She would have been fine if I hadn’t pushed it.
“Let’s find the first-aid kit.” Before I overthink it, I wrap an arm around her shoulder and lead her away.
This is nothing. It’s me helping an employee. I would do this for anyone. That’s what I remind myself, but it feels less accurate with every step we take. It’s a goddamn lie. I care about my employees, but it’s nothing like how I care for Evie. She knows it, too. She must know it.
We sit on a log off to the side, and she places her hands on my lap. The weight is nothing, barely there, but I have to force my body to stay calm.
“We want to make sure nothing gets infected,” I mumble, cleaning the scrapes. “There’s not too much blood. Nothing to worry about there.”
“I lost my gloves…”
“That’s fine.” I dab her wounds, wiping the little bits of blood away—places where twigs and rocks dug into her soft skin. “When’s the last time you had a tetanus shot?”
“When I started college.”
“Less than ten years ago, then. Good.” I’m a scumbag. “Does it sting?”
She flinches. “Just a little.”
“Silly of me to ask.” I look up, smiling softly. “Itisan open wound. You can take a pain reliever.”
She’s so, so soft. Fragile and sweet. I’ve never been attracted to that, but when it’s her… it makes sense. I’m attracted to everything about her, even if it means we’re different.
“Thank you for taking care of me.” The words are soft, and she clears her throat as if she can add some hardness to her voice. It doesn’t work. Even though she always speaks in a low timbre, everything she says is so sweet. “I’m sure my brother would appreciate it.”
We’re on the other side of the world, and it’s too easy to forget about her brother—but he’s a part of this. A part I haven’teven considered. If messing up my workplace isn’t enough to keep me away from her, hurting my friend should be.
“Nah. He’ll kill me.” I chuckle. “This is all my damn fault.”
“It isn’t! I was clumsy—and I took off my gloves. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t done that.”
“Evie.” I fix her with a glare—not harsh, but firm. “This isn’t your fault. We don’t have to blame me, either. Let’s blame… the rocks, sticks, or whatever you tripped over.”
“The roots,” she mumbles.
“Yeah. That.”
She smiles, the first genuine smile I’ve seen in days. I know when she’s faking it. She always gives a sickeningly sweet smile to others, and ever since we kissed, she’s been giving it to me, too. I still love her feigned smile, even if it’s not my favorite. It feels like a secret weapon—a reminder of her strength.
How she looks at me now is different. It’s better than anything I could ask for. Her blue eyes sparkle in the sunlight, and her smile is gentle—still sweet but not forced.Thisis my favorite smile. I’ll do anything if it means she’s still looking at me like this.
I’m leaning in, aren’t I? That’s not… I shouldn’t… God, where are we? With her. I’m with her and Mother Nature; that’s all I care about. Evie’s hand on my chest grounds me, but not as well as it could. I need more of her touch, even if it means she’s pushing me away.
“Sorry.” I sit back and scratch my cheek, fingers rubbing against my stubble. “Come on. Let me walk you back to the cabin.”
“I’m… I’m fine.” She rises. “I want to walk alone if that’s all right.”
Alone. A single word has me fighting myself, wanting to keep her safe, notwantingher to walk alone. She’s already been goingoff alone—to town, to the grocery store—but last time I sent her off on her own, she got hurt.
I can’t stop her from doing whatever she wants.
“Sure. Whatever you think is best.” I exhale through my nose and nod.
She’s right. We need some time apart. I need to collect myself. This was all a terrible idea.
Chapter Sixteen
THEO
