Grady strolled over and reminded her who everyone was, as she’d met a few only the one time, at the awful gala her mother had thrown last January, when they had told Patricia that Haley was getting a divorce and that Claire had swapped brothers. Awkward was the theme of the night. It was tough to keep up, as so much had changed since she’d spent any calculable amount of time in Foothills. Freya had married Zane, the hunky ex-Navy SEAL that owned Black Op Brewing with Grady and the creativity behind the delicious brews she’d been sampling at Halseth’s. Sophie, Asher’s fiancée, was her new accountant, and they’d clicked immediately. Lincoln and Pippa were both friends from the old neighborhood. “And you met Finn at Halseth’s.”
Nodding, she swallowed the blush that threatened. Been there, done that. In many interesting ways. Hell, she’d even bought the t-shirt.
Finn stepped closer, but stayed far enough away to remain platonic. “Actually, we’re old friends now. She’s a huge Fire fan. Just saying. Think she was a little star-struck.”
She rolled her eyes and was tempted to sock him. Shit like that was going to give it away and ruin the no-pressure aspect. “Ha. Maybe a little. But that was only after a few Black Op pints.” She turned to Zane who was loading up a backpack that looked twice as heavy as hers. “The citrus brew was good, but the double hop was amazing.”
Tilting his head with a subtle smile, he nodded. “The Olympic? A personal favorite of mine, too. I’ve got a few in the pack.”
“Dibs.” She quirked up the corner of her mouth as she staked her claim.
Finn pulled an insulated lunchbox out of his backpack and came around behind her. Without asking, telling, or saying a word, just his amused grin, he opened her pack and stuffed in the bag. Patting her backpack when he was done, he came around and stood next to her. The others headed into the trees beyond.
Finn hung back and walked next to her. She stayed away, her hand feeling oddly awkward, like a little magnet inside was reaching to link hands with him. “Subtle,” she muttered out of the corner of her mouth.
He shrugged, looking downright pleased with himself. “I couldn’t resist. Besides, they’ll see right through us if we pretend we’re not friends.”
“Fair point.” They followed after the others, the tall grass bristly against her bare legs. Inhaling every molecule she could fit in her lungs, she exhaled on a slow, satisfied breath. Damn, she’d missed the northwest. Stopping in the middle of the field, she looked up and closed her eyes, running her fingers through her hair, letting the sun wash over her skin like a hot shower.
At her side, Finn stopped in place, watching her savor the moment with his mouth hanging open.
She rolled her eyes. “Again. Subtle.”
He bit his cheek and started walking again. “Your fault. I really like your hair. And your lips. And your breasts…”
She picked up the pace to catch up to the others. As she reached them, entering the canopied grove around the creek, Grady teased, “Such a city girl. Keep up.”
“I’ll have you know, I may have been one hundred percent out of shape a few weeks ago, but home renovation is hard work.” She pulled up the short sleeve of her pink t-shirt and flexed her bicep. “Check that out. I almost have a muscle that you can see.”
Claire released her lower lip from her teeth and smiled. “Nice. Maybe you won’t need help getting all that furniture moved in.”
Crap. Finn was going to help in the morning. “Thankfully, the delivery company brought everything inside, so it’s more sliding.” Phew. Close one.
They strolled along the creek until they came to a wide log that spanned the creek. Hopping onto it like he was part antelope, Asher started across. Following behind with equal grace, Sophie made it look like she did this all the time. Freya walked easily over in her barefoot-style walking shoes, Zane not hesitating either. Pippa squealed as she climbed on, both arms spread wide as she tried to steady herself. Lincoln laughed out loud and followed behind, but she made it okay.
No problem. Just like… nothing in her recent past. Housewives didn’t cross raging rivers.
Growling at herself, she tightened her backpack straps and stepped up. Trophy wives didn’t do a lot of things. If she couldn’t cross a freaking log over a babbling brook, she may as well rejoin the phony sluts she used to call friends.
The log seemed pretty secure. Didn’t wiggle as she stepped on. Hell, this thing was almost as wide as a sidewalk.
One foot in front of the other, she made it a quarter of the way across, before her legs started to tremble more violently than the log. Finn hopped on. The log shook like a blade of grass. This was no Golden Gate. Swallowing a squeal, she squatted and grabbed on with all fours.
She felt Finn easing closer, trying not to cause anymore shaking. She felt like such a wimp, but she couldn’t budge, imagining one slight slip and crashing into the rocky creek. This sucked. Twenty years ago, she would have danced across the log.
Now… now the adventurous girl she’d been was as lively as a squashed bug. She wanted to sit down and cry that the stupid log scared the hell out of her. It wasn’t even that far of a drop.
Panic bubbled up in her chest as the last decade of her life came crashing down. Despite the mask she wore, she was still struggling to fumble her way back to life.
Finn’s rumbling voice crooned behind her. “You got this, Haley. Ease on up and stand with your feet turned out. Fourth position, right? Didn’t you say you were in ballet?”
“Fourth. I can do fourth.” She positioned her feet and rose to stand.
“Pick a focal point on the other side and keep your eyes on it like you’re spotting a turn. Arms out, feet turned out, roll toe to heel, like you’re walking across the stage.” He held his ground, knowing any movement would have her right down on her hands again.
“Someday you’ll have to explain how you know so much about ballet.” She held steady, not breaking form as she crossed. It had been a long time, but the movement felt natural.
He chuckled from his post on the log. “How do you think I run on my toes so well?”
