My hands flew up. “God, you two are insufferable.”
Kit nudged my knee with hers. “So when exactly did ‘just spending time’ become ‘naked Olympic-level cardio’?”
My jaw dropped. “Kit!”
“What?” She sipped her drink like she wasn’t openly broadcasting my business to anyone within earshot. “You’re glowing. It’s a dead giveaway.”
“I am not glowing,” I muttered, sinking lower into my chair.
“Sel,” Elodie said. “You kind of are.”
I stuck my tongue out at her. The worst of it was ... I could feel it too. Lately it was as if some part of me I thought had been locked away for good was stirring. Waking up. Austin had a way of peeling back layers I didn’t even realize I’d built, and that should have scared me more than it did.
“Don’t read into it,” I said finally. “It’s not serious. It’s just a little fun.”
Elodie’s lips curved. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes.” I drained the last of my lemonade. “Absolutely.”
But my eyes betrayed me, darting back to the field where Austin was crouched to scoop up a stray ball. His shirt rode up just enough to flash a line of skin above his waistband, and I actively ignored the way my stomach swooped.
Kit followed my gaze and smirked. “Okay, sure. Totally casual.”
I let out a groan and buried my face in my hands, wishing I could melt straight into the folding chair. “You two really are the worst.”
Kit’s cackling laugh was quiet but smug as she clapped her hands together.
Elodie reached over and patted my knee. “We’re just saying, it’s a good thing. You deserve someone taking care of you for a change. Even if it’s only for a little while.”
I didn’t have a response to that—at least not one I trusted myself to say out loud.
Across the field, the game wrapped up with shouts and easy laughter. Austin jogged toward the dugout, glove tucked under his shoulder. His grin was wide and unguarded as he high-fived one of his teammates, and for a second I hated how easily he fit here. Like this town—like my life—had always made room for him.
Elodie followed my gaze and let out a knowing sigh. “Well, Cal and I are skipping the Lantern tonight. I promised him a quiet night after wrangling farm chores all week. But if you want a little time-out, I could take Winnie for ice cream. Maybe let her run wild at the farm for a bit.”
“She’d love that,” I admitted, grateful for the offer even as hesitation pricked the back of my neck. “You’d really be okay?”
Elodie waved me off. “Please. She’s an angel and loves hanging out with Levi.”
“It’s a school night,” I said automatically. “Sorry.”
Elodie’s face crinkled. “You think I can’t wrangle her? Compared to a teenager, Winnie’s a breeze.” Elodie’s grin was pure mischief. “Come on ... go have fun. Lord knows you’ve earned it.”
“Actually,” Kit chimed in, locking her phone screen with a smug little click, “I’ll be at the Lantern later too. You can text me when you get there—we’ll grab a drink before you and Austin inevitably start eye-fucking in public.”
“Jesus,Kit,” I hissed, heat rising in my cheeks.
“What?” she said innocently, sipping from her straw. “I’m just being realistic here.” She leaned in, conspiratorial. “You can have a drink, dance a little ...” Her eyes glinted. “Maybe even let your hot not-boyfriend show you off properly.”
My cheeks warmed. “He’s not?—”
“Uh-huh.” Kit cut me off with a wink and sauntered toward the parking lot. “You should do it,” she singsonged.
Elodie squeezed my arm as she gathered her sketchbook and thermos. “You deserve a little fun, Sel. It’s okay to let yourself have it.”
I watched her and Winnie head off together, a strange ache blooming in my chest.
When had fun become such a foreign concept?
