Page 99 of Freefall

“This is beautiful,” I say, admiring the way the moonlight spills across the water. The wooden table is already set for three, a bottle of wine sitting alongside three empty glasses.

“Have a seat,” Nate says before nudging River with his elbow. “Help me bring the food out.”

River smirks, lifting an eyebrow. “Why? Don’t trust me alone with your girl?”

Heat creeps up my neck at his bold words, but thankfully, Nate doesn't even dignify it with a response. Instead, he grabs the back of River’s T-shirt and shoves him toward the kitchen.

River laughs as they head inside, twisting just enough to shoot me a wink over his shoulder.

A few minutes later, they come back carrying several oversized platters. They set them down on the table, and my mouth waters as I take in all the food. Grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, salad, and a basket of bread that’s still warm enough for steam to rise up from between the slices.

“So…” River says as soon as we’re all seated. “What’s the deal with you two?”

I set my fork down and look at Nate, but he’s already halfway through his first bite.

“I…” I start.

Nate finishes chewing and swallows. “It’s complicated,” he says.

It’s the same vague answer I gave Allie, but for some reason it stings when Nate says it. Maybe it sounds like an excuse, or maybe it’s because I still don’t know what we are. Either way, I don’t elaborate.

“Yeah,” River says, picking up the bottle of wine and pouring himself a generous glass. “I gathered that much.”

He offers me some, but I decline, and when he tips the bottle toward Nate, he shakes his head too. Instead, he reaches for the carafe of water and pours us each a glass.

Nate wasn’t much of a drinker back in college. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him drunk. I don’t completely avoid alcohol, but I tend to save it for special occasions.

“Anyway,” I say, eager to change the subject. “What about you?”

River grins. “What about me, darling?”

I ignore the flutter in Nate’s jaw. “I don’t know…where are you from? What do you do for a living? Relationship? Kids?—”

Two things happen at the same time. River chuckles and Nate’s fork clatters against his plate.

River doesn’t even look in his direction, his eyes planted firmly on me. “Why don’t we get out of here, and I’ll tell you my whole life story.”

“River,” Nate warns.

“What?” He turns back to me. “It’s just so fucking easy.”

I blink. “What is?”

He points between us. “Flirting with you.”

I nearly choke on my water as River takes a big gulp of his wine and winks again. Then, ignoring the daggers in Nate’s glare, he answers all my questions as if he doesn’t have a death sentence hanging over him.

“Born and raised in a tiny town in Maine. I own—well, co-own a bar back home. No girlfriend…” He shoots Nate a sideways glance. “No kids.”

I spear a piece of chicken with my fork. It’s cooked perfectly. Of course it is, because it’s Nate, and when isn’t he a perfectionist?

“How exactly are you two related?” I ask after swallowing.

“His dad and mine are brothers,” Nate answers before River can. “My uncle moved to Maine after he graduated college.”

I nod. “What brings you here now?”

River leans back in his chair. “Soul-searching.” He holds up a finger. “Wanderlust.” Another one. “A no-strings night of passion with a beautiful woman.”