“Good.” The word came out firm, satisfied. “It seemed to hold some good memories. Being there might help you sort through the rest.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“I’ll take you back to the resort and help you move your things.” He said it like it was already decided, like the most natural next step in the world.
The offer was too easy to accept.
And that was the problem.
I couldn’t keep relying on him to bail me out of trouble, even with something so simple. I wasn’t helpless. I was complicated. And some of those complications weren’t pretty.
He deserved better than a half-formed version of me.
He deserved the truth.
Just not here. Not with strangers all around us and no space to breathe. Not with half the restaurant stealing glances at him every few minutes. I needed somewhere I could speak freely, where Eric could react however he wanted, and I could run if needed.
“I’d like to go somewhere else first.” I met his gaze, pulse ticking faster. “If that’s okay.”
He leaned back in his chair, studying me with that intense focus that made me feel like prey. “Yeah. Of course. Where to?”
“Let’s go for a walk.”
Chapter Eleven
Jamie
“This isn’t what I expected.” Eric’s voice carried easily through the pine-scented air as needles softened our steps and trees closed in around us.
I knew it wasn’t. This wasn’t a waterfront walkway or public beach where everyone else went—locals and tourists drawn to the Bay the second spring arrived. Those places were crowded. Families with strollers. Couples pretending not to watch each other. Runners, dogs, cameras, noise. The whole town spilling out to be seen.
Not ideal when I was trying to avoid public scrutiny. The secrets I needed to share were better said in private.
Mills Conservation Area wasn’t empty, but it was big enough to feel secluded. Trails cut through rock and trees, winding along the river and climbing the natural rise of the Niagara Escarpment until they reached the lookout perched above the valley.
His arm brushed mine, warm and solid, and I forced myself to focus on the view instead of the contact. “Not a nature guy?”
“It’s great. Just not what I grew up with. I’ve spent most of my life in the city.”
“Toronto?”
“Montreal. Born and raised.” He stepped over a root without breaking stride. “After university, I moved to Manhattan to work for my uncle. I’ve only been in Copper Ridge about five months. My parents and Caleb moved here four years ago. My sister’s in Toronto, though.”
“That’s where I live. But being back here feels…good. I missed all this green.”
I drew in a deep breath, clean air filling my lungs in a way the city never quite managed. “If you think this part’s impressive, wait until you see what’s next.”
We crested the rise as I said it. The trees thinned, then fell away entirely, and the lookout spread open beneath the sky. Golden evening light poured across the rise like it had been waiting for us.
Eric stopped behind me, close but not touching. For a moment, the world narrowed to wind in the trees and the steady sound of his breathing at my back.
The view tugged at something deep in my chest, memories flooding me all at once. I was eight again. Then fifteen. Standing here and pretending the valley below was a kingdom and I was something untouchable.
Princess.
Like a whisper from the past, Dylan’s annoying nickname echoed through my mind, making my skin crawl.
What would’ve happened if Eric hadn’t been there yesterday? If I’d been alone with Dylan?
