I needed it.” She was grateful for that. “So I guess what I’m saying is, it did mean something. But not like a romantic something. What I really needed that night was a friend. I just got wrapped up in the other stuff.”
Through the phone, she could hear Logan exhale. “I feel the exact same way.”
“Really?” CJ sighed with relief. “I feel so stupid. I was just so caught up in college applications and all that pressure that was on me—”
“Yes. Exactly!”
Logan said some other things, but CJ didn’t hear any of it. Because it was at that exact moment that she swore she saw a horse walk into her front yard. She sat up. It couldn’t be a horse. She went to her window and looked out. It was definitely a horse. Right there on her lawn. And the horse was not alone.
“Uh, Logan. I have to go.” She hung up before he could respond.
CJ ran to her window and threw it open. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Clarke Josephine Jacobson,” said Wyatt from the saddle of a beautiful brown horse, “I’ve come atop this mighty steed to give you a message.”
CJ smiled. “I’ll be right out.”
When CJ opened the front door, Wyatt was waiting for her. He’d taken up a very regal, very George Washington pose.
“You’re crazy,” she said as she walked up to him. “How did you even get this thing here?”
“This thing is named Cocoa Puff.”
“Hi, Cocoa Puff,” she said. Then she looked up at Wyatt, seriously craning her neck to do it.
“So this is what it’s like to be taller than you,” Wyatt said.
“Seriously, Wyatt. How did you get a horse into my development? I don’t even think we’re zoned for this.”
“Can you not with the questions right now?”
CJ made a big show of closing her mouth.
“I got the letter.”
CJ smiled. She was so proud. The nonprofit had picked them. Their park was going to get all the money it needed to make it wonderfully inclusive.
“I also got the message you wrote at the bottom of the letter.”
This time she didn’t smile. She was too nervous about how he would respond. Her hand had been shaking when she’d written it. I should have you kissed you in the bathroom that day. But you should have kissed me too. We were both afraid. How about we be afraid together?
CJ looked down at her feet. There were hoof divots all over her father’s freshly mowed lawn. Everything about this was crazy. “Aren’t you going to say something?” CJ asked.
“No, Clarke. There’s absolutely nothing I want to say. I just want to kiss you.”
She looked up. Wyatt draped his hand down and CJ took it. He squeezed. She squeezed back. Twice.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“It’s how my friends and I say ‘I love you.’”
“Well, then. Here.” He squeezed her hand twice.
Then he helped her up onto the horse. She put her arms around him and he turned his head. This time there was no hesitation and no fear. Their lips found each other like it was the easiest, most wonderful thing in the world.
When they finally pulled away, Wyatt spoke. “So… you wanna ride off into the sunset?”
CJ nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
CJ held on tightly and thought about how she never wanted to let him go.
Martha stood at the glass door of the movie theater and felt impatient. Logan was late. She wouldn’t blame him if he was having second thoughts. A second later, she saw him turn the corner and half walk, half jog to the door. Martha opened it immediately. “You’re late,” she said.
“I know. I’m sorry. I was coming from my therapist.”
“Oh. Okay, then. I just thought maybe you’d changed your mind.”
“Nope,” he said. “I’m all in.”
Martha took a breath. “I can’t believe we’re really doing this.”
“I know,” Logan said. “Me neither. I think there are going to be a lot of shocked people when they find out.”
“Screw ’em,” Martha said. “They’ll get over it.” She took another breath. “Okay. Let’s make this official.” She reached into her pocket. “This is your employee key.” She slid the key off her key ring and handed it to him. “Do not lose it or Ben will take twenty-five bucks out of your paycheck.”
“I won’t.”
“So how did your parents take it? When you told them you’re taking a year off and working here?”
“They freaked. Totally freaked, actually. But whatever. I think they’ll come around once I reapply to schools next year. If I get into a good film