Gideon tapped the hood of security’s SUV and straightened. “Thanks again for keeping an eye on the place and her. I’m planning to hang around too.”
“I’m here if you need me,” the man said.
Gideon let his gaze roam the area before he turned to head back toward Maya’s cabin.
“Hey, Gideon, right?”
Ben approached on the walkway from the back, and Gideon waited, his guard going up because the man just rubbed him the wrong way. “Yes. Help you?”
Ben shoved his gloved hands in his coat pockets and tilted his head. “I’m glad I ran into you.”
Gideon remained quiet.
“Right, so anyway,” Ben said, “you might have noticed that I was interested in Maya.”
“I noticed.”
“But she’s not one bit interested in me.” A small smile curved the man’s lips, and Gideon relaxed a fraction.
“I don’t know anything about that,” Gideon said, then decided not to play. “Okay, you’re right. She’s not.”
Ben’s eyes widened, then he laughed. A true chuckle full of good humor. “I can take a hint,” he finally said, “but now I won’t have to. Thanks for being blunt.”
Gideon’s neck went hot. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I need to find my filters before I speak. I really didn’t mean to be rude.”
“It’s fine. For real.” Ben’s eyes clouded slightly. “I’m not sure I’m ready to start dating again anyway. I think I was looking for more of a distraction than an actual romance—and she’s an interesting woman.” He waved a hand. “But you don’t care about that.” He shrugged. “Can you just let her know that I won’t bother her anymore?”
Okay, now his conscience kicked in. “She never considered you a bother.”
“Maybe not, but I have a feeling she’s also too polite to say so.” He smiled, and Gideon decided he could like the guy now that he wasn’t going to be chasing after Maya.
“She might be, but honestly, she’s been dealing with other stuff, so I don’t think you should take it too personally.”
“I don’t. And she might be dealing with other stuff, but she also only has eyes for you, so it’s all good.”
The flush attacked Gideon’s neck again. “Dude...”
“I’m just saying.”
“Well, two can play that game. Seems Lila might have a thing for you.”
Ben raised a brow, but a knowing glint sparked in his gaze. “She’s a lovely woman.”
“She is.”
“All right, I’ll stay out of your love life if you stay out of mine.”
Gideon laughed. “Deal.”
The man continued his trek down toward the lodge, and Gideon shook his head. In another time and place, he and Ben might become friends. But for now, he itched to get back to watching over Maya.
He walked up the steps to the front door and knocked. “Hey, it’s me.”
Nothing.
He tried again. “Maya? Can you open the door?”
Still nothing.
