“Fine,” Joanna said. “We’ll let you get settled in, but we’ll come visit you soon enough.”
They both winked at me then turned and headed to the bar. Subtle as two skunks in a rose garden.
“Are they a package deal?” I asked Natalie.
She laughed and pushed at my shoulder. Molly chuckled, and Tessa sniffled a laugh. “Are we all set for the ride tomorrow, Mol?”
Molly nodded, squeezing Tessa for a moment. “Want to come? We’re going to take Falyn up Government Trail.”
“Don’t think so.” Tessa wiped her eyes.
“Oh, c’mon. A bunch of us are going. It’ll be fun.”
“Maybe. I’m waiting to hear back from those California buyers tomorrow.”
“You work too hard,” Molly said.
“That’s what Kathleen always said.”
Molly flinched, clearly upset at being compared to what sounded like a pretty dickish girlfriend. “Take a day off.”
“I’ll let you know.”
Molly didn’t look satisfied with the answer, but she was smart enough to realize that pushing harder might bring on additional tears. Tessa looked like a wreck at this point. She needed a tub of ice cream, a package of cookies, and a dozen episodes of some chick show to drown in for a while.
I wasn’t sure if it would be more entertaining to have sad Tessa along for a ride with a bunch of people I didn’t know. I might be able to figure out just how badly Molly had it for this lost cause, but it might be a little too much drama for an afternoon off.
“There’s Rachel. I better go say hello,” Tessa told us, giving Molly’s hand a squeeze and moving toward the entrance.
“Did you know that about Kathleen?” Vivian asked Molly.
She shook her head, surprise rounding her eyes. “Three years and she never once told her she loved her? What kind of cold bitch is she?”
“Pretty cold.”
“You never really liked her, though, did you? We all thought she was the perfect girlfriend, but you never seemed fooled.”
Vivian shrugged. “Tessa vented about Kathleen a few times. I had a hard time moving past that.”
“You were right.”
“I don’t like being right about stuff like that.”
“You can say that again.”
“I’m just glad I never have to worry about that, right, babe?” Vivian smiled at Natalie.
“Never,” Natalie confirmed, leaning in for a soft kiss.
Molly rolled her eyes before landing on mine. She shrugged and smiled. Again, I found myself comfortable around her when I’d only just met her. A week in and things were a thousand times better for me already.
The gang Molly assembled for the bike ride ranged in skill from okay to expert. I liked them all, especially the two that slowed us down most of the afternoon. Dwight, another designer that Natalie worked with, and Kelsey, a friend of Molly’s, made us laugh the entire day. Vivian added to their comedy routine by goading Dwight with tales of their design school days. Everyone got along, despite being a mixed bag of friends. I tried keeping track of who was whose friend and why their significant others weren’t on the trip, but it only mattered that there was no sign of the drama from the bar last night. Of course, sad Tessa had skipped the bike ride.
“You’re hardcore.” Molly slipped back beside me on a mountain bike slightly nicer than mine. Her eyes skated over my pumping thighs.
“You’re not even winded,” I pointed out. I knew my cheeks would be red with exertion, but Molly looked like we were enjoying a ride on a neighborhood street instead of a rugged mountain trail.
“I wouldn’t have a job if I were.”
“There’s no one crazy enough to do that job but you, Mol,” Dwight called out from the back of the herd.
“You deal with rich d-bags who remodel their homes every year like they’re playing in a dollhouse and you think I’ve got the crazy job?”
“Your rich d-bags ask you to ski them off a cliff in the winter,” Kelsey piped up.
“My rich d-bags give you great tips, Kelsey. You should be on my side.”
Her giggle turned into a groan. “Can we stop, please?”
“Mol’s showing off,” Dwight teased loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Shut it!” Molly barked but didn’t seem truly bothered. She slowed her pace to a stop, so we could step off and take a look at the view.
“Got her.” Lena nudged Dwight’s shoulder as they chortled together.
Molly just shook her head, exasperated. “You want to stay sane in this town?” She drew a questioning brow at me. “Don’t hang out with him.” Her thumb jerked over her shoulder at Dwight.
“I’m your best friend,” Dwight teased.
“You’re my best pain,” Molly teased back.
“Kids.” Vivian stepped between them. “We’re trying to make Falyn want to stay, not give her a reason to leave.”
“Please,” Natalie agreed. “She’s only been here a week. She hasn’t had to put up with any rich d-bags yet.”
James, who was either Vivian or Dwight’s friend, piped up, “I’m a rich d-bag.”
“You’re a city worker,” his friend Spencer pointed out. That was how he’d introduced himself to me when I met him coming out of the house next to mine. Curtis later told me Spencer was actually the mayor.
“What’s your story, Falyn?” Kelsey asked as we all took seats on an overhanging rock that looked out at one of the ski areas.
I felt my heart rate kick up. I never liked this question before I went to prison. Hated it after.
