Page 17 of Wild Tangled Hearts

The stars twinkle in the evening sky, and Damien starts packing the picnic items and returning them to the bike.

As I stand up and stretch, I notice that his cell has slipped and fallen onto the grass. I plan to give it to him, but my curiosity is piqued by a flurry of new messages.

Don’t read people’s private conversations, my head warns.

But I can’t look away.

Stacey: Call me ASAP!!!

Lexi: Bring ice cream. Please.

Stacey: Stop ignoring me.

Lexi: And Chips.

But the last text catches me off guard, and my throat tightens with an unsettling feeling.

Lexi: Love you so much, Dami.

What the hell?My mind races as I try to process this unexpected revelation.

“Have you seen my phone?” Damien asks, and when I turn, he’s walking toward me.

“Uh, yeah,” I stammer, still trying to wrap my head around the texts. “It was on the ground. Here.”

“Thanks,” he says, putting it back in his pocket without glancing at the messages. He grins at me and reaches out to touch my face.

I can’t help but flinch, confusion and unease swirling inside me. Who are Stacey and Lexi, and why is the one telling him she loves him? Maybe my first suspicions were correct. Perhaps he’s just really good at playing the game.

“You okay?” Damien asks, brows drawing down.

“Yeah.” I force a smile and rub my arms. “Just a bit cold.”

“I’ll drive you home now,” he offers. “I’m running a bit late, anyway.”

Running late to bring ice cream and chips to Lexi or going to see Stacey?

But I don’t question him about what he’s running late for or who he might be running to. Deep down, I know that seeking the truth may lead to answers I don’t want to hear. It’s been a fun two dates, but maybe two is my limit when it comes to mysterious bad boys.

Reader’s Choice:

What should Bella do next?

TrustDamienis into her, and confront him about the texts on their next date. Turn to this page.

Worry about the texts and go out for coffee with afriendto talk about it. Turn to this page.

End things with Damien and callAlex,the rugged outdoorsman with dimples and a heart of gold, and accept a date with him. Turn to this page. If you’ve already had a first date with him, you can have asecond dateby Turning to this page.

Chapter7

Alex

SPARKS BY THE CAMPFIRE

“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” I tell my mom as I try on the old hiking boots she’s pulled out of storage. After multiple flirty and super cute texts from Alex, I accepted his challenge to go on one of his overnight hiking adventures. But at the moment, I’m regretting the decision.

“You’ve always loved the outdoors,” Mom says. “You’ll have fun. And it’s good for you to step out of your comfort zone. I’m glad you’re taking some risks.”

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