I roll my eyes. “I’ll be in for my next shift. Don’t give it away.”
“Sorry about that.” Noah snatches the cup off the counter. “What do I owe you?”
Mitch shakes his head. “It’s on the house. I’ll see you soon, Lily.”
“Thanks, man.”
Noah may say something else, but I push off the counter and head out the door to the truck. I climb in with enough time to watch Noah exit the diner. He repositions his hat on his head and dons his aviator sunglasses.
I squeeze the paper bag in my hand. For the safety of my pride and the off chance that Max decides to dive into the front seat and tear me to pieces for my burrito, I tuck the bag on the floorboard to save for later.
When Noah gets in, he sips his coffee and pulls the cup away with a surprised look on his face. “Pretty good.”
“Yep. Mitch has the coffee down,” I say, folding my arms across my front. I’m waiting for Ranger Ralph to comment on my undone seat belt, but he says nothing.
“Not going to eat?” Noah asks, backing out of the parking space.
I shake my head, gesturing toward Max, who licks his lips.
Noah chuckles in a way that reminds me of gooey marshmallow. “He knows better. Feel free to eat if you want. Max,platz.” Max lies down. “Braver Hund.”
“Impressive,” I deadpan, ignoring my food.
“Nah. I secretly bribe him with treats.”
I slowly nod, knowing he’s kidding but wondering why he feels the need to act casual with me. I’m not a warm and fuzzy person. My chronic sour face helps keep people from approaching me, which isn’t the greatest for my tips at the diner, but the barrier keeps me safe.
I don’t want to be approachable. Unfortunately, this rent-a-cop doesn’t get the message.
The rest of the ride to my car is silent besides the loud panting of Max in the back seat and the occasional dispatch call on the radio attached to Noah’s truck.
When we arrive at the trailhead, memories hit me of the violent storm and the electric jolt of panic that stretched out just long enough for me to realize I was slipping—my heart skipped, my stomach plummeted, and a sickening dread washed over me right before everything went dark.
Helplessness muddled with fear shocks me as the gut-wrenching events of yesterday crash over me.
I freeze, my hand on the handle of the passenger door. Reckless. Not returning to my car was reckless—would anyone have found me if there hadn’t been other people on the trail?
No. I’m not approachable, but I know deep down I owe my life to Noah. Even the other couple who stayed with me and waited for a response.
So while the past several years have hardened the girl I used to be, have twisted, shamed, and crushed my free spirit into infuriating torment, I know things could’ve been worse. Much worse.
“Thank you,” I whisper, unable to meet Noah’s gaze.
“Sure thing. You sure I can’t take you home? I’ll get your car there, too.”
“No. I mean … for yesterday. I, um …”
Noah gives me a sympathetic look and a small smile. “Just doing my job, Ms. Parker.”
“It’s Lily.” I jump out of the truck without looking back.
Chapter 6
Noah
Lily rushes to her car, and I wait as she digs for her keys and yanks open the door. An abundance of junk falls out: crumpled papers, a black hoodie, a gallon water jug?
Max whines in the back seat from being cooped up this morning, but I have the perfect plan to run him. There are a couple of trails I need to hike today to check on a few campers staying outside the designated areas.
