Chase Me If You Can(48)
“How’d you end up making friends with the meteorologists?” I ask curiously. The researchers tend to keep to themselves for the most part.
“Did some work on one of their projects last year.”
I blink back my surprise. No one said a word last season. Wild Wes and a methodical research team aren’t exactly the type of pairing I’d expect, but then again, he hasn’t been nearly as wild as his reputation implies since we’ve been on the road together.
Or maybe he’s just on his best behavior with me.
Unease settles into my thoughts. Kissing Wes was so natural, so right, that my doubts faded easily into the background. Now that we’ve been back in the car for a couple of hours, I can’t help wondering what the hell I was thinking. In all the years I’ve known him, he’s never had a girlfriend so much as a series of hookups, flings, and rumors.
But this isn’t the time—or place—to have a heart-to-heart. I take a long drink of water, shove my worries aside, and pocket my keys after locking the car.
Jealousy curdles in my stomach when Wes beelines for two attractive women and introduces me. Chloe is wearing a National Weather Service jacket, the deep navy color suiting her dark hair and olive complexion. The rest of her clothes are similar to mine, hair piled in a messy bun and her smile friendly. Haley is a petite and curvy blonde in a faded University of Oklahoma hoodie, a long braid falling over one shoulder.
“Wes has told me so much about you. I’ve been meaning to get in touch,” Chloe says warmly and then holds up her left hand, sunlight sparkling off her engagement ring. “Your work is gorgeous. I’m not sure I can afford you, but any chance you’re free to come to Oklahoma in September? We’re not planning anything too fancy, just a small thing at a local park.”
Finding out that Wes has been shamelessly plugging my wedding work sends the little green monster in my head slinking back into her cave. Especially when he props one elbow on my shoulder, effectively using me as an affectionate armrest.
I glance up at him, relaxing under the warmth of his gaze, and pull up my admittedly busy calendar. My website says I’m fully booked, but there’s usually room to squeeze someone in if they can be flexible. “September might be tough, but if you’re okay with something other than a Friday or Saturday night, I can probably make it work.”
Chloe lets out a squeal of delight, earning a laugh from her friend. Haley gives her a playfully chiding look before turning to me with mock seriousness. “Don’t let her monopolize you with wedding talk.”
“Oh, I don’t mind. Always happy to help another chaser out if I can,” I add with a wink.
I’ve never shot a wedding for another storm chaser, but Chloe doesn’t need to know that. Government employees aren’t exactly raking in the cash, and all of us out here rely on their forecasting. I can afford to cut her a deal, and besides that, it would be a nice break from the glitz and glam weddings.
“Heard about the new job,” Wes says to Haley, offering a friendly smile. “LA is a big step up. Congrats.”
She makes a face and exchanges a look with Chloe. “Yeah, it’s a huge opportunity, but I doubt I’ll be able to get as much time off for chasing. The schedule is crazy.”
There’s an echo of my own frustration with trying to balance chasing season with my bank account. I offer her a sympathetic smile. “If only tornadoes paid the bills, right?”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Haley laughs, something melancholy lingering in her smile. “You guys after anything in particular this year?”
Wes launches into an explanation of the Nature Shots contest, which eventually leads us into the forecast for the afternoon. Chloe pulls out her phone and hands it over to Wes with a wink. “You tell anyone I let you see the group chat and you’re a dead man.”
I glance back and forth between them. “What group chat?”
“Meteorologist group chat,” Wes explains, though he’s distracted. He’s quiet for a minute, scrolling through the conversation, and then returns the phone with an enormous grin. “We were heading in that direction anyway, but good to have it confirmed by the pros.” He turns toward me, excitement animating his expression. “Ready to go catch a tornado or two?”
“On camera.” I narrow my eyes, playfully stabbing a finger into his chest. “Only on camera.”
* * *
Tracy is waiting for me as soon as I step out of the bathroom.
“Hey, when did you get here? I was just heading back—”
“Nope, you’re not getting away that easily,” she cuts in, already tugging me around the side exit, away from where everyone else is gathered outside. “You’ve been ignoring my texts.”
“I texted you twenty minutes ago!”
“Yeah, but you ignored the ten messages before that.”
“Most people would take a hint,” I grumble, glancing around when she finally lets go. I give her a pointed look. “I don’t want to talk about Wes. There’s really nothing to talk about.”
Tracy’s brows shoot up. “You’ve been alone all this time and nothing has happened?”
My blush gives me away before I can come up with a response. Her eyes go wide, a knowing grin taking over her expression. “Something did happen!”