“You’re fine,” I said warmly. “Happens more than you’d think.”
A soft voice behind me chimed in.
“It really does,” Sienna said, sliding beside us, expression perfectly angelic. “Carson has a… magnetic quality.”
I shot her a warning look.
She ignored it.
Jenna looked between us. “Are you two—?”
“No,” we said at the same time.
“Professional partners,” Sienna added quickly.
“Guides,” I clarified.
“Outdoor associates,” she said.
“Not a thing,” I murmured.
She elbowed me lightly and whispered, “Outdoor Associates is adorable, admit it.”
“It’s not.”
“It is.”
Jenna laughed nervously. “Okay, sorry I misread. You two just have… chemistry.”
Sienna looked like she might combust. “Chemistry? Us? No. Nuh-uh. Zero chemistry. Absolutely none.”
I lifted one brow.
She winced. “Well. I didn’t meanzero.Just—look, the point is…”
She flailed a little, then pivoted with the grace of a dropped backpack.
“Who’s hungry? Let’s get some food! Trail snacks?!”
The group cheered.
I stared.
She avoided my eyes.
But when she finally dared a quick glance, her expression flickered—mortification, amusement, and something else I couldn’t quite define all tangled together.
We walked on, side by side again, the banter simmering beneath us like a familiar current.
“You okay?” I murmured.
“Absolutely not,” she said cheerfully.
“You sure?”
“I’m spectacularly unokay,” she whispered, smiling. “And enjoying it.”
I chuckled under my breath. “Glad to hear it.”
