All Summer Long (Fool's Gold #9)(52)

As Clay led the pack in their final lap, she turned the concept over in her mind. No, she told herself as she walked over to the post she’d marked as the finish line. She was smarter than that. She knew Clay and liked him. He was safe and familiar. That was why he was her first choice for a sexual partner. She’d spent the past decade ignoring her sexual side and assuming being with a man was impossible. Of course it would take her a while to warm up to the idea. But she would get there. Her feelings weren’t about Clay.

The volunteers crossed the line one by one. Most of them tugged off their packs, let the weighted bag fall to the grass, then flopped down next to it, panting and exhausted. Clay stayed upright. He was breathing hard and sweaty, but not done in by the task.

“What else you got?” he asked with a wink.

“You’re saying I haven’t beaten you yet?”

“Not even close.”

She finished the workout with a stretching session and instructions for everyone to spend at least an hour a day on a stair-climber.

“Next week we hit the drill tower,” she reminded them. “It’s seven stories of stairs.”

One of the women raised up on an elbow. “Let me guess. We do it in full gear, with a hose on our back.”

Charlie grinned. “Not the first time.”

* * *

AN HOUR LATER, Charlie and Clay were settling onto a big blanket in the park for a late lunch. Neither of them had bothered showering so dining in a restaurant wasn’t the best choice. They’d settled on take-out sandwiches and a picnic.

Clay still wore the clothes he’d worked out in. A T-shirt and shorts. Despite the sweat stains on his shirt and the fact that he hadn’t shaved that morning, he looked good.

“Let me guess,” he said, sitting across from her. “You always have a blanket in your car.”

“Of course.”

“Along with a first-aid kit.”

She passed him one of the large sandwiches. He shoved straws into the drink containers.

“I’m not going to apologize for being prepared,” she told him. “Emergencies happen. I have training and if I’m first on the scene, I’m not going to be hampered by a lack of equipment. Before you ask, yes, there’s a fire extinguisher in my truck, as well.”

“Impressive.”

“Hardly. Everyone should carry one. It could save a life.”

His dark gaze settled on her face. “You’re earnest.”

“I’m also capable of beating the crap out of you.”

“You threaten me a lot.”

“I like threatening you.”

One corner of his mouth turned up. “There’s a famous philosopher who said that violence was the refuge of the unintelligent.”

“I’m guessing he also spent most of his school days with a wedgie.”

Clay laughed. “I like that you’re tough.”

“You say that because we’re practically having sex,” she said as she unwrapped her roast-beef sandwich. “But the truth is you like those little petite women with dainty feet and mouse sneezes.”

He took a bite of his sandwich and frowned. “Mouse sneezes?” he asked when he’d chewed and swallowed.

“Sure. They make this tiny noise that’s so delicate you have to ask if they sneezed. It’s annoying.”

“I don’t like mouse sneezers.”

“You say that now, but I know the truth.”

He shook his head. “Is this your idea of flirting? Telling me why I shouldn’t like you?”

“I’m not flirting. And you should like me. I’m great.”

“It is your modesty that first drew me to you.”

Charlie opened her bag of potato chips. “I’d throw one of these at you, but it would be a waste of junk food. A sin I never commit.”

They were in the town’s main park, close to the lake. Trees provided shade from the warm midday sun. There were people everywhere. Families, young couples, but Charlie felt that despite the crowd, she and Clay were alone.

She liked the way they laughed together, how they could tease each other. Being with him was easy. He was smart enough to be interesting but not so intelligent that he got on her nerves. He was funny and charming, but also kind. It seemed the older she got, the more she appreciated kindness in people.

She supposed if she were in a less mellow mood, she might have a crossing thought about them being seen together. One of the other volunteers could hint Clay was trying to get Charlie to take it easy on him. But she wasn’t overly concerned. Clay was the best in the group. Even with a good-size table tied to his back, he would still be the best at all the physical challenges. Well, assuming she wasn’t competing.

“Heard from Rafe and Heidi?” she asked.

“Mom said Heidi called to say they’d arrived and that Paris was beautiful. Otherwise, it’s been radio silence.”

“It’s their honeymoon. I guess that makes sense.”

Clay finished up his sandwich, then dropped the wrappings back into the paper bag. “Construction is finishing up on Mom and Glen’s new house.”

“That’s fast.”

“They paid for speedy service. I think they want to be on their own.”

“Is it strange having your mother fall in love?”