His chocolate brown eyes flecked with green look at me like lasers. “I’m okay.”
“You swear?” I say as I buckle my belt.
His lips twitch. “Swear.”
I relax against the seat back as Jared shuts the door and walks around to the driver’s side.
I wipe my sweaty palms on my skinny jeans and unbutton the flannel I’m wearing as an overshirt. All I’ve got on underneath is a fitted purple tank.
“I didn’t expect Montana to be so darn hot.”
“It isn’t usually this warm so late in the season. But there are days like this.” He glances briefly at my attire. “You must have dressed up for me, Ash.”
“Fuck off,” I say breezily.
He breaks into a laugh. “You know I love that color on you. It brings out the violet flecks in your eyes.”
I feel myself blushing, and I try—so hard—to pivot away from the dangerous vibe between us. “I have hazel eyes.”
“With violet flecks,” he repeats.
I relent. “Fine. With violet flecks.”
“They’re gorgeous,” he adds before starting the engine. “So. Where to?”
“Um…” I force down the butterflies threatening to take over my tummy at his casual flirting. “I figured since you found out I was moving here, you’d also have uncovered what my living situation is going to be.”
“Nope. I’m not that nosy.” He grins at me.
I smile back at him. “Ha. Sure you’re not. Just like I don’t have hazel eyes.”
“With gorgeous violet flecks,” he says in a low tone I’m not used to him using with me.
I feel my pulse pick up. “Anyway…”That was smooth, Ash… “I’m happy to hear I can surprise you with one piece of information. Maybe I can hold onto that secret a while longer?”
Jared pays at the parking gate and pulls up to the street. “You gotta tell me some time so I know whether to go left or right.”
“Fine.” I show him the address on my phone.
He stares at the screen. “Wild Ranch.”
“That’s right.”
He jerks his head in my direction. “What do you mean?”
I stick my tongue out at him. “What do you mean what do I mean? I’m staying in a cabin at Wild Ranch. Mia set it up.”
“Huh.” He turns left. “That’s very interesting.”
And now I’m on edge. “What do you mean? Why is it interesting?” I tug at his sweatshirt. “What do you know, J?”
“Nothing much. It’s just…” He turns the wheel to the left again, and we merge onto the highway.
It’s mid-afternoon, and I get a perfect view of the mountains as the truck picks up speed. The majestic peaks distract me—so much that I nearly miss what Jared says next.
“Wait.” I shift in my seat to face him. “What did you just say?”
“I said that I’m also moving to Wild Ranch. Tonight.”
