Page 33 of You Fall First

“What do you mean?”

“Your entire face got all soft and … almost dreamy. After we were talking about Oliver.”

I scoff. “I didn’t get soft.”

“You absolutely did. Totally gooey. Like you were in the middle of some kind of fantasy. Are you reconsidering my offer to kick his⁠—”

“No, no.” I shake my head. Whatever Maren believes she saw is a mistake. “I was just thinking about someone I ran into yesterday.” My mouth curves up. “Three times, actually. So random.”

Tiny flutters tickle my insides, and sensory images reboot my nervous system. Noah’s strong hands at Harvest Farms. The scent of his body wash at the table. His crooked smile at the grocery store.

“A man,” Maren says.

“Maybe.”

She clears her throat.

“Okay, yes,” I admit. “A man.”

“Who?”

“A friend of my brother’s.”

“Dex’s friend?” She taps her forehead, musing. Then she gawks at me. “Wait. Are we talking about Bridger? He’s married, and his wife is awesome. You cannot have a crush on Bridger, Jo.”

“I do not have a crush on Bridger, Maren. For all the reasons. Obviously.”

“Phew,” she says, feigning a brow swipe. “So who did you run into?”

She’s really not gonna let this go.

“Just this guy,” I hedge. “He’s a physical therapist. He’s close with Dex and Bridger, but to be honest, I barely know him.”

“So you ran into a super-hot PT three times yesterday?”

“I didn’t say he was super hot.”

“My ears heard super hot, and they are pristine.” She pulls the towel off her head and starts to finger-scrunch her damp curls. “So tell me about these run-ins. Did any of them involve full-body contact?”

I let out a snort. “Not with him, although his nephew crashed into me at Harvest Farms. He took me straight to the dirt at the petting zoo, then I almost took him out in the dairy section of Publix.”

“The plot thickens.” Maren wags her brow. “Is Mr. PT’s nephew super hot? If so, the four of us should double date.”

“Mr. PT’s nephew is four.”

“So that’s a no, then.”

I guffaw. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I am aware. Which is why I’m still shocked Bucky cried when we broke up. On that note, does Mr. PT seem like a crier to you? Because I would not recommend that.”

“I don’t think so.” I shake my head absently. “For better or worse, I think Noah keeps his emotions to himself.”

“A real strong silent type, huh?”

“Definitely strong.” My lips drift up on one side. “I’m not sure how silent he is once he knows someone.”

“Noah.” Maren furrows her brow, cracking the mask even more. “Why does that name sound familiar?”