Page 52 of The Weight Of Falling
[GROUP CHAT]
TESS:Let’s talk about how Joel Adams went full alpha-male at the gym today.
SOFIA:The man is giving off serious husband energy.
KENZIE:Please don’t start.
SOFIA:Oh, we’re way past starting.
TESS:First, he practically branded you in front of Bobby.
SOFIA:And a room full of gossipy gym-goers. Myself included.
KENZIE:Wait. Weren’t you both in some dance class?
SOFIA:The room had windows.
TESS:Then when that guy broke his arm and you fainted, Joel caught you and scooped you into his arms like a sweaty Greek god.
SOFIA:I’m still recovering from the visual.
KENZIE:What visual?
TESS:Your hair was hanging down like a golden curtain, you looked all pale and delicate in his arms, and he was cradling you protectively against his chest.
KENZIE:Are you secretly writing romance novels in your spare time?
SOFIA:Everyone literally hit STOP on their treadmills to watch.
KENZIE:You’re exaggerating.
TESS:We’re underplaying it. The rumor mill is officially in meltdown.
KATE:I can confirm. You two are the most talked about couple in Brown Oaks.
KENZIE:We were supposed to keep things under the radar.
SOFIA:Under the radar left the building when you and Joel reenacted a scene from a period drama.
SOFIA:It was like Bridgerton on steroids.
TESS:He literally GROWLED at everyone crowding around you to give you space.
KENZIE:No one growls.
TESS:Joel managed it.
KATE:I almost regret not going to the gym with you guys.
TESS:Right?! I told you to come!
KATE:I said, almost.
TESS:Someone did record it on their phone. Joel made them delete the footage right there in front of him.
SOFIA:He was furious. The guy with the phone was shaking. Weirdly satisfying to watch, actually.
TESS:Which brings us back to our original theory that Joel’s hiding something.
