Free Falling Star by Olivia Brynn

their spoons clacked against their ice-cream bowls, otherwise the silence was thick.
    Jade tried to think objectively. She wasn't the type to fall hard and fast. Was she seduced by his appearance? His mysterious aura? If she ended up hurt, would she be the only one surprised? She watched Dean shovel ice cream into his tight-lipped mouth.
    By the time her bowl was empty, Jade came to the conclusion that Dean was right. An unbiased opinion about Adam Herlihey wouldn't hurt. Still irritated, she cocked her head and finally spoke. "So I can be ready to go, but I have to wait for your approval tomorrow?"
    "Don't get your hopes up." He wiped his mouth with a napkin and continued glaring at his bowl. "I don't put much stock in first impressions."
    Jade squealed, all anger forgotten. She ran around the island with her arms open, and hugged his back where he sat. "I know you'll like him. He's polite and smart and—oh, he plays guitar!"
    "And he's cute too. I know, I know. But so was the Hillside Strangler."
    "Oh, Dean. You take such good care of me." She kissed his cheek, even though he pouted. "Maybe Alfred is right. I think I'm falling for you."
    "Too bad, toots. You're missing some vital parts. Just… fuck …go pack your things. I have to see about getting myself a three-day date for next weekend. You're paying me back for this."
    She was almost to her bedroom when she heard him yell down the hallway after her. "That's if you go!"
    She called Adam as soon as she threw the first bikini into her duffle bag.
    "Good news?"
    She loved his voice. The baritone had a smooth whiskey fullness that surrounded her. "Mostly. He wants to meet you first."
    "Oh."
    When he didn't continue, she giggled. "Don't tell me you're scared."
    "That all depends. What does he bench?"
    She held a tank top up and studied her reflection in the mirror. "I'm not sure. He's a really huge guy, six-five, maybe four hundred pounds, so maybe three fifty?" Actually Dean pressed two ninety. He bragged about it the other day.
    "He's pretty protective of you, isn't he?" It wasn't a question.
    "Yeah, he has nothing better to do. Once I get him settled in some nice guy's arms, he'll back off."
    "I've got a few single friends, should I bring one along with me tomorrow?"
    "Dean is the pickiest man I've ever met. Don't waste your time."
    "I'm not worried. You just be ready to go."
    "I'm packing right now. Anything special on the agenda, or should I just pack the basic shorts and tee shirts?"
    "Hmm, what would you say if I told you not to bother packing clothes at all?"
    Her stomach fluttered. "I'd say we'd better be far off shore, and I should pack extra sunscreen."
    "Don't worry too much. The boat is stocked with the essentials. We won't be roughing it by any means."
    She sighed. "I can't wait." She finished packing with the phone at her ear, and a silly grin on her face. Once the duffle bag was zipped, she threw herself onto her bed.
    They talked for over an hour. He seemed genuinely interested when he asked about her six years in Colombia.
    "It wasn't like in the movies. We had a very nice modern hotel to come home to every night, clean water, good food. It was like a six year vacation. I came home every four months for a week, and then three weeks at Christmas." She tried to steer the conversation away from herself, Dean and Alfred, but he'd surprise her with another insightful question about her calling.
    "It's no wonder you and Dean are so close. I don't think I know many brothers and sisters who've spent as much time together as you two."
    "That's probably true. Of course growing up with four brothers made me a little bit of a tomboy. I relate to men pretty easily due to that."
    "I'm so glad your parents tried one more time."
    His comment warmed her blood, and curiously gave her goose bumps at the same time. "And I'm glad your parents got a surprise."
    He chuckled. "Well then I'd better stop by a little early tomorrow for my interview with The Warden."
    "Good idea."