Once Jordan stopped trying to kill her girlfriend, she returned to me and ran her fingers through my hair as she took pride in her work. "So nice."
"Thank you for doing it. On your night off of all times." I ran my fingers through my hair and smiled at the light, feathery feel it now carried.
"I enjoy it. Especially when it makes pretty women smile." Jordan winked at me and gathered up her supplies back into their bag. Ainsley swept up the fallen tendrils of my hair and I stood up to help her with the dustpan.
Our night tapered out after that, with Luna falling asleep just after the sun set. We all walked out together, and while waiting for Ainsley to pull her car out of the garage, Samirah approached me. Alice and Stella settled Luna in her car seat behind us.
"Rose," called Samirah and I met her gaze. "Do you like to hike?"
"Um...I've never been. But I like nature. Why?"
"Before heading back to Olympia to prep for my move in a few weeks, I was wondering if you'd join me on a hike tomorrow. There's an easy trail at Rattlesnake Ledge I'd like to try," she said, gesturing to me.
"Just me?" I glanced around us at the others.
"Yes, you. And the others if they're up for it, but since I've just met you, I thought I'd ask you directly."
"Um...maybe." I glanced at Ainsley when she exited her car after backing it partially down the drive. "If Ainsley goes."
"Where am I going?" she asked, looking between us.
"On a hike with us tomorrow. What do you say?" Samirah's smile broadened and she nudged Ainsley.
"I'll check with Jordan and see, but a hike sounds lovely." Ainsley grabbed my elbow and the sudden gesture startled me. "Rosie and I will make a pitstop to buy some hiking boots on the way home."
"What? It's nine at night." My brow furrowed.
"Rose, can I get your number to confirm for tomorrow?" asked Samirah. "Just in case."
"Sure. Yeah." She handed me her phone and I tapped my number into the new contact space.
"Great. Thank you." Samirah pocketed her phone and winked at me as she hurried over to join her friends.
I turned to Ainsley and she gestured toward the car. "Your chariot, Goldilocks."
"Only Jordan is allowed to call me that." I laughed and hopped into the passenger seat.
"Why?" Ainsley laughed as she climbed in and turned over the engine.
"Because she is the mistress of my hair."
Ainsley burst into a round of hysterics before we headed off into the night, apparently, to buy hiking boots.