“I’ll finish it another time,” I say, then walk away to get the door.
Leaving the guys behind, I hurry through the house. I pull open the door and let out a shout of shock and utter happiness.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, pulling Laine into me. I hug her hard, and she hugs me back with the same force.
She pulls back, a proud smile on her face. “I knew better than to listen to you. Like I would…” Her gaze goes over my shoulder, her sentence petering out.
She sends me a quick glance with raised eyebrows, then sidesteps me and walks into the house with her arm outstretched.
“Hi,” I hear her say behind me as I close the door. When I turn around, Laine’s shaking Brady’s hand but looking at Finn.
“I’m Lennon’s roommate in Dallas,” she says, offering a polite smile to each of them. She takes her hand back from Brady, only to place it in Finn’s offered palm. “And you are?”
“Finn,” he answers, glancing my way. “Lennon’s first best friend.” He grins rakishly at me, his words taunting Brady while also staking his claim to me.
Laine laughs, tucking her hair behind her ear and looking to Brady. “And you? Runner-up best friend?”
Brady scoffs. “Hardly. I saw her first.” He glowers at Finn, but there’s some playfulness in the glance. At least, I think I see it there.
“Brady Sterling,” he tells Laine, his voice smooth and his chin dipping slightly as he says his name. He’s well-bred and mannered, and it shows.
Laine tips her head to the side. “Ah, yes. I do believe Lennon has mentioned you both on occasion.”
Two injured gazes fall to me.
Walking forward, I loop my arm through Laine’s and pull her into me. I didn’t want her to come, and yet I’m ecstatic she’s here. I needed her, and even though I didn’t know it, she knew it.
Looking at the two hurt faces in front of me, I say, “Don’t get your feelings hurt. I’ve talked about you plenty.”
Their combined relief makes my core feel warm. They both wanted me to talk about them, to consider them, to want them, even after all our time apart.
“So…” Laine draws out the word. “What were y’all doing before I showed up?”
I glance at Finn, remembering the feel of his fingertips on my skin. Goosebumps pop up on my arms. “Going through my mom’s office.”
Laine makes a face. “Sounds like a good time.”
I blow out a short breath. “Hardly.”
“What are you going to do now? Is there another room you need help with?” She pretends to push up her sleeves. “Put me to work.”
Brady and Finn look to me, waiting for my answer even though we’ve already agreed to be done for now.
I shake my head. “We’re done for today.”
Laine claps her hands. “Well, since you don’t intend to capitalize on my offer, how about you show me something Arizona-ish?”
Finn points out front, a grin spreading across his face. “There are some cacti out there.”
Laine wrinkles her nose. “Not what I meant.”
Brady snaps his fingers, his eyes glittering with excitement. “I know exactly where to take you.” Glancing down at his watch, he asks, “Can you all be ready at six?”
“Where are we going?” Finn and I ask at the same time.
Brady steps forward, lifting a finger and poking the end of my nose with it. “It’s a surprise.” He turns to Finn, using the same finger to poke the end of his nose. Finn bats it away, but Brady’s too fast for him. “It’s a surprise for you too, sugar lips.”
Finn smirks. “It’s bull-riding, isn’t it?”
