Tanner and I exchange a subtle nod and shake hands.

“Oh!” Kinsley exclaims, both our eyes snapping back to her. “I forgot to introduce Tanner to Lou-loo; I’m sorry, girl!” She coos and Tanner scratches Lou’s neck.

With that declaration I release a shaky breath. Why do I feel so on edge right now? Kinsley crouches down to scratch behind Lou’s ears and I shake my head in amusement.

“I need a coffee,” Tanner announces with tension lacing his statement, obviously feeling the same sense of unease as I do.

“Oooh yes!” Soph silently claps her hands in excitement and trails off behind Tanner. “I haven’t had my coffee fix today yet!”

Kins and I share a look, Sophie doesn’t need any caffeine. Tanner, on the other hand, could use some if it’ll allow him to lighten up. As if reading my thoughts, her lips pull into a thin line.

“Come on then, princess,” I say quietly, bumping her with my shoulder, as we follow the other two into the farmers market to find our coffee fix.

“For the picnic I was thinking of picking up some cheese and wine,” Kinsley says as we walk through the lines of market stalls.

“Yeah, and maybe some fresh sourdough or something,” Sophie adds. “You know like, the thick crusty kind?”

Kins glances at me with a smirk, knowing all too well that my stomach is rumbling in agreement.

“Hey, my stomach appreciates good food, it’s nothing to be ashamed about.”

“Your stomach would appreciate any kind of food Jess,” she laughs.

The girls shop up a storm and before we know it we are back at the ute loading fresh bread, deli meats, cheeses, and fresh fruit into the picnic basket in the back. Sophie holds a bottle of wine and paper cups close to her chest as if they are her most prized possession, swaying on her feet.

“Meet you two there!” she says and the girls exchange excited smiles. Tanner drapes his arm over Kinsley’s shoulders and nods towards me before leading her towards his bike. ‘Be safe.’ I internally call out to them. The thought of her on the back of that bike sends a shiver up my spine. When did she go from hanging out the window of my ute, on long dirt roads with the wind in her hair, to riding backpack with a tattooed grump?

Chapter Eleven

Tanner

I double tap Kinsley’s left leg to let her know to lean with me around the bend. I’ve never really had girls ride on the back of my bike. Which is the total opposite of the boys I grew up with. I swear they got off just on the thought of girls pressed up close behind them; they were always flaunting their bikes around.