“I really enjoyed it,” I reply. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was pretty cool. You could listen to what Bigfoot is supposed to sound like, how he smells…”
Webb wrinkles his nose. “Not great,” he adds. “But Noelle’s right. It was pretty cool. I’m glad we went.”
The memory of it makes me smile—the two of us exploring the museum, taking silly photos of ourselves beside the life-sized Bigfoot and comparing our feet to the impressions supposedly found in the woods, and finally checking out the gift shop, where Webb insisted on buying us matching Bigfoot T-shirts.
“I’m glad we went, too,” I tell him quietly. “That was a really great day.”
Webb gazes at me, something deep and unreadable working in his eyes. “It really was.”
Then he looks over at Ace, who’s perched on the edge of Rafe and Eden’s couch, polishing off a hot dog. “How long before dinner’s ready, do you think?”
“Maybe twenty-five, thirty minutes,” Ace replies. A knowing smile tugs at his lips. “Or longer, if you’d like.”
Webb stands, then extends his hand out to me. “Do you want to go for a walk? There’s a path through the trees that takes you to where Tyler, Rafe and Eden, and Indy and Bea live.”
I take his outstretched hand, wrapping my fingers around his. “That sounds nice.”
Once we’re out of range of the deck, he says, “I apologize, Noelle. When I invited you over, I didn’t think about how it might be uncomfortable for you.”
True, there were a few moments when I felt a little left out. But they were far and few between. And the entire time, Webb was right there, checking on me, touching me, holding my hand…
Plus, it’s not like I’m some shrinking violet who can’t speak up for herself. During my years as a stage manager, I’ve had toinsert myself into plenty of unfamiliar situations, and I’ve been just fine. I think it’s just that my self-confidence has taken a hit in the last couple of months, making me quieter in a group than normal.
“I’m not uncomfortable,” I reply. “I wasn’t.”
Lit only by the moon overhead, Webb’s features are set in strong angles and lines. His eyebrows arch up. “Really?”
“Maybe a couple of times,” I admit. Then I offer a half-truth that I hope will make him feel better. “Before you came over, I’d just gotten kind of an… upsetting text from my old boss. So I think I’m still a little off balance from that. Normally, if I wanted to know what you were talking about, I would have asked right away.”
Webb stiffens. His voice dips. “Your old boss is bothering you? What did he do?”
“It’s not a big deal. We just didn’t part on the best of terms. And he’s still… not thrilled about it. But it’s fine. I shouldn’t have let it get to me.”
“If someone’s upsetting you, though?—”
“Really, it’s okay. I just wanted to explain. That’s why I seemed a little off when you got to my apartment. But I’m good now. And I’m having a great time. It’s nice to see where you live, where you work, plus, now I’ve met your friends.”
“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Webb explains. “Sam and I went through training together, so we’ve been friends for… shit. Fifteen years. And the other guys were all based out of Fort Campbell, same as me.”
“And now you’re all back together again.”
He nods. “Except for Sam, yeah.” As we start along a cleared path lined with solar lights on either side, he says, “What Sam said, about not introducing women to my friends—it’s true. I’ve never brought a woman over to hang out with them before.”
“Never?”
“Never. Not that I didn’t date. But there was never a woman I wanted them to meet. Not until you.”
The annoying voice of logic in my head pipes up, asking,Really? A handsome guy like Webb, who could probably get anyone he wants, andI’mthe first person he’s wanted to introduce to his friends?
Maybe,my heart argues.Maybe he’s telling the truth. Maybe he’s been too busy with work, or he just hasn’t found the right person yet. Maybe he feels the same magnetic tug that I do whenever we’re together, the one that makes my heart race and my skin come alive.
Webb stops, taking both my hands and facing me. His expression is solemn. “I mean it, Noelle. My friends—my teammates—are like family. Which means I take introducing someone to them seriously. And on the flip side of it, I wanted you to know more about me.” He smiles. “I thought meeting them might prove I’m not just this creeper?—”
“I don’t think you’re a creeper, Webb. We’ve been through this already.”
“I want to be sure,” he replies. “Because I really like you, Noelle. And I want to keep seeing you, assuming I haven’t scared you off yet.”
My heart jumps.
