And he looked like that when we scrambled away from each other on the beach when Bodhi interrupted us.
And even though it was a surprise to hear all the things my mom and Emily said about the way Shepherd has looked at me when I wasn’t paying attention since then, I caught that look about him a few times myself these last few weeks when I’ve glanced back over my shoulder at him. I’ve just never had anyone look at me like that, and I didn’t know what I was actually seeing. Shepherd really does want me. He just doesn’t think he should for some ridiculous reason.
“In conclusion, you wearing his name on your back is basically like a dude pissing all over his woman,” Emily finishes, making me grimace at that visual. “You’re claiming that man as yours in bold, all caps, and bright purple. It was different when he first got here, because you weren’t his yet and he had to control himself. He doesn’t have to control himself anymore; he just needs to be reminded of that.”
Emily gets closer to the screen and lowers her voice.
“Honey, you better have something in that back room to hold on tight to this time.”
I shiver at her words, so many visuals flashing through my mind I should be ashamed of myself, since my freaking mother is sitting right next to me, but it’s no use now that Emily has put the thoughts in there. I’m so anxious to get this plan in motion I kind of want to scream about why we’re still just sitting around here doing nothing.
I’ve been careful not to wear any of my shirts with Shepherd’s name on them since he got here, because I just had a feeling he’d never stop teasing me. But that’s clearly been my problem. Maybe I should have been the one teasing him.
“Come closer, little one,” Emily encourages through the screen, crooking her finger at me with an evil smile. “We don’t have much time as soon as that text is sent, and I have much to teach you. Laura, I’m putting you in charge of Wren’s phone, because I don’t trust her to follow through.”
“Heeey,” I complain. “I can send one little text.”
“Right, but what if he replies?” Emily asks. “You’re going to feel guilty and come clean, and then all this will be for naught. You get to bat first, but your mom gets to play cleanup if needed.”
With a sigh, I reluctantly agree, since they have more experience with this than me, hoping all this shit pays off.Wren: I’m so sorry to bother you! I know you’re busy with your parents. When you get this, could you come to the Dip and Twist? No rush or anything! It’s just… I sort of dropped something on my foot, and no one else is answering their phones. I’m fine! I’m not like that old lady from the commercial, “Help! I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” I’m quite comfortable in a chair actually; I just don’t think I can drive my golf cart home.
Shepherd “Hottest Man I’ve Ever Kissed” Oliver: I’m on my way. DON’T MOVE.
Wren: I just noticed you changed your name in my phone. And thank you for coming!
Wren: Scratch that. Don’t tell me what to do. If I want to move, I’ll move. I just crossed my legs. What are you gonna do about it, Oliver? Spank me?
Wren: I didn’t mean to say that last thing.
Wren: Yes, I did. Ignore that text. Spank me, big daddy.
Wren: etyufv98tiwljr;kfd;’afl6789
Shepherd “Hottest Man I’ve Ever Kissed” Oliver: Did you hit your head too??? DON’T MOVE.By the time I hear a golf cart skidding through the gravel of the Dip and Twist parking lot outside and come to a stop, I’ve remembered each and every old Lamaze breathing technique and have been using them to keep me calm while I waited. I needed to pull out every trick in the book to remain calm after the wrestling match for my phone I had with my mother during that stupid text exchange until she finally left me alone to go home.
Now, I’m standing here facing the chest freezer, my palms resting on top and my eyes closed after following Emily’s strict instructions, hee-hee’ing and hoo-hoo’ing my breaths when I hear the back door fly open so hard it probably smacks against the outside bricks, and a momentary flash of guilt flies through me.
“Wren?!” Shepherd shouts, my breathing technique coming to a halt when I hear his panicked voice and forget how to breathe.
This man thinks I have a head wound, and now I’m probably going to confirm it. Also, why in the hell do we keep it so cold in here? I should be wearing more clothing.
“Wren! Where are—Fuucking Jesus Christ.”
I know exactly when Shepherd gets around the corner and sees me when his voice immediately goes from panicked to WTF. I make sure not to fidget nervously with my back to him, even though I really, really want to. Following Emily’s strict instructions, my T-shirt with Shepherd’s name across the back is now pulled up and tied into a knot right under my boobs with my torso on full display. And since I’ve clearly lost my mind this evening and I’m so desperate I’ll do whatever anyone tells me, my jean shorts are now neatly folded on a shelf, and I’m just here in a pair of black cotton, cheeky hipsters with my back to Shepherd, pretending to be casually standing in front of the freezer with my goddamn pants off in my place of business—what in the holy sweet shit am I doing!