Luna tugged on the leash, forcing her way over to me. Unable to resist the fluffy creature, I leaned down to scratch her soft, white ears.
“I can’t believe you’re out walking at this hour,” I said, immediately picturing all the creatures that could eat someone out here. Needless to say, I was still traumatized from the bear.
“Midnight walks are her favorite,” he admitted. “And mine.” He smiled, and his perfect teeth gleamed in the darkness, almost fluorescent under the glow of my new porch lights—the ones he’d installed for me.
“Why areyouout so late?”
“Uh, I went out with a few friends.” I wasn’t sure what to call them yet. Acquaintances felt wrong, so friends would have to do.
“Glad to see you settling in.”
I nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“I was actually hoping I’d run into you again,” Jay said. “I wanted to see how work is going. Are you liking it at the clinic?”
“Yes,” I said. “It’s going well, Dr. Jay. Thanks for asking.”
He winced dramatically, clutching his chest. “Ouch.”
“What?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“Dr. Jay?” He gestured toward the trees. “We’re not at the clinic. You can call me Jay.”
I shook my head. “Respectfully, I cannot call you Jay anymore.”
“And why exactly is that?” His grin widened, flashing more of those perfect teeth.
“Because,” I said, crossing my arms, “you’re my boss now. And that would be unprofessional.”
He laughed, tipping his head back and looking up at the trees.
When his eyes met mine again, they were lit with amusement. “Hope, I’ve seen you hit yourself in the facewith a hammer. I’ve seen you cry. You’ve been over to my house for dinner. I think we’re past formalities.”
“Well, that’s all in the past,” I said quickly. “You’re my employer, and I think we need to keep things strictly business.”
He shook his head, that annoying smirk tugging at his lips. “Am I allowed to ask how the new lights are working? And if the step is functioning okay? Or does that fall under unprofessional, too?”
“They’re working fine, thank you,” I said quickly. “And you really didn’t have to do that.”
“I kinda did,” he shrugged. “If you trip over that step and get mauled by a grizzly bear, that’s basically on my conscience.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not as nature-inept as you’d like to think. I’d be perfectly fine out here without you and your fancy tools.” I gestured to the LED light bathing us both.
“Oh?” He took one slow step closer, amusement sparking across his face. “You’d be fine?”
“Yes,” I said, lifting my chin. “I would’ve figured things out on my own.”
“I don’t think you’re being honest with yourself,” he murmured.
“You know, cockiness really doesn’t suit you,Dr. Jay,” I shot back—an absolute lie.
“You want so badly to be this strong, independent woman who doesn’t rely on her daddy anymore that you can’t even admit the tiniest weakness.” His voice lowered, and that maddening half-smirk appeared again. “Oh,Amapolita.You’re adorable. And impossible.”
My mouth fell open. “That isnotwhat I’m doing. I can admit my weak—wait. Did you just call me adorable?”
“No,” he said calmly. “I accused you of being impossible. The adorable part is just a fact.”
I scoffed and let out a sharp laugh that echoed through the trees. “You’re unbelievable.”
