today, her invitation notwithstanding.I’m supposed to have one more day to get my shit together before I see him at the maze. She squared her shoulders and marched straight ahead, determined not to be embarrassed by either making out with him or sending him sexy text messages, whether he remembered or not.
Greyson turned as she approached. “Hey, Pru.” His grin was devilish. “How are you feeling today?”
“You know exactly how I’m feeling, Greyson.”
“I guess I do.” Greyson tweaked the large sunglasses perched on Prudence’s nose. “It seems like you had a good time last night with the girls.”
Prudence couldn’t help but grin. “Any time I get to spend time with Annabelle and Devlin is always a good time. Especially when there’s copious amounts of wine involved.”