Page 68 of Keep Your Friends Close and Your… Work Enemy Closer?

Ranger Jim blew his whistle. "Okay, folks, you did a fantastic job with the trust fall. Well, most of you." He shot me a look. It took a lot to get on the bad side of someone like Ranger Jim, but apparently I had. "We're going to take it easy for a bit with lunch, a low-key hike, and then..."

His eyes practically popped out of his head while we all collectively held our breath.

"And then, don't forget... we have that final frozen finale!"

"Ice cream?" someone asked.

"Watching the movie?" someone else pondered out loud.

"Snow cones?"

Jim simply shook his head, lips clamped together like he was having a hard time holding it in. Knowing Ranger Jim, it couldn't be good. The man was clearly a sadist.

Seventeen

Annalise

The feeling of dread grew all afternoon. Lunch was fine. The hike was fine. Everyone actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. I'd hoped all the nature-y stuff would give me peace, make me zen, but wondering what was waiting for us at the end left me feeling not quite myself.

Or it was the fact that Jared wouldn't leave my mind.

He seemed to find every excuse to be near me throughout the hike, which bombarded my senses. But when he wasn't by my side, I didn't like that either, and I found myself straining to hear whatever he was talking about with others.

Without my realizing it, he'd somehow become Mr. Popular amongst my co-workers. I supposed people liked being around someone so positive and happy all the time. Especially Marcella.

That didn't sit right with me. She was not his type at all.

Trying not to think about that, I turned to the trees and skies, hoping to find some semblance of normalcy in this strange setting. It sort of worked. A little. But this hike seemed to be endless, and all I wanted to do was shower, eat, then sleep, preferably in that order.

Tomorrow morning couldn't come soon enough.

I caught glimpses of the lodge up ahead, which was great, except for the way Ranger Jim seemed to be moving even faster,more pep in his step than I'd ever seen, clearly excited about whatever torture he had planned for us next.

The back deck came into view, and something that looked like...

Holding a hand to my forehead in an effort to block out the sun, I squinted my eyes trying to make out the shapes. The closer we walked, the more my stomach filled with unease.

And then, there was simply no mistaking what lay before us. Four large blue bathtubs were lined up in the clearing behind the lodge. Remembering what Jim had said about a chilly ending to the day, I just knew they were full of icy cold water.

Holy shit.

Everyone else must have come to the same conclusion because there were murmurs all around me, some excited, some fearful and worried.

"Oh, no," Mona groaned beside me.

"Oh, yes," Jared said. "I love a good ice bath."

Ranger Jim clapped his hands together with way too much enthusiasm for someone about to put us through icy hell. "All righty, folks! You all have been working hard today, so I thought a little recovery was in order. Nothing like an ice bath to soothe those sore muscles and clear the mind!" His grin was as bright as the sun overhead, and I had to resist the urge to glare at him.

"Seriously?" Mona whispered, her face twisted in disbelief. "How is this fun?"

"Think of it as a bonding experience," Jim chirped. "And there's a prize for whoever lasts the longest—an all-expenses-paid weekend at a luxury spa right here in the Catskills! Just imagine, two days of pure relaxation, gourmet meals, and stunning views."

I glanced over at Jared, who was looking at me with that familiar glint in his eyes. "You in?" he asked.

"Nope. Not a chance."

"Aw, come on. It's so much fun."

---