Page 65 of Just Act Natural

His mouth twists just a touch. His lips have no right to be that full. With that mouth, if he did kiss me it would be transcendent. Unforgettable.

Focus, Lila.

“And thank you, too.” I exhale a tiny laugh to prove how unaffected I am by all of this. “I know we weren’t expecting the fake boyfriend stuff to kick in just yet.”

“Don’t thank me. It actually makes things easier for me.”

“What things?”

His genuine smile peeks out. “I found a place to take us whitewater rafting.”

TWENTY

GRANT

In the last seventy-two hours,I’ve gone on two day hikes, explored more of the national forest, and seen phenomenal views of the nearby mountains and lakes. I’ve soaked up the quiet in my cabin and gazed at stars from the comfort of my hot tub. But I haven’t looked forward to anything as much as rafting with Lila.

Seeing her like this makes the wait worth it.

She’s decked out in an athletic tee, quick-dry shorts, and sneakers, with a bright orange personal flotation device over the top. Her dark hair is pulled back into twin braids, she’s awash in eucalyptus oil again, and she’s glaring at me just a little.

“You bought this?” she says low. “You paid actual money for it?”

“They didn’t have much selection.”

We arrived at the rafting offices before she realized she’d left her hat at home. She refused to take my perfectly acceptable Longhorns hat from me, so I found something for her in the gift shop.

Let’s just say it doesn’t match her aesthetic.

“‘I pee in rivers!’” She looks past me to make sure no oneelse waiting for our trip heard her. Seems unnecessary, since two other guys are wearing the same hat.

That probably wouldn’t comfort her.

“I don’t want your scalp to get burned. Here.” I take mine off and set it on her head. I’ll assume her hesitation was more about stealing my hat than an aversion to the Longhorns. “I’ll wear this one.”

I pull the “I pee in rivers” hat low over my forehead and flash her a grin. “Good?”

She rolls her eyes, but she can’t hold in her giggles. “You’re ridiculous. You need to set that on fire as soon as the trip is over.”

“No way. This is a souvenir now.” Rhett will be jealous.

She shakes her head at my taste in clothes, but she’s still smiling so I have no problem wearing the tacky hat.

The Wildwater Rafters offices are on about an acre of wooded land. Rafts are stacked on trailers, and guests wind their way from the main building to the shuttle vans in the parking lot. Our safety presentation will start soon, and then we’ll take a thirty minute ride to where we’ll put in on the river.

“I still don’t think I’m up for this much responsibility.” She hefts the plastic oar we selected for her. “Doesn’t seem safe.”

“I wouldn’t put you on a river where you would be in danger.” They have trips that cover class IV and V rapids, but this one will barely hit class III. We could probably handle it in an inner tube—which I would never suggest.

Actually…taking a few hours to raft a slow section of the river, just the two of us? Sounds pretty good to me. I’m not sure which scenario would make her more uncomfortable, though.

She twists her mouth to the side. “We don’t definedangerthe same way.”

“Princess, the age range is four and up. You’re going to be fine.” I get a light smack on the arm for my sass. She looks a little more relaxed, though. Kids run around all over the place, and exactly none of them are taking their responsibilities with the oars seriously. She has no chance of being the weakest link on this trip.

“A rogue wave might wash me overboard.” She plays coy like she knows she’s grasping.

“I would hold onto you.”

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