There’s Korie again, slipping into my head without warning. But they’re right. I do rush things. Just look at how quickly I asked them on a second fake date. No timeline, no building up the moment. I just went for it, without even thinking about it.
I catch myself smiling, recalling how they’d looked that night, with the sun in their eyes, the gloss on their lips, the way they’d felt pressed against my side…
Shit.
Nope.
Not doing that here.
“Hey,” Seth says, snapping his fingers in front of my face. “You good?”
“Yeah.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.” I nod once, firmer this time. “I’m good.”
He watches me for another second. “Alright. Here, you take over spotting Declan for me, then. I’m gonna go run that overhang route.” He grins over his shoulder as he walks away. “Try not to forget my husband while you’re there.”
“No promises.”
He laughs, heading off.
I stare up at the wall just as the creak of the front door reaches my ears. I look over and grin instantly.
They’re here.
Korie steps inside, glancing around like they’re orienting themselves, even though they’ve been here a hundred times. Habit, maybe? Or just taking it in.
They’re dressed in tight-fitting purple shorts and a loose white tank top.
I wait until they check in, then whistle to get Korie’s attention. “Hey. Kor! Over here.”
They walk over, smiling. “Hey.”
“You made it.”
Korie raises an eyebrow. “You sound surprised.”
“I mean.” I shrug one shoulder. “It’s just good to see you, is all.”Really good.Fuck, why is my heart beating so fast?
Their hazel eyes, painted with soft shimmery eyeshadow, soften before they follow the lead up to see who I’m supposed to be spotting. “Is that Declan?”
“Yeah. Seth is here too, in the advanced section.”
Korie folds their arms as they watch.
I gesture to the pile of harnesses. “You remember how to put that on, or do I need to give you a full tutorial?”
They shove me. “Please. I climbed long before you worked here.”
“Yeah, but I’m the professional now,” I say, puffing my chest out dramatically.
“Uh-huh. Debatable.”
“Ouch.”
Pride flashes in Korie’s eyes. Then they snatch a harness from the pile and step into it, tightening it with practiced ease. I watch for a second before forcing myself to look away. Because yeah. I definitely shouldnotbe looking at my best friend’s ass like that.
