Pushing away from the wall, she dressed quickly and opened the door. Rachael met her eyes. “I was a bitch.”
“You’ve just lost your brother, Fin. You’re allowed to be an emotional whackjob right now.”
“Ryan isn’t.”
“Men like him are trained to lock that shit down.”
Fin frowned. “But then … where does it all go?”
“My guess would be wherever he goes,” she said softly. She snatched the clothes out of Fin’s hand and smiled. “Now let’s go spend some money.”
Fin shook her head. “Rachael.”
“Fin,” she sing-songed, turning around and heading for the front counter.
The salesgirl gave them both a bright smile as she rang up the purchase. “Do you have Hollywood Tape?”
Fin looked at her. “Do I have what?”
“Boob tape,” Rachael said loudly. “And yes, we’ve got some, thanks.”
The salesgirl gave another bright smile as she handed over the bags. Rachael took them, thanking her, and they headed out of the store. Fin looked at Rachael over her shoulder as she walked down the small set of stairs and onto the street. “I can’t believe you have me wearing boob tape of all things.”
Not watching where she was going, her heel caught on the bottom step and she pitched forward. The hard chest she smacked into stopped her from falling into a heap on the sidewalk.
“Oh shit,” she mumbled.
Strong, tanned hands came out to steady her. “Did someone say boobs?”
Her arms caught in a firm grip, Fin looked upwards into rich, hazel eyes that went wide with recognition as they focused on her face.
“Kyle?”
“Fin!” Grief swept briefly across his face before it was wiped away by a broad grin. His arms came around her and he lifted her up, her feet dangling off the ground until she was looking directly in his eyes. “How are you doing?”
Fin held onto his shoulders as she was suspended in his arms. “You know.”
His eyes softened. “I do.”
“Should you be lifting me?” she asked.
“I’m fine, honey. It was just a scratch.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’m glad you’re okay.” She blinked them away as Kyle looked at Rachael standing to her left. “You remember Rachael, don’t you?”
He gave Rachael a wink. “How could I forget?”
High colour hit Rachael’s cheekbones, and Fin smothered a laugh. Clearing her throat, she looked pointedly down at the ground.
Kyle ignored the silent demand to put her down. Instead, a cheeky glint lit his eyes as he arched a brow at her. “Where’s my penguin?”
Laughter bubbled out of her. “Are you serious?”
“You’re holding out on me, honey. I’ve never seen a penguin before. I was looking forward to having one of my own.”
“I don’t believe you. You haven’t been to Penguin Island?”
“That depends.”
She raised a brow. “On what?”
“Are you going to take me?”
Fin chuckled and pushed at his chest. “You can put me down now.”
She slid slowly down his body as he let her go. Reaching for her hand, he grabbed hold. “What are we doing today, ladies?” He looked at the bags Rachael clutched in her hands. “Shopping?”
“Brooks!”
Kyle turned and Fin peered around him, seeing a car parked farther down the road. One guy was leaning his back against the passenger window, another was resting his forearms over the open car door on the driver’s side. Both were looking at them.
He waved them off and turned back to look at Fin and Rachael.
“We’re taking Fin out tonight, so we needed to get her something to wear,” Rachael said in answer to his question.
He looked at Fin, the bright midday sun shining through his golden brown hair. “Out, huh?”
“Maybe,” she mumbled.
“We’re going,” Rachael said firmly. “Fin needs to get out.”
“Where are you off to?”
Fin sighed as Rachael told him.
“Hurry up, mate!” came another shout from the car.
Letting go of Fin’s hand, Kyle turned around and waved off their impatience. “Gotta get going,” he told them and took Fin’s chin softly in his hand until she was looking at him. “Take care of yourself, honey.”
“Of course,” she murmured.
He nodded at Rachael and walked off.
“Oh, Fin?” he called out. Rachael and Fin, already walking off in the other direction, stopped and turned. “I’ll call you, okay?” he shouted, walking backwards. “You can take me out to Penguin Island like you promised.”
She shook her head, fighting a smile. “I didn’t promise you anything,” she shouted back.
Kyle grinned. “Are you sure about that?”
Reaching the car, he swung open the door as his friends hopped inside the car. He gave a brief wave before disappearing.
“Kyle’s huge,” Rachael announced. “And hot,” she added.
Fin looked at her. “Don’t go lusting after a soldier, Rachael. They’re not good for your health, particularly that one. I hear his package is footloose and fancy free.”
Rachael grinned and linked her arm with Fin’s. “Of course it is. Now. But that’s only because he’s waiting for the love of his life to just happen along.”