“Is this thing battery operated?” she asked.
He nodded. “I had Amazon overnight it.” He patted the downed tree. “Come on. It’s warm.”
She was about to tell him no, but then a brisk wind blew, rattling the trees overhead and cutting through her jacket like a sharp knife. She skittered over to his sofa log and huddled in beside him.
“Okay, yeah, this is much better,” she admitted.
“Told you.” He pulled her in tighter. “Now, if wereallywanted to warm up, I’ve heard body heat is the best kind of heat.”
“That’s such a weak come-on.” She laughed. “It’s a good thing you’re rich and adorable, because your flirting game is trash.”
“It’s the best I can do with a tree knob jabbing my ass.” He turned the dial up a notch on the heater. “And what’s up with calling me adorable? Adorable is for koala bears.”
“Sorry.” She hunched her shoulders in apology. “It’s not my fault you’re adorable. Take that up with your parents. You know, when you can look them in the eye again.”
“That’s not funny.”
Taylor bit her bottom lip in an effort not to laugh, but she couldn’t hold it in. “I’m so sorry. I promise to never tease you about it again. Unless you end up with a new little brother or sister, then all bets are off.”
“That was brutal,” he said, doubling over as if she’d punched him in the gut. “If I didn’t think I’d get lost on my way to the car, I would leave you out here.”
“No you wouldn’t,” she said. “That was the last one. I will never bring up that subject again.” She held up her pinky finger. “I swear.”
“I don’t believe you. Get that old stank finger away from me.”
Nowshewas the one doubling over. Taylor laughed until her sides hurt. The fact that his face remained stoic just made her laugh harder.
“You done?” he asked.
She wiped tears from her eyes. “I am,” she said. She was relieved to see the hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
“So, what do we do out here in the wilderness?”
“That’s what we’re supposed to figure out, although I’m not sure we’re doing the best job of it. True survivalists wouldn’t have a tent, or a heater, or a backpack full of turkey jerky, protein bars, and wine in a can.”
“You have wine? Crack that shit open.”
Taylor hooked the toe of her hiking boot under the strap of her backpack and dragged it closer. She unzipped it and pulled out two cans of cabernet and a bag of pistachios.
“This is only a trial run, so it’s not as if we have to do everything the people who sign up for the experience will do. I just wanted to get a feel for the area.”
“I think you wanted to get me out here in the wild so you could have your way with me,” Jamar said.
“Your jokes are still corny, but youaregetting better at flirting,” she said. “As for the survivalist workout, I think the three-mile hike, along with having to put together a shelter—with materials that I’ll bring in ahead of time, of course—and foraging for food will be enough. That sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”
“There you go again with that twisted idea of fun. Your family must love when it’s your turn to come up with the holiday activities.”
“Yeah, as if they would ever allow me to do that,” Taylor said with a snort.
The amusement faded from his expression. “Why wouldn’t they?”
She shrugged. “They just wouldn’t. I’m kind of the black sheep, so when it comes to family fun, I’m usually not consulted.”
“What did you do? Try to force them to eat kale too?”
“Ha,” she deadpanned. “You’re still not funny.”
“Come on. You have to give me credit for that one.”
