Page 61 of When The Rain Falls

"Sure, bear," she says. "It's really intimidating that you and your little baseball hero wore matching outfits together."

"They're calleduniforms," I correct her. But she's already walking away, an amused chuckle under breath. Hips swaying. Jeans pulled tight around her ass. And she’s back to temptress.

21THIS CHAPTER IS NOT ROMANTIC

AIMEE

He slapped my ass.

Yesterday he kissed me. And today he slapped my ass. And it’s not even 10:00 a.m. Who knows what will happen next? The day is still young. So very, very young. And I’m so very, very horny. For him.

We’re forty minutes outside the city. The subdivisions and gated communities have turned into farmhouses and barns in all stages of repair. The city blocks have become large lots, boasting crops of all kinds. Hand painted signs dot the highway advertising fresh eggs, corn, and fruit.

Finn keeps stealing glances at me out of the corner of his eye. He doesn’t know I can see his eyes through his aviator glasses. And it’s kind of adorable. He didn’t shave this morning and stubble darkens his square jaw. I swear the corner of his mouth has been quivering in hidden amusement this entire ride as I sing horribly along to the songs over the radio.

Yep. Radio. His van doesn’t have Bluetooth. So, the options were radio or some scratched-to-shit country album from the 90’s. He’s got one hand on the steering wheel, the other one resting against the side of the window in the sexy way that men do.

He steals another look my way right as I’m stealing my own. I smile and quickly dart my gaze back out my window. For the rest of the ride, I admire his reflection in the window, pretending to show an interest in the scenery.

Finally, we pull into a large, dirt parking lot below a large sign that readsWilson Farms. Finn finds a parking spot at the edge of the lot and we cross a field of mud before we reach the entrance.

There are two booths set up at the entrance and we all shuffle into one of the lines. The employees are wearing forest green sweatshirts and exchanging cash and credit cards for orange bracelets. We fall into line and Finn rests his elbow on Vivian's shoulder. He looks casual and relaxed. He looks good.

When we reach the front of the line, Finn slips his arm off Vivian's shoulder and pulls out his wallet. I reach into my purse, but Finn beats me to it, sliding his card on the counter first.

"I got it," he says cooly.

"You don’t have to pay for me,” I tell him. “This whole thing was my idea.”

“Oh, I know,” he mutters. But then he follows it up with a sincere, “I kinda owe you.”

“You do?” I ask. “For what?”

“Trust me, I just do.”

“Let him pay,” Vivian says. “He can treat it like a practice date. And maybe it will help him get over his fear of women,” she adds matter-of-factly. I drop my face to hide a grin.

“Vivian Grace Hudson. What the hell makes you say that?” Finn demands. Full names. Shit. This is serious. Also, new goal. Get Finn to say my full name. Preferably when we’re both naked.

"That's what Grandma says,” Vivian says defensively. “Every time Grandma tries to get you a date, you literally freak out at her. She says you’re afraid of girls and can’t remember how to handle feminine energy or something." At that moment, the ladyin the booth with the Wilson Farms sweatshirt fans five bright orange event bracelets on the counter and raises an eyebrow.

Finn swipes them angrily with one quick motion and turns back to Vivian.

"Remind me to talk to your grandma later,” he mutters. "And you know what? Women are terrifying. Between you, Ruby, and Aimee, I'm scared out of my mind half the time. Julie's the only normal one here." He jabs a thumb at Julie who gives everyone an awkward look. Julie's so agreeable and quiet that I actually forget she's there most of the time.

We wander away from the booth in front of a little garden with scarecrows. "But girls would be interested in you if you tried a little," Viv offers helpfully. "Like wear cologne. Or slick your hair back nice." Finn rolls his eyes.

"Since when do you know anything about guys or fashion?" Ruby asks. "The problem isn't his hair or his smell. He's a neat freak. And he’s too uptight. His idea of fun is organizing the house. Girls like bad boys. Right Aimee? Like Jack?”

“Leave Jack out of this,” Finn mutters. The face he makes, like he just downed a glass of sour milk, causes me to bend at the waist and cover a chuckle with my palm.

“Don’t pick on your dad,” I say, when I finally recover. “There’s someone out there for everyone. You know, somewhere. Might be somewhere far away, but?—”

"Alright, this episode of Unwanted Advice from Three Single Women is officially over." He takes Vivian's arm and fastens a bracelet to her wrist.

"Well, there's always Maggie," Julie says. "If you get desperate."

Finn chokes. And Vivian laughs.

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