Page 39 of Fast Currents
“I need to change first. I need better shoes to tackle Mt. Finlayson.”
He dropped a kiss on my neck. “I’ll make coffee, then I can take you home. Any chance you can spend tonight here too?”
Damn if the man didn’t just keep making plans like I was a sure thing, showing me again and again he wasn’t Christopher. That he wouldn’t let even a day go by without seeing me. Making plans before he even let me out of his sight?Stop. My heart couldn’t take it. Not without me melting into a puddle at his handsome feet.
But my giddy heart wouldn’t listen.
“Violet invited everyone over for dinner tonight. We could walk to my place after.”
“Deal.”
Just like that. His easy acceptance of plans that didn’t include him eased any lingering fears about history repeating itself. Clay was his own man. He didn’t sulk or plead for me to cancel with my friends or make excuses not to join us later.
Clay pulled back, waggling his brows, a tiny smirk turning up the corner of his mouth. “So… does tonight with the gang equal a soft launch of our relationship, or can I shout to strangers on the street that you’re taken?”
“Let’s just say I’ve been Robertsoned.”
He clicked his tongue, grin wide as he shook his head from side to side. “No, no Lucifer. This doesn’t count as the full Robertson.” He caught my mouth in a playful kiss, a smile still etched on his lips. When he pulled back, he winked. “That part comes later. When you’re ready.”
The dratted man hummed all the way to his truck, keeping up the simple melody as he drove me home, like he had an internal soundtrack only he could hear.
I could only blame my inability to recognize the tune on our late night. On my completely orgasm-fried, sex-addled brain.
Minutes after he dropped me off, it hit me—it was the fucking “Wedding March.”
I had just enough time to slap on some foundation and slip into fresh clothes before Vi honked from my driveway. A real shower would have to wait until after we hiked. I felt like a marked woman as I slid into her passenger seat, sure she and Anya could tell I’d had sex.
Vi took one look at me and confirmed my worst fears, a teasing grin taking over. “Luce, you missed a spot.” She swiped at my collarbone, helping me blend my makeup.
“Thanks.”
She pointed to the cupholder. “I brought coffee.”
“I already had some, but thanks.”
“Really…” Anya drew the word out like a question from the back seat, as Vi drove toward the harbor. “Does Clay make a good pot of coffee?” she asked with fake casualness.
There was no hiding the truth from my friends. And, honestly, I didn’t want to try.
“He does.”
A broad grin took over Vi’s face. “Iknewit.” She pushed her glasses up her nose.
Rae slid into the backseat next to Anya, catching the tail end of Vi’s squee. “Knew what?”
“That Lucy and Clay would hook up,” Vi said smugly.
Rae snorted, pointing to her chin. “This is my shocked face.”
“Does this mean he’s coming for dinner tonight?” Anya asked.
I nodded.
Vi, Anya, and Rae left me in peace as we drove to the Jakle’s Lagoon trailhead and parked in the small gravel lot. They waited until we were on the trail beneath the trees before peppering me with questions.
“So, how long have you and Clay been seeing each other for real?” Anya asked.
“A few weeks.”
