He stepped down from the ledge and started back down the path. “Sorry, I have to hurry and help Jess on the previous line. I won’t be longer than a few minutes.”
“No worries,” Jay said. “We can wait.”
Tony gave an apologetic smile and then disappeared through the trees.
And just like that, I was alone with Jay.
I crossed my arms, irritation flaring in my chest. “Why did you do that?”
Jay looked over, brows lifting in what appeared to be innocence. “Do what?”
“Make Tyler go down first,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “He was trying to help me.”
His head tilted slightly, and his eyes narrowed in assessment. “You’re upset with me.”
“Yes,” I said immediately, then regretted how fast it came out. “It was rude.”
“Rude?” His brow arched, amused. “I told him I had you.”
“That’s exactly the problem!”
“Why is that a problem?”
“Because—” I struggled to come up with the right words. “Ty and I talked in the van, and he said he’d stick by me through the tour.”
“Oh, so you wanted Tyler—specifically.”
I glared at him. “He promised me he’d stay by me. That’s all.”
Jay let out a dry laugh that sounded more like a huff. “Oh, that’s all?”
“Don’t,” I said, shaking my head. “He was trying to help.”
“Sure.” Jay stepped closer, and I had to lift my chin to look up at him fully. “And I’m the one who got in the way, right?” he chuckled darkly. “Sorry, I ruined your little moment with Tyler.”
My jaw dropped. “It wasn’t a moment.”
“No?” He stepped closer, tilting his head. “You two seem to be getting pretty cozy on this outing.”
“No, we aren’t,” I said defensively, crossing my arms even though my pulse was pounding. “He was just trying to help.”
“Mmhm.” Jay’s eyes flicked over my face, searching for something. “And I wasn’t?”
“You were taking over,” I snapped.
“You’re getting pretty upset about me ruining your moment for someone who claims it wasn’t a moment.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“So you’ve said before.”
I didn’t respond. I had no good comeback, so I spun on my heel and crossed to the nearest rock at the tree line.
I sat down, refusing to look at him. I reached into my pocket, yanked out my battered little book, and opened it like it was a panic button.
I tried to read but ended up just staring at the words, too distracted by Jay’s overbearing presence only a few feet away.
“Really?” he finally asked, his voice drifting over to me. “You’re reading right now?”
