Soaring with Fallon (Big Sky 4)

“Great,” she says with a smile. “Thank you for having me. It’s so good to see you, friend.”

“I agree.” I pull her in for a hug. “Now, you get settled. Take your time. I’m going to make some iced tea.”

“That sounds so good,” she says with a sigh. “I’ll be out in a few.”

I shut the door behind me and walk to the kitchen, checking my phone as I go. I’ve missed a text from Penny.

Penny: Hey! I know I’m a day early, but I wanted to be sure to wish you a Happy Birthday!

I grin and type a reply.

Me: Thank you! I miss you. Wish you were here for birthday margaritas.

I set the phone aside and pull down the black teabags along with a pitcher. My phone pings behind me.

Penny: Gah, that sounds so good! I miss you! What are your plans for your big day?

Me: Claire’s in town, and I think we’ll just go to dinner with Noah. Nothing crazy. How are things with the hot rock star?

Penny: There’s so much to tell you. It’s good and confusing and wonderful. Sexy. So, so sexy.

Me: Bitch.

The three little dots appear as she replies.

Penny: You love me and you know it. I’ll call soon and we’ll catch up. Have the best birthday ever! Tell me all about it. XO

Penny’s sweet. She was so fun to hang out with when she lived here. I was sad to see her go. But it sounds like she’s living her best life in Seaside, and I wouldn’t take that away from her for anything in the world.

I’ve just finished the tea and poured two glasses when Claire walks out of the bedroom wearing a fresh summer outfit. Her face is clean of makeup, and she looks much more comfortable.

“Better?” I ask, passing her a glass.

“So much better. I had to get the plane yuck off me.” She takes a sip. “Mm, you always did make the best tea.”

“Should we sit outside?”

“Sure.”

She follows me out to the deck, and we sit in silence for a moment, drinking our tea and relaxing.

“I never thought I’d see the day,” she says at last.

“What day is that?”

“You, playing house.” She grins, but she’s put me on edge again.

“I’m not playing anything.”

“You’re living with a guy, making tea, not thinking about moving on,” she says with a sigh. “It’s just so unlike you, Fallon. I’m concerned.”

“You’re concerned about my happiness?”

“That sounds horrible,” she says with a frown. “I don’t mean it like that. I do want you to be happy. I guess I’m just worried, that’s all. Moving in with Noah happened so fast, and then you tell me you’re living with him for good, not just until you find another place?”

“Did you come all this way to check in on me?” I ask.

“Sort of,” she admits. “I wanted to see you, and I wanted to see this town, these people you’ve talked about. I’m looking out for you, Fallon. You don’t have many people in your life who will do that for you.”

“She has me.”

We both turn in surprise at Noah’s voice. He stands in the doorway, looking as handsome as ever in a black T-shirt and dirty jeans from work.

“Hey,” I say, standing to give him a kiss. “I didn’t see you come home.”

“You were having a pretty serious conversation,” he says, his eyes softening when he looks down at me. “How was your day, sweetheart?”

“It’s been good,” I reply. “And it’s better now because I get to introduce you to Claire.”

“Hi,” Claire says, standing to shake his hand. Her blue eyes check him out from head to toe and shine with appreciation when she smiles up at him. “Very nice to meet you.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Noah says, a slight frown forming between his eyebrows. “I’ll be right back.”

He disappears inside, and Claire turns to me with a wide smile.

“I get it,” she says. “He’s fucking hot. I’d move in with him, too.”

“Keep looking at him like that,” I say casually as I pick up my glass, “and I’ll throw you out on your ass.”

She gasps in surprise. “I didn’t—”

“Oh, you did,” I say, cutting her off. “And it was funny when we were younger, but it’s not funny anymore, Claire. It’s not funny.”

“I mean, he is hot.”

I raise a brow, and she deflates, blowing out a breath. “Sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“Great.”

What in the hell happened to my friend? Was she always this bold? This annoying? Is it that I’ve grown up, and she hasn’t?

Or maybe I’m in love and territorial.

It’s new, and I don’t think I can control it. I’d feel the same way no matter who checked out my man.

I’m supposed to be able to trust Claire. I’m not saying I don’t, but come on. Looking at your friend’s man that way is in poor taste. I wouldn’t do that to her.