Page 31 of Unleashed

“I can get it,” he offered.

I shook my head. “The last thing you need is to go out in the rain. If you’re getting a cold, it’s not worth making it worse.”

His eyes gleamed with something I couldn’t quite place. “Is that care I hear in your voice?”

I groaned. “You’re an idiot. Of course, I care for you.”

His smile faltered slightly. “But you don’t want anything with me.”

“Let’s not rehash this,” I said, my voice suddenly tired.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered. There was a beat of silence before he spoke again. “It’s just…”

“Just what?”

He ran a hand through his damp hair. “I thought this trip would bring us closer.”

My heart stuttered. “Is that why you found me?”

“Yes,” he admitted softly. “I want to be part of your life. Is that so hard to believe?”

I felt something in my chest constrict. “Slade, I like you, but… we’re just so different.”

He sat down beside me, his presence warm and solid. “How are we different? Because I grew up with money and you didn’t? That’s got nothing to do with who we are now. We both work hard, and we’re good at it.”

My stomach twisted. “Is that how you see my exit from Abbott? Successful?”

His brow furrowed, but his voice was gentle. “If I’d been running the company, you would’ve been promoted.”

“And that would’ve been favoritism,” I countered, my voice edged with frustration.

“How?” he asked, voice rising slightly. “Because I’m in love with you? No one knows that except you. I’ve never told anyone else how I feel.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at him, my throat tight. Finally, I reached out, placing my hand gently on his scruffy cheek. “You’re a sweet man, Slade.”

He closed his eyes and covered my hand with his. “I wish you were sweet on me.”

My heart ached. I pulled my hand away, trying to push back the tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “Let’s just get to know each other on this trip, okay?”

“Deal.” His voice was resigned, but there was a flicker of hope in his eyes. “Want to flip a coin for who goes to get dinner?”

I chuckled softly. “I’ll go. My luck with coins is terrible—I’d lose anyway.”

Slade grinned. “Fine by me. I’ll take a Mega burger with fries and a chocolate shake.”

I rolled my eyes, dragging myself off the bed. “Anything else, your highness?”

“Nope. That should do it,” he said with a wink.

As I pulled on my rain gear, I couldn’t help but feel the tension simmering between us—unspoken, unresolved, and undeniable.

The air was thick with humidity, but the rain didn’t feel so cold anymore now that my skin had warmed up. I hurried along the sidewalk, splashing through puddles that soaked my feet, but I didn’t mind. I could dry off once I got back to the room.

When I entered the diner, it was buzzing with life. The two groups of hikers who’d come in after us were already there, hunched over their meals, with their packs lined up against the far wall. In the corner, a few grizzled old men sat playing cards, their mugs of beer dripping with condensation, while a group of teenagers in a red vinyl booth tossed fries at each other. Nick, the owner, scowled as he barked at them to cut it out.

Nick was as tall as Sally was short. His black hair, always cut in a neat brush, made his piercing blue eyes stand out. No matter the season, his skin carried a permanent tan. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up, and he stepped from behind the counter to pull me into a warm hug.

"Damn, girl, how long’s it been? You get prettier every time I see you," Nick said, his voice warm with genuine affection.

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