“We worked together back in Boulder,” Natalie supplied for me, probably recognizing the panicked look on my face. “She was the only other woman on the crew. Remember that one guy?” She looked at me before continuing. “We had this foreman who spent half the workday taking bets on the stupidest things.”
“Yeah, like how many times the klutz on the crew would drop his drill before morning break,” I inserted, relieved that Natalie was giving me a “story” without giving the story.
“And the rest of the day smoking, drinking spiked coffee, and flirting with the lunch truck lady.”
“No one flirts with me,” Kelsey pouted as everyone laughed.
“Every man that takes one of our tours flirts with her when she drops off their catered lunches,” Molly supplied for me. Both she and Natalie were helping to keep me from feeling lost in this tightknit group. It was a sweet gesture from a woman who didn’t know me but must have felt obligated because she’d cobbled the group together.
“Every man in town flirts with her,” Lena added.
My eyes roamed over Kelsey again. She was cute enough, but it was the big boobs that must prompt the excessive flirting.
“Exaggeration,” Kelsey groaned.
“Ha! The last time you catered my client’s post-reno housewarming party, you got two marriage proposals.” Dwight slung an arm around her shoulders and squeezed until they were both laughing. He seemed to have that effect on everyone. “By the way, Natalie, darling, sweetie, lovely woman—”
“Uh-oh, I know that tone,” Molly said. “Make a break for it while you can, Nat.”
“Don’t,” Kelsey moaned and rubbed her thighs. “I can’t move yet.”
“As I was saying,” Dwight sighed dramatically, making everyone smile. “Would you have time to stop by my project for a teensy, tiny, little job?”
“How is that a ‘by the way?’ And you never do little jobs,” Vivian teased.
“We failed our last inspection. I’m desperate.”
Everyone turned to James. “Don’t blame me for Burt’s incompetence. Time to get a new contractor.”
That was the city work he did? A building inspector? Crazy. No contactor I’d ever worked with would spend two extra minutes with a city inspector.
“I would, but
somebody
keeps hogging the best contractor in town.” Dwight shot blazing eyes at Vivian.
Everyone turned to look at her. She smiled smugly and wrapped her arms around Natalie. “Damn right I am.”
“Please tell me I didn’t look that sickening when Glory and I were getting together,” Lena joked.
“Worse,” Spencer retorted, getting a laugh. “She used to conveniently need to walk her dogs every night just as Glory was sitting out on her porch.”
“Dogs need routine,” Lena huffed, looking irked that Spencer had seen through her ruse.
Amusing group. No wonder Natalie hadn’t bothered to move back to Boulder when her boss decided to expand to Aspen for a housing development project.
I frowned. That was about the time I met the guy who convinced me that breaking into homes would be a good way to add excitement and riches to my life. Before that, Natalie and our other friends kept my outlook and attitude in check.
“Eh-hmm, eyes back to me,” Dwight kidded again. “So, Nat? Got time for a bid to save your good buddy’s stellar behind?” He lifted to one side and showcased an admittedly nice butt.
She shook her head. “I’m watching every inch of Viv’s home go up.”
“Our home,” Vivian inserted and kissed Natalie on the cheek.
“But you’ve got more people and a wonderful, talented electrician who can do my little job with her eyes closed. Surely you can find time to loan some of them to me?” He clasped his hands and pleaded with her.
She smiled as Vivian sighed. “If Falyn doesn’t mind being tossed onto another site.”
My eyes widened. No boss had ever asked if I cared where I was working each day. “I go where you tell me.”
“Wonderful. It’s settled then.” Dwight clapped his hands before Natalie could say one way or another.
“You’re in line behind me,” Lena spoke up.
“What? No.” Dwight looked at Natalie for confirmation.
“It’s for the drama club,” Lena told him.
“Oh, well, okay then. Everyone needs a good drama club.”
“You’re your own drama club,” Molly muttered.
He looked both affronted and amused and about to start a verbal war that I knew I wouldn’t be able to follow, so I asked, “What are we looking at?”
Molly pointed toward the mountain with skiers swishing their way down the slopes still abundant with snow. Very few traces of snow were left anywhere else. It was as if the mountain took it all from the rest of the town. “That’s Snowmass.” Her hand darted to the base of the mountain. “That’s the Village.”
“Good skiing for intermediates. How good are you?” James asked, assuming anyone who moved to Aspen would ski.
“Haven’t been in a while.” A long while, and given how inflated most prices had gotten, I doubted I’d be able to afford it if I stayed through the winter.
“You’re welcome to join us on the bunny slopes with my nephews this winter,” Vivian offered with a smile.
The statement warmed my heart. My boss’s girlfriend wanted me to stay on past completion of the project I’d been hired for. This past week had been the best I’d experienced in eight years. Hell, probably fifteen since the years before prison weren’t outright enjoyable either. It would be incredible to stay on Natalie’s crew among these warm friends and engaging outdoor activities.