coffee over in the process. I’d never been with a man who was so protective. Not that Gibson and I were actually together. But I was grateful for the way he seemed to guard me. Selling my identity as Maya to the people of Bootleg was important to keeping me safe. And with Gibson Bodine standing guard, I felt surprisingly secure.
We got our coffees and left. The late summer air felt good. It reminded me of long days spent at the lake. Swimming in the bath-like water. The smell of sunscreen and bonfire smoke. The good parts of the time when I’d been Callie.
“Hey there, y’all.” Scarlett’s chipper voice came from up ahead. “Good to see you, Maya. How do you like Bootleg Springs?”
Gibson groaned and muttered something under his breath about not needing to yell. But the conspiratorial grin on Scarlett’s face made me smile.
“It’s such a nice town,” I said. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a couple of the seniors sitting outside the Brunch Club leaning forward, like they were trying to eavesdrop. “So far I like it here.”
“Course it’s a nice town,” Scarlett said. “Well, Maya, I hope you enjoy your visit. Nice to see you again, Maya.”
“Jesus, Scar,” Gibson said. “You don’t have to keep saying her name.”
Scarlett lowered her voice. “I’m just making sure everyone heard.”
“So where are we off to next?” I asked.
“I need to run to the hardware store,” Gibson said with a shrug.
“I have a better idea.” Scarlett sidled up next to me and slipped her arm through mine. “Let’s do a little shopping.”
“No,” Gibson said.
“Aw, come on, Gibs,” Scarlett said. “Your sister needs time to get to know your new girlfriend. This is how things are done. Girl bonding and all that. We’ll catch up with you later.”
Scarlett tugged me forward and it took half a second for Gibson to let go of my hand. I glanced back at him and shrugged one shoulder. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
He glowered at us but didn’t reply.
“I know the perfect place,” Scarlett said. She kept her arm tucked around mine, like we were longtime best friends. “Leah Mae just opened up her own shop, and she has the cutest clothes. No pressure to spend money, but it’s fun to look.”
“Actually, I could use a few new things.”
“See? I told you this was perfect.”
Scarlett greeted people as we walked, waving and taking every opportunity to introduce me. She even shouted across the street. “Hey, y’all, this is Gibson’s new girlfriend Maya.”
I smiled and lifted my hand in a little wave each time. When we got to a small storefront with a sign that said Boots and Lace, we stopped. I glanced over my shoulder. Gibson was still standing in the middle of the sidewalk, his arms crossed over his thick chest, coffee in one hand.
Scarlett pushed the door open. With one last glance at Gibs, I went inside behind her, taking off my sunglasses and tucking them in my bag.
The air-conditioned store felt nice. It was small, but bright and cheery, with an eclectic mix of clothing and accessories. There were distressed jeans, flowing dresses, frilly tops, and tight skirts. Cowboy boots sat on a shelf next to stiletto heels. A display near the counter sparkled with earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, as well as some very cute handbags.
There weren’t any other customers, but Leah Mae stood behind the counter, an open book in her hands. Her eyebrows were lifted, her mouth parted in a circle.
“Whatcha reading?” Scarlett asked.
Leah Mae startled, blinking as she looked up from her book. “Oh my god, you scared me. Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in. It’s that book for June’s book club. Have you read it yet?”
“Not yet.” Scarlett pulled on the sleeve of a blue shirt. “Is it any good?”
“Well…” Leah Mae’s cheeks colored. She closed the book and tucked it beneath the counter. “Yes, it’s really good. But… different. You kind of need to read it for yourself to see.”
“Guess I’ll have to start it tonight,” Scarlett said.
“Hey, Maya,” Leah Mae said. “What are y’all up to?”
“We’re doing a little shopping while Gibson goes to the hardware store,” I said. “Or, at least, I think he’s going to the hardware store. Last I saw, he was still standing in the same spot, watching us walk away.”
“Oh, Gibs is just being overprotective,” Scarlett said. She grabbed a dress and held it up to me. “This would look adorable on you.”