I peel at the label on my bottle. “Am I setting myself up for failure by trying to build walls and shutting down our potential?”
Audria cringes. “Arrogant much?”
“No, you’re just too much. Period.”
Her eyes roll to the trees above us. “How will this become problematic?”
“I might not be able to resist.”
She releases another sound of disbelief. “Well, lucky for you, my willpower is ironclad. I think we can manage to be friendly without any added benefits. The no-strings agreements never pan out.”
I bob my head as she talks. “Right, that tends to complicate things.”
“As you’ve already mentioned,” she drawls. Her tone has taken on a defensive whip.
I wince. “Don’t you agree?”
She exhales hard enough that her lips buzz. “Impossible to argue with the best of intentions. Emotions are messy, attachments are risky, and flings are cheap. Sure, we could scratch this itch and cut ties afterward. But that would make things awkward when Gavin insists we all hang out to watch the Friends reunion.”
I scratch at my temple while trying to align those pieces. “Huh?”
“Never mind.” Audria flicks her wrist. “Getting involved romantically is foolish when I’m leaving. It makes perfect sense to maintain our boundaries.”
“We’re from two different worlds, and one of us will get hurt,” I add. “I’d rather be in your good graces when we cross paths. It would really suck if our exchanges became strained. That would ruin the solid foundation we’ve managed to build. Plus, I already know once with you wouldn’t be enough. Then you’d have to deal with me begging for another go.”
“Now who’s too much?” she mutters.
Mayday, Mayday. Pride is in danger of taking a critical hit. A crackle of static splices into my train of thought, and not for the first time. I find myself second-guessing this entire spiel all over again. Am I being an idiot? There isn’t much room for me to dispute in this case. I recently accused Gavin of handing over his man card. What the hell do I call this?
“Shit, is this lame?” I scrub at the sting attacking my nape.
“Depends who you ask, I guess. I cherish my friendships. We can share more together platonically,” she states.
“Rather than sate our appetites for one night,” I tack on.
“See? We’re building a bond right now.”
“I suppose so.”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Do you hate me?” I blurt the question before my filter can weigh in.
Audria squints at me. “For being honest and respectful? Hardly. You could’ve tried getting in my pants by whatever means necessary, and might have succeeded, only to pull a disappearing act immediately after.”
A riot explodes in my gut. I’ve witnessed such tactics often enough that they shouldn’t bother me, but that doesn’t stop the bitter sensation from pummeling me. “That’s shitty. Please believe that I’d never stoop to such deceitful ploys.”
“It shows, and I appreciate your tact. Most guys our age wouldn’t give the same consideration.” Her soft grin gives the affirmation I need. This is the correct choice.
“Pretty sure I’m older than the college guys you’re used to.”
“You can’t be more than twenty-five.”
I wink at her. “Right on the nose.”
“Only a few years separates us. I guess that just makes you more mature and well-mannered.”
“Like expensive whiskey. My mama raised me right.”
“Maybe I’ll get the chance to thank her one day,” Audria murmurs.
An easy smile tips my lips. “She’d welcome you with open arms. I have a sister, but my mother would’ve been overjoyed to have a fleet of girls filling our house.”
She laughs. “My mom wanted the same and ended up with three sons before getting two daughters.”
“Not a bad deal,” I comment.
“Could definitely be worse. I won the sibling lottery. They’re a really great bunch, and I’m not just blowing smoke.”
“Close family ties are irreplaceable.” I’m grateful to speak from experience.
“So true. Which is why I’m glad to have found a friend in Bampton Valley.” Audria leans forward to give me a light nudge.
“You have more than me,” I assure.
“Yeah, I’m getting there. It’s just strange uprooting my life and essentially starting over, temporary or not. It’s similar to a juice cleanse but less fluids—not as much chopping either.”
I gulp when bile threatens to rise. “That’s horrifying.”
She cringes. “I don’t recommend it.”
The pressure resting on my chest eases. This is nice. “So, you’re not going to vanish and avoid me after this?”
She scoffs as if the mere idea is ludicrous. “I’m not spiteful.”
“No, I imagine you’re not. That’s a great quality.”
“Well, thanks.” It’s her turn to give me a wink.
The lull that settles allows me to take a much-needed breath. Fuck, this isn’t how I predicted a quick drink at the Salt Lick would go. A gust sweeps in, whipping Audria’s hair about. The wind carries a direct hit of lemon and sweet flowers. That alluring combination beckons me to inhale a deeper whiff. How can she smell so fresh when I’ve been sweating my ass off out here? I stare at her and can’t seem to look away. Her brown eyes latch onto mine, a telling glint busting me in the act. The last thing I need to do right now is send mixed signals.
I drop my gaze with a curse. In a lame attempt at sealing a truce, I stick out my hand. “So, friends?”
“Deal.” Audria slides her fingers along mine on the path to connect palms.
The contrast of satin skin against rough calluses sends an electric zap through me. My much larger mitt dwarfs hers as I authenticate our promise with a gentle shake. This agreement feels like a crime, the forgery and travesty of it all mocking me. We officially cut our potential short. No, that’s not severe enough. I’m whacking the possibility off at the neck and going home alone to do much of the same. Talk about being a fucking moron.
Before I can dwell on my impending doom, Bea appears beside us.
She appears
