Page 106 of Through the Storms

“I should have asked her out myself.” Britt turned to Riley. “Don’t you think Oakley should have kept her nose out of it?”

Riley met Chloe’s gaze before she looked at Britt. “You got the girl. It doesn’t matter how you got her. The important thing is that you did.”

Riley knew her words were loaded, but she didn’t care. It was how she felt.

Oakley swiveled her hips and broke into an outlandish dance.

Britt pointed at Riley. “You’re right. I did win.” She glowered at Oakley. “And screw you, Oak, because I did get the prize.”

“You’re welcome.” Oakley threw her arm over Britt’s shoulder as they both laughed.

Riley hazarded a glance back at Chloe, who was staring at her. Chloe held her gaze for several beats before she gave Riley a sad smile and turned away.

CHAPTER 39

“Hey, babe,” Oakley saidwhen Lana answered the phone. “How’s everything at tornado central?”

“Wild,” Lana answered. “At last report, ten tornadoes have already touched down in Oklahoma, and it’s not quite noon yet. Have you seen any of them?”

“We caught two,” Oakley answered. “Chased one that I was sure was going to pop, but it roped out.”

“Where are you?”

“Just stopped to grab a bite to eat in Edmond. The crew is inside ordering lunch, so I thought I’d give you a call. I needed a consult.”

“Ah, so you’re just using me for my expertise? I see how it is.”

Hearing Lana’s playful tone, the tension in Oakley’s shoulders eased. Oakley had been apprehensive all morning, wondering how their first conversation after last night would go. “You know I find it sexy when you talk weather.”

Lana laughed. “Well, I’m gonna get all kinds of sexy. Have you seen the CAPE numbers coming in?”

“I did. Any predictions?”

“Off the record…uh, unofficially?”

“Always is.”

“I’m worried about south of the city.”

“Moore?”

“No, I’m thinking farther south. Down around Chickasha. Maybe even farther—Summerton.”

“Summerton? Why does that sound familiar? Did a big one hit there recently?” Oakley searched her mind but came up blank.

“Not that I recall.” The sound of Lana tapping on her keyboard came through the phone. “Nope. Not seeing anything.”

“Do you have any timeframe guestimates?”

“Later this afternoon. Three, four, maybe even five. It depends on how things shape up.”

“I was thinking the same.” Oakley looked at the screen in front of her. “There’s something brewing to the northwest, too. Coming sooner rather than later.”

“I agree, but I don’t think it’s gonna be near as powerful as what comes later.”

Oakley grinned. Lana would never tell her what to do, but she’d given Oakley enough hints. “You’re telling me not to stray too far north, or I’m apt to miss something big to the south.”

“That’s your call.” Lana’s grin was evident.