Page 28 of The Rookie

Her hand lingers for a split second too long—long enough for the warmth of her touch to sear through the fabric, long enough for me to wonder if it was really an accident.

Avery’s eyes flick up to mine, something unreadable passing through them before she snatches her hand back like she just touched a hot stove. “Wow,” she teases, covering the moment with an exaggerated eye roll. “It’s like poking a rock. Do youevertake a rest day?”

I force out a chuckle, shoving my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching for her. “Nah, gotta stay in peak shape. Never know when I’ll have to outrun one of your ex-boyfriends.”

She laughs again, but her smile falters for just a second, and her silence feels heavier than usual.

For some reason, it sticks with me.

It’s hot as Hades out here today. The kind of heat that makes you question all your life choices, like signing up for this trip in the first place.

The Mayan ruins are impressive, I’ll give them that. Massive stone structures, intricate carvings, all that ancient history stuff. But it’s hard to focus onanyof it when Avery Sinclair is marching around with that determined little furrow in her brow, scribbling furiously in her notebook like she’s about to single-handedly rewriteArchaeology for Dummies.

And she lookssodamn good doing it.

Those blue denim short shorts should be illegal. Seriously. I’m very grateful for the existence of sunglasses right now because I’m having a ridiculously hard time not staring at her perfect ass. And I’m literally over here using every shred of willpower I have not to hit on Avery, and give her space, since she’s been single not even for twenty-four hours.

Even though I already was aware Gavin was a total D-bag. Cassie was not a fan. And she’ll be happy to hear that news.

I hang back, letting the rest of the group move ahead while I watch her. She’s standing by one of the carvings, fingers lightly tracing the grooves in the stone, her expression a mix of curiosity and laser-sharp focus.

It’s unfair, really—how she makes ancient rocks look less interesting by comparison.

I don’t know why I find it so entertaining to mess with her. Or maybe I do, and I just don’t want to admit it.

“You know, you could just Google this stuff,” I call out.

She spins around, her eyes narrowing when she sees me leaning casually against a stone pillar. “Don’t you have anyone else to bother?”

“Not as fun,” I reply, pushing off the pillar and strolling toward her. “Seriously, though. Rocks? This is what does it for you?”

“They’re not just rocks,” she snaps playfully, crossing her arms. “They’re part of a civilization that lasted for centuries. They built temples, cities, entire societies—without modern technology.”

“Cool,” I say, shrugging. “Still looks like rocks to me.”

She glares at me, her lips pressed into a tight line, and I can’t help but grin.

“Whatever,” she mutters, turning back to her notebook. “Go away, Griffin.”

I let her have her peace for a while, watching as she gets completely lost in her notes. Her hair falls across her face as she writes, and she tucks it behind her ear without even thinking about it.

It’s weird how something so small can be distracting.

The group starts to move again, and I follow along, figuring she’ll catch up eventually. But after a while, I glance back and realize she hasn’t moved.

She’s still at the carving, completely absorbed, while everyone else is halfway to the next temple.

I sigh, turning back and heading toward her. “Lose something?”

She jumps, spinning around to face me. “Where’s the group?”

I nod toward the path ahead. “Already moving on. Figured I’d wait for you since you were too busy geeking out to notice.”

“I don’t need your help,” she says, brushing past me.

“Sure you don’t,” I reply, falling into step beside her anyway.

The path is uneven, the stones worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. Avery’s pace is faster than usual, like she’s trying to prove something, and I can already see where this is headed.

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