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“Fine.” I trudged past James, attempting to ignore his smug expression. “Where’s that?”

“Up ahead.” James gestured with his head. “You girls go on and I’ll hurry Miles along.”

“Did he just call usgirls?” I scowled as Chelle hurried to join me.

“He’s being affectionate, Erin.” She adjusted the straps of the bulging backpack on her shoulders as we walked. “Don’t be so down on him. I really like him, you know.”

“Yeah.” A twinge of guilt twisted in my tummy. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so negative... I just don’t think I’m ready for another relationship yet.”

“Yet?” Chelle snorted. “Girl, it’s been years since you and Ray broke up. Are youevergoing to be ready?”

Bristling at her judgment, I glanced out at the upcoming challenge. I wasn’t enthralled at the prospect, but perhaps it would be better than having this conversation with Chelle again.

She’d been trying to woo me into a new relationship long before she’d met James. Chelle seemed to think the root of all happiness in life was coupling up.

“Maybe, maybe not.” I sighed. “I don’t need a man to have a good life, Chelle. But I’m glad you’ve found James.”

“Hmmm.” She sounded skeptical. “If you say so, but thank you. I think I’m in love with him.”

“That’s great.” I suppressed the desire to roll my eyes.

In love with him?

Chelle hadn’t even lived with James yet. What could she know about anyone until she’d been shoehorned into a small space with them? I was willing to bet that reality would take the shine off James’s luster.

“Have you told him how you feel?” Looking her way, I hoped she hadn’t heard anything disingenuous in my tone, but her smile suggested otherwise.

I wanted to be honest with my friend, wanted to share my concerns about James’s obnoxious attitude, but trekking through the wilds of nature hardly seemed like the best moment for my full and frank confession.

I was pleased he made her happy, but his constant need to condescend and bark orders worried me. If he behaved that way in public in the early stages of their romance, what might he say or do behind closed doors after a few years? Chelle was a sensitive soul, and she merited a man who respected her gentle nature. I only hoped James could be that man.

“Not yet.” Excitement brimmed in her eyes as they met mine. “But I’m planning to.” She signaled up ahead. “Maybe when we near the summit.”

“Ladies.”

The gruff tone of an unknown male captured my attention, and glancing from Chelle, I laid eyes on its owner. Dark-haired and with piercing gray eyes, his stubble-covered chin made it look as if he hadn’t seen the inside of a bathroom for years, but there was no denying his attractiveness. Clad in weatherproof layers, his body looked large and strong, and as he folded his arms across his chest, I couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to have those limbs wrapped around me.

“Are you our guide?” I moved toward him, scanning his features a second time.

His dark stare and hard jawline piqued my interest and made me wonder if Chelle had been right all along—ithadbeen too long since I got laid.

“I am.” He cast a dismissive gaze over me. “And you are?”

“Chelle.” Pushing past me, Chelle thrust her hand in his direction. “And this is Erin.”

Thanks, Chelle. I glowered in my friend’s direction.I can introduce myself.

“It’s a pleasure.” His rising brow conveyed anything but pleasure as he grasped her palm.

“Will there be anyone else joining us?” His gaze looked past us. “I was under the impression there would be four of you today.”

“My boyfriend, James, is on his way.” Chelle sounded giddy as she communicated their relationship.

“There are four of us,” I confirmed, leaning against the bridge as I contemplated how best to manage Chelle.

We needed to have that frank conversation sooner rather than later. Much more of her gushing frivolity was not only going to make me ill, but it could very well lead her to danger. A landscape like the one we were about to encounter required her full attention, but drooling over James meant I doubted she’d invest more than fifty percent.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” The dulcet-toned guide motioned toward me.

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