Page 46 of The Proximity Effect

Evan looked from me to Archer. “At least we’re talking about it instead of plotting behind each other’s backs.”

The truth in his words hung heavy between us. We’d grown up since college, learned from our mistakes, or at least, I hoped we had. But as I watched Archer’s rigid posture and caught the uncertainty in Evan’s eyes, I wondered if we were setting ourselves up for another spectacular crash and burn.

I shifted in the back seat of Archer’s SUV, my ankle propped up on a pillow Tessa had insisted on bringing. The throbbing had dulled to an annoying ache, but that wasn’t what had my stomach in knots. It felt like for the first time since we’d arrived at Sterling Pines, we were all in agreement about something—even if that something was taking the same woman to dinner. It usually took a miracle to get us to agree on anything these days.

Archer adjusted his rearview mirror for the fifth time in as many minutes, checking on Tessa in the backseat with me. As if sensing eyes on her, she looked away from where she had been watching the scenery pass us by and let out a squeak of surprise that reminded me of a startled mouse. Archer cleared his throat and loosened his tie like it was trying to strangle him.

“So!” Evan’s voice was way too cheerful, like a TV show host who had too much candy. “This is fun, right?”

“Super fun.” Tessa had returned to staring intently out the window, her reflection showing she was biting her lower lip. “Just four adults going to dinner. All of us together. Going to dinner. Like normal people do. Because this is totally normal. Nothing weird about it. Plus, it’s not like I haven’t seen all of your—” She slapped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide with horror, and I had to admire how quickly she could shift from composed to catastrophe.

I burst out laughing, unable to help myself. The tension in the car had been thick, and her verbal stumbles were like a pressure release valve we desperately needed.

“What was that?” Archer’s eyes snapped to the rearview mirror again, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. The man looked ready to snap it in half.

“Nothing!” Tessa’s voice hit a pitch that probably had dogs howling three towns over. “I was thinking about... ducks! Yes, ducks. Did you know male ducks have corkscrew-shaped?—”

“Please don’t finish that sentence,” Archer groaned, while Evan dissolved into giggles from the passenger seat. I caught Tessa’s mortified expression and had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from losing it completely.

“Speaking of things that are shaped like corkscrews,” Evan managed to get out, wiping tears from his eyes.

“I will push you out of this moving vehicle,” I threatened, though I couldn’t keep the grin off my face.

Evan turned in his seat and looked at my foot propped in Tessa’s lap. “You can barely walk. Besides, I was going to talk about the path to Eagle Point. Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Says the man who demonstrated a coital technique with his bathrobe,” Tessa mumbled, then immediately turned the color of a fire truck. I made a mental note to ask about that story later, preferably when Archer wasn’t behind the wheel.

Archer accelerated, and the rearview mirror got another workout. At this rate, he was going to wear out the thing before we even reached the restaurant.

“The what technique?” I had never heard of it, but judging from her facial expression and knowing Evan, it was sexual.

“Nothing!” Tessa practically shouted, her hands flailing in panic. “I actually searched for it because I thought he was full of shit, but it’s real and called the CAT technique for short. You know how cats stretch? Like, really long and... oh God, someone please stop me from talking.”

“I don’t know, Tessa.” Evan was clearly enjoying himself, practically bouncing in his seat. “I thought my explanation in the steam room was pretty thorough. Especially later when I?—”

Tessa launched herself forward between the front seats to put her hand over Evan’s mouth, and I sucked in a sharp breath as her body pressed into my foot. The pain was worth it for the view, though I’d never admit that out loud.

“Oh! Shit. I’m sorry!” Tessa sat back, her hand slipping under my jeans to my ankle. Her touch was cool, and my skin broke out in goosebumps. “I completely forgot your foot was there. Did I hurt you?”

“No.” I shut my eyes as her fingers stroked my skin, trying not to focus on how good it felt or how much I wanted her to continue.

“This doesn’t have to be awkward, you know.” Evan turned forward in his seat, suddenly serious. “We’re all adults here.”

“Adults who’ve all seen my—” Tessa started, then caught herself again, looking like she wanted to melt into the leather seats. “My... professional cooking skills. In the kitchen. Where cooking happens. And nothing else.”

Archer made a strangled noise that might have been a laugh. Coming from him, that was practically rolling on the floor.

“Right.” I fought to keep a straight face, remembering certain moments that definitely didn’t involve cooking. “Just like how we’ve all experienced your stargazing abilities.”

“And your massage appreciation.” Evan snorted.

“And your ice cream-eating technique.” Archer spoke so quietly I almost missed it, but the tips of his ears were red.

Tessa slumped down in her seat, covering her face with her hands. “I think I liked it better when you were all trying to pretend nothing happened. Can we go back to the awkward silence?”

“Nope!” Evan rubbed his hands together. “This is way more entertaining. Tell us more about those ducks.”

“I hate all of you.” She tried her best to sound annoyed but failed.

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