Brady scowls.
Finn pumps a fist because he doesn’t need Brady to confirm he has guessed correctly.
Brady sidesteps Laine and me, heading for the front door. He looks back at us after he opens it, pointing a finger at us in turn.
“I’ll be back here at six. Finn, do you want me to pick you up?”
“No, thanks, I’ll drive.”
“Suit yourself. You coming?” He steps through, holding open the door and looking at Finn with raised eyebrows.
“I might stick around for a bit.”
Brady stiffens, only slightly, and maybe I’m the only one who notices.
“You know what?” I step away from Laine and wind an arm around Finn. He looks down at me, and for a moment I’m disarmed by his gaze.
Recovering quickly, I tell him he should go. “Laine and I need a little girl time, and I’m sure she’d like a chance to rest and freshen up after her flight.”
“What? I have fifty questions for Laine. I’m ready to learn all about her childhood, starting with her first memory. What about—”
“Bye,Finn.” I steer him toward the door.
Laine and Brady laugh and Finn shakes his head in defeat.
They wave goodbye and I close the door behind them. Laine follows me to the front window. Through the sheer curtains, we watch them walk across the yard.
Laine looks at me sideways. “Should I tell Brady I’ve watched bull-riding for years, and that includes dating a bull-rider?”
“Hah!” I laugh. “You can tell him if you want. He’ll think it’s funny.”
As we watch, Finn gives Brady a playful shove, and Brady makes fists, pretending to box.
Their antics make me smile. “Brady is prudent and considerate. He left to give us time together. Finn doesn’t think that way.” As I watch, Finn pauses in his open car door, saying something to Brady. He gestures wildly, his arms moving around. I smile as I watch him. “He’s always ready formore.”
“More of what?” Laine asks as we watch them climb in their cars and close the doors.
Brady pulls away first. Finn backs out of my driveway, looking directly into the window where Laine and I stand. He gives me a salute and drives away.
I shrug. “More of everything. More time, more fun, more conversation, more love—”
“More you?” Laine’s question pelts me like a shot from a pellet gun.
I stare at her. “What?”
“You heard me.” Her eyebrow raises, the question in her voice getting louder.
“I heard you. I was asking for explanation.” I come around the back of the couch, sinking down into the overstuffed cushions. Laine follows.
Taking my hands in hers, she turns to me and stares lovingly into my eyes. Then she opens her mouth and says, “You stupid, stupid girl.”
I make a face.
“They love you.”
“We’ve been friends forever. Of course we love each other.”
She shakes her head. “They’reinlove with you.”
