“I CAN’T BELIEVE we’re actually doing this.”
I plop down next to Pippa on her bed, joining her in staring at the ceiling. “I can’t believe you’re moving in to the dorms first. I know you’re going to pick out the better bed.”
Pippa turns her head to face me, a wide grin on her face. “I was going to pick the better bed to begin with.”
I laugh. “I’m still a little jealous that you’re arriving a few days earlier than me.”
I’m lying. I’m not jealous in the slightest that Pippa is leaving Sutten early. If anything, I wish I could stay here a little longer. The idea of leaving Cade is getting harder and harder. I want to see the world with Pippa, I just wish I didn’t have this feeling that doing that will be the end of Cade and me.
“What if I don’t get the job?” Pippa chews on her bottom lip anxiously.
Sighing, I push off my elbows and turn to face her. Everyone that meets Pippa instantly falls in love with her. It’s hard not to love Pippa. “You’re going to get the job. They’d be stupid not to hire you.”
Pippa mimics my position, the two of us lying on her bed facing each other. She traces the floral pattern of her comforter with her finger. “I know it’s just a barista position, but I’m hoping they’ll want me. And then eventually, maybe they’ll even let me into the kitchen.”
“You’ll steamroll your way into the kitchen. I have no doubts.” While I’m going to college to get a liberal arts degree in creative writing, Pippa is going for business management. Her dream is to one day open a bakery here in Sutten, and with her determination and a personality that everyone falls in love with, I have no doubt she’ll achieve it. Her interview with our college town bakery and coffee shop is definitely a way for her to get a foot in the door in her industry.
I’m a little sad to not have her here with me these last few days before I join her at school. Both of her parents are going down with her to help her move. We were all supposed to go together, but Pippa got the interview at the last minute, and with Cade having to stay behind to hold down the ranch, I had to make up an excuse to be able to stay, too.
I want these last days with him. I want to broach the subject of what happens when I leave. I’m sad to see my best friend go, but happy about the extra time with Cade.
Most of all, I want us to make it long distance. But first, I have to make sure there even is an us.
Pippa flips to her stomach, her legs kicking at the air as she stares ahead of her. “My room looks a little sad all packed up.”
I sit up, looking around her room. Two large suitcases sit near her door. “If you think your room looks sad, you should see mine.”
Most of my belongings fit into my own two suitcases. There are some things packed into a few boxes that dad will have to store somewhere, but for the most part, I was able to fit everything into the bags the airline allows me to check.
“We’ll have to get new stuff anyway. First we need to feel out the vibe of the campus. Is it normal to dress up every day for classes or can we just rock our leggings and hoodies and call it good?”
“You’ll wear whatever you want.”
Pippa winks at me. “Obviously.”
Something catches her attention over my shoulder. She smiles, popping off the bed. I turn around to find Cade stepping into her room.
He looks good in a Jennings Ranch T-shirt with the sleeves cutoff, bringing way too much attention to his muscles. He holds a plaid shirt, one I’m hoping he’s going to put on so I’m not so distracted by how much I want to jump his bones. His jeans are worn and faded, molding to his sculpted thighs and ass perfectly.
Damn. He really has no business looking this good when I can’t do anything but smile awkwardly at him since Pippa is here to witness any interaction between us.
“Mom sent me up here to grab you,” Cade explains. He risks a glance over at me, but quickly focuses back on Pippa.
I bite back a smile, remembering all the places on me his lips caressed last night.
Pippa whines, turning to face me with her bottom lip jutting out. She rushes toward me and leaps onto the bed before landing on top of me.
I scream, laughing, as Pippa envelopes me in the biggest hug. “I’m not ready to say goodbye.”
We squeeze each other, a tangle of hair and limbs on her bed. “You’ll see me in a few days,” I encourage her. The words are meant to soothe me as well. Pippa and I aren’t used to being away from each other like this. And even though I’m looking forward to spending my last days with Cade under the guise of not wanting to leave my dad too early, I’m going to miss Pippa like crazy.
“That’s a few days too long. Why don’t you just come with me?”
“You know I can’t leave my dad yet.”
She groans, clutching me tightly. “Maybe I don’t need to do the interview.”
I roll my eyes, pushing her off me so I can look her in the eye. “Pippa, you can’t cancel the interview. It’s your first step at taking the bakery world by storm. Plus, this is your chance to have all the fun before your boring, responsible, friend comes to ruin the party.” I reach out and rub a tear from her cheek.
She nods, looking up at her ceiling for a moment.
Cade clears his throat, catching both of our attention. He fixes the hat on his head, looking between the two of us. “What if Mare comes with us? I can bring her back. It could give the two of you more time together…”
“Yes!” Pippa squeals, tackling me to the bed all over again.
“You’re choking her,” Cade points out, humor in his voice as Pippa squeezes me with all her might.
I laugh when she finally pulls away, brushing pieces of hair out of my face.
“What do you say, Goldie? Keep me company on the drive back from the airport?”
My heart pounds against my chest when I meet Cade’s eyes. I can’t look away from him. He’s being so obvious right in front of his sister, but I can’t seem to care. I love the thought of riding back with him.
Cade and I have never been off the ranch together. This is our chance. After we drop Jasper, Linda, and Pippa off at the airport, we can do whatever we want.
“It’ll be fun,” Pippa interjects, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “You’ll survive the car ride home with Cade. Please see me off at the airport.”
I bite my lip to try and hide how excited I am to ride back with Cade. The two of us share a look. His eyebrows rise to his hairline as he challenges me to give her an answer.
“Yeah, I guess I’ll survive.”
