Hot as Heller (Aster Valley 3)

I was midbite when Gent casually mentioned setting me up with a friend of his who was coming into town the following week.

“He’s one of our backup drummers and cool as hell. I remember you mentioning mountain biking was one of the reasons you chose Aster Valley, and he rides, too. I thought maybe the two of you could hook up for a ride.”

Instead of choking, I forced myself to swallow and take a sip of coffee. “Oh, uh…”

Tess snorted and leaned forward as if to impart a secret on Gent and Winter. “I’m pretty sure he’s seeing someone already. In secret.”

I turned to her. “Not… not really.”

Now it was Winter who snorted. “You don’t sound convinced.”

My cheeks were hotter than the fresh coffee Pim had just poured me. “I mean, I… there’s someone who…”

I was being ridiculous. This wasn’t middle school. But at the same time, I had no idea what Finn was to me right now. A hookup? A date? A figment of my desperate imagination?

I liked him. A lot. But I also valued his privacy. It wasn’t my place to tell anyone what Finn was up to in his private time. I knew from living in LA that those details were often treated like currency.

Gent caught my eye. “A no, thanks is good enough for me.”

I swallowed and tried to calm down. “No, thanks.”

Winter’s eyes twinkled. “Not sure that’s good enough for me, though. I want the scoop.”

Gent elbowed him. “He clearly isn’t ready to talk about it, babe.”

“It’s just that… I’m not sure…” I realized how stupid I sounded. Gent had mentioned a bike ride. I could do that. “Actually, if you make it clear it’s not a setup or anything, I’d still be up for showing him around the local trails.”

Tess looked happy at the idea. “You could use some fun. You’ve been working so hard lately. I only wish I could go, too. Remember when you took me to Portuguese Bend?”

We talked about biking for a little while. Gent and Winter expressed interest in trying it out, so we agreed to go as a group the following Friday on my day off. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was something Finn would want to do as well or if he was even allowed to engage in action sports outside of climbing while he was actively shooting a film.

We lingered a long time over coffee and good conversation, but after Tessa’s third trip to the ladies’ room, I realized she would probably rather walk around than continue being trapped in the booth with us.

The weather was perfect with the typical deep blue sky and warm sunshine Colorado was known for. When we stepped outside the diner, Tess closed her eyes and turned her face to the sun. “God, I love it here,” she murmured. “No hazy smog. No horns honking or sirens blaring.”

After saying goodbye to Gent and Winter, I looped Tessa’s arm through mine and led her toward the market stalls set up in the park in the middle of town. While Saturday mornings in summer were for fruit and vegetable stands, Sunday afternoons were for local crafters.

We meandered through the stalls, stopping here and there to look more closely at various items. Tessa picked out a few baby items, and I bought a small watercolor painting of the sunset painting the granite face of Slye Peak in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.

While standing in line at a table selling cold drinks, I glanced across the park at a cluster of teenagers laughing in a cluster under a large shade tree. I recognized Solo from the diner and one of the underage girls I’d kicked out of the bar the other night. But I also saw a man with very familiar body language.

Finn.

My heart sped up as I watched him gesture wildly. His face widened into a huge grin, and he looked… happy. The happiest I’d seen him yet. The kids around him seemed to be riveted to what he was saying, and something about it was different from the fan interactions I’d seen him have in town.

“Sheriff?”

I blinked and turned back to the line I was standing in, only to find there was no longer a line. Karen Vetter stood looking at me in anticipation. “Can I get you a cold drink? All proceeds benefit Rockley High athletics.”

I swallowed and nodded, stepping forward and reaching for my wallet. “Two bottles of water, please.” I glanced over at Finn and the fans surrounding him. “Actually, make that six bottles of water. Thanks, Karen.”

“Anytime, Sheriff.” She stacked the bottles in a little pyramid for me, and I took them in my arms after handing her the cash.

I found Tess sitting at a nearby picnic table talking to a young mother with a baby. I handed her a bottle of water, offered another to the woman sitting with her, and pointed to Finn. “Be right back.”