to his and extend a hand. “Friends?”
“Friends,” he replies and slides his palm against mine.
My heart does a funny kind of flip as soon as our hands touch. Electricity jumps down my spine, doing a swan dive straight between my legs. I squeeze my thighs together, shaking his hand and doing my best to hold his gaze.
My voice is saying friends, but my mind is saying, are you fucking insane? Drag this man to your lair and screw him senseless! When will you ever meet a guy who will protect you and take care of you while simultaneously making your body feel like you’re plugged into a high-voltage power line?
Swallowing my thoughts back, I pull my hand away. Kit’s eyes drop to my lips, then move down to my chest, my hips, and back up again.
Do friends look at each other like that?
He lets out a long sigh, shaking his head. “You want me to show you around town today?”
I force a smile and nod. “Sure.”
11
Kit
As Serena and I walk toward Main Street, I resist the urge to catch her hand and hold it.
Weren’t we just talking about keeping our distance? If I’m mad at Finn for dating my sister, I can’t turn around and pursue Serena. That would make me a hypocrite of the worst kind. Scum.
I can see the Woodvale Skydive Center at the end of the road and purposefully ignore it. My heart tugs, though.
I miss working there. Finn and I started that business with nothing but ambition and a crazy idea. Now, it’s the premier place to skydive in all the Pacific Northwest. Last summer, when Esme first came to town, we were able to expand the business and truly become a stable cornerstone of the Woodvale business landscape. Judging by the fact that Esme invited Serena to jump, I’m guessing Finn has even started doing autumn and winter jumps, too.
That would be a lot more fun than shuttling a big flying bus over and back across the country.
I clear my throat, pointing to a little art supply store. “They sell beads,” I say.
“Okay.” Serena frowns at me.
“I thought you liked beads?”
Serena laughs, shrugging. “I like stones, yeah. They help me practice my meditation. I don’t know, it’s easier to get in the zone when you’re surrounded by pretty things. I’m not going to make you a friendship bracelet, though.”
I hide my grin just as someone calls my name out. Turning to see Benji jogging up toward me, my smile widens.
“Kit!” he exclaims, wrapping his arms around me. “I thought you were out of town. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“I was out of town, and same to you,” I answer. “Just got back last night. How’s business?”
“Good,” Benji answers. “Working at the garage today, but I’ll be flying tomorrow. Got a last-minute jump booked.”
My heart squeezes as I nod.
Benji grins. “You sure you don’t want to come back to the skydiving world?”
“I have a real job now.”
He snorts, then sticks his hand out toward Serena. “Benji,” he says. “This guy used to be my boss, before he ran away with his tail between his legs. Doesn’t believe in true love.”
“I believe in friendship and trust,” I interject.
Serena quirks an eyebrow as she shakes Benji’s hand. “Serena. I just moved here. I’ll be starting work at the elementary school.”
Benji’s eyes light up. “My sister teaches there! I can introduce you.”
“Yeah?” Serena smiles at me, and my heart warms.
“I was just on my way to see her. You want to come? She’s got both her kids at home today and, judging by her texts, I think she’d like to have an adult conversation that doesn’t revolve around Thomas the Tank Engine.”
“Hey, don’t knock Thomas.” Serena grins. “It’s an institution.”
“It is at my sister’s house, anyway.” Benji laughs. He jerks his head and Serena looks at me, eyebrows arched. I nod, and we change our trajectory to follow Benji.
This is Woodvale. It’s what this town does to you. It just opens its arms up and swallows you whole, showing you what a community really feels like. Sure, right now, the trees are mostly bare and the sky is gray. The wind pierces through my jacket and it doesn’t compare to the lush, green summers. The winters are cold and rainy, but that doesn’t matter.
It’s the people.
Even Benji, a guy I associate with one of the most painful places in town, is still a good friend. As we walk, he gives me an update on everything that’s been going on at the skydiving