“Shit. Sorry, we were a little distracted.”
Nash’s smile reaches his eyes. “You two looked deep in conversation; it’s easily done.”
Talia and I advance to the hot buffet where the dining hall's friendly staff are ready to serve us.
“I would love some of that roast turkey and green beans and a double serving of mashed potatoes, please. Of course, tons of gravy.”
The woman smiles. “Coming right up.”
“Actually,” Nash interjects. “Would you mind taking your dinner to go, Trouble? It’s a nice night and we could go sit outside and eat together. If you want.”
Is this his way of asking me on a date?
Nash and I have barely exchanged a couple of words since the night we played truth or dare. It’s been something intentional on my part, after he kept insisting that he saw me at the Gamma party the night of the murder.
But I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t been thinking about Nash. About the way it felt when he kissed me. The way he took me, hot and a little rough.
Heat rises to my face under his expectant green gaze. “Sure.” I agree on a whim. I’m glad he can’t read my mind, because the more I look at him, the more it gets in the gutter.
I wait for Nash to get his food in a to go box.
“Let’s walk to the Japanese garden, Trouble. There’s a nice little spot there.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
THIRST TRAP
TARYN
Nash called me “Trouble.”
He doesn’t know how right he is. If he told the cops that he saw me at that party, I’d be in huge trouble. That’s why keeping my distance would be the right thing to do. For me and for Jodie, who put her own life on the line to help me out of a terrible situation.
And yet, I can’t stay away from him. So I follow him outside of the cantina, after waving goodbye to a perplexed Talia.
I might have to explain to her about my arrangement with Tucker and Colsen. I don’t want her to think that I’m playing games with Tucker. But that’s something that is going to have to wait until later.
The training camp area extends beyond the training center, the ice rink, and the living quarters.
There’s a wellness area with a Japanese garden and natural hot springs I’ve been meaning to explore; I just haven’t had the chance until now.
“I thought we could sit here.” Nash points to a wooden bench, like the ones you would find in a park.
Bushes with colorful flowers surround it, and what I think might be a group of cherry trees line this section of the garden.
“It’s so pretty here.” I smile, lowering myself onto the bench. “It might be my new favorite place in Star Cove.”
Nash takes a seat next to me. He isn’t so close that our bodies are touching, but close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his tall, athletic frame. “You say this because you don’t know Star Cove that much. It’s a small town, but there are so many beautiful spots. I’ll have to take you on a tour sometime. Even though Tucker probably is the best person for that, since he grew up here.”
“Maybe the three of us could go together?” The suggestion tumbles out of my mouth before I can think better of it.
It might have been the wrong thing to say, at least judging by the way Nash’s jaw ticks at my words.
“Look, I don’t know where to start.” He exhales, setting the box with his food next to him on the bench. “But I don’t like the way we left things the last time we… were together.”
I was starving when I was in line for food, but right now my stomach feels full of erratic butterflies, and if I ate anything, I’m sure I’d be sick.
“You were mad at me.” I bite out.
