“The protective thing?”
“You know.” I gestured vaguely at his broad frame. “Stepping in front of me like a human bear shield.”
He paused. “That wasn’t intentional.”
“You liar.”
His mouth twitched. “Okay, it was partially intentional. I feel like I need some street cred around you.”
“But just for the record.” I crossed my arms. “I don’t need a shield.”
“You’re right,” he said. “You don’t.”
Something in his eyes flicked downward, softening, just for a fraction of a breath, and that flicker sent my thoughts tumbling into dangerous, slippery terrain.
I suddenly became hyper-aware of everything:
The cold air. The hum of adrenaline.
How close we were. How warm his breath looked in the freezing air.
How badly I needed to get it together.
I forced a breath. “So. That happened.”
“Yes.”
“And it won’t happen on the actual trip,” I said. “Because we already got it out of the way.”
“Is that how it works?” he teased.
“In my world,” I said.
“I like your world.”
“Smart man.” I smiled, feeling all those annoying feelings swell up again.
“I like to think some of the time.”
“Good. Well, we’re in total agreement. Excellent teamwork. Go us.”
He studied me again, and I felt my stomach do the little dippy thing.
“We should get started,” he said.
“Yes,” I agreed enthusiastically. “Before I process feelings.”
He blinked. “…What?”
“I said before I process thetrail conditions. Trail conditions.”
He nodded slowly, even though he absolutely knew that wasn’t what I said.
Kill me,I thought.
With the bear encounter behind us, Carson lifted both our packs with unfair ease and slung them over his shoulders.
Show-off.
