I bite back a laugh. His comedic timing hits just right even when it’s unintentional—and I know it’s unintentional now because his expression is every bit as sober and unsmiling as it’s been all afternoon.
Thorn’s eyes lock with mine.
Can we talk?I mouth behind Zoe’s back.
He glances over at the rest of the group, Parker and Emma and the coffee bros, all having a picnic dinner together a bit farther away from the fire.
Where?he mouths back.
It would probably be a bit too obvious for us to sneak off right now, especially after what Matteo said in the cave:Everyone knows you’ve been hooking up with Sadie.
If they didn’t know before, they know now.
Later, I tell him.My tent?
He seems to be on the fence about the idea of alone time with me—and I get it, I do.
Just to talk, I add, even though I would do much more if given the chance.
He nods, and that’s that.
It’s a full three hours later when he finally stops by. I’m in pajamas and a hoodie.
“Knock, knock,” Thorn says quietly.
I unzip the door to my tent, let him in.
“Maybe I should turn my lamp off?” I whisper. “So it’s harder to tell we’re both in here together?”
Also because if I look at his face for a second longer—that stubbled jaw, those perfect lips—it’s going to be really, really tough to stick to the whole let’s-just-talk plan.
The touch lamp’s metal sensor is cool under my fingertips; an instant later, the world is jet-black. I know my eyes will adjust eventually, but for now it’s just Thorn and me and my oh-so-helpful imagination reminding me of all the things we could do together in the dark.
“How are you?” I ask instead.
He’s quiet for so long the silence starts to bend in on itself, thick and heavy.
I wait.
“I shouldn’t be here,” he finally says, his voice low and gravelly. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”
“We’re notdoinganything,” I reply. “We’re just talking.”
And we’re barely even doing that.
“I just—” He cuts himself off, lets out a long exhale. “Today was partly my fault. We shouldn’t have stayed out here so long after I fixed up your hand.”
It’s the last thing I expect him to say.
“Is this because of what Matteo said?” I ask, thinking back to all I overheard at the cave. “Don’t let him get into your head, Thorn. He has no right to tell you how to lead, especially after what he did.”
“That’s just it, though,” Thorn says, more urgently. “He did some stupid stuff, but he still had a point when he said I’ve been too distracted out here.”
That’s outrageous—Matteo’s in the worst position to be slinging accusations, not to mention Thorn is the most responsible, reliable human on the face of the planet. It doesn’t sit well with me at all that Matteo has caused Thorn to doubt himself like this.
“Um, have youmetyou?” I ask. “You’re the most incredible wilderness guide I’ve ever known.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” he says, “but am I not theonlywilderness guide you’ve ever known, other than Matteo?”
