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“I did. I do.” I quickly realize how this conversation has escalated beyond what I intended.

“Then why are you acting like this?”

“I don’t know,” I mutter, not able to meet her gaze.

“Well, stop it. I don’t need or want your opinion on my dating life.”

I clench my jaw. She sure needed it last night when I offered to be her date. I open my mouth to tell her so, but stop. This is stupid. I got all up in arms because Ariel compared my success to his. In her eyes, he’s the better guy because he wants whatshe wants–supposedly. That’s her definition of success. So be it. There’s no reason for me to say anything else.

“Sorry,” I mumble. The word feels like yanking a tooth out.

“It’s fine.” She sighs. “I’m going to eat on the balcony and then go for a hike.”

She walks outside and closes the door behind her. I make a plate, but I can’t even enjoy the sweet breakfast on account of the bitter taste in my mouth.

Chapter sixteen

Ariel Cambridge

“I hate him,” I huff as I wind my way through the forest. “Okay, I don’thatehim, but he’s driving me nuts. Why is he the way he is?”

The sound of my tennis shoes crunching on rocks and roots is the only reply. When I first bought this place, the seller showed me a private trail leading to a nearby mini waterfall. She told me that she’s never seen anyone on the trail. The first time I came out here on my own, the silence freaked me out, so I started talking to stop myself from overanalyzing every sound of nature. It also became a great opportunity for me to vent about things either too ridiculous to bother Sutton with–though she’d likely say otherwise–or things I can’t share with her. Like the fact that sometimes I want to punch her brother…and sometimes I want to kiss him.

“All I’m trying to do is help the man, and what do I get as a thank you?” I throw my hands in the air. “Criticism! Can you believe that?”

I stomp down the trail, not enjoying the scenery, instead, using every step to get out my anger.

“And another thing, what in the world was that moment in the hot tub?” I jump over a large root. “I mean, he looked like he mightkissme. Then he offered to be my fake boyfriend. Only to wake up this morning a total jerk.”

I stumble to a halt. “Brock doesn’t like me, right?” The trees sway. A laugh bursts out of me. “What a ridiculous thought. His heart is shriveled up, and what’s left of it is dedicated to his job.”

I shake my head to dislodge the thought, then carry on down the trail. My words die off as I approach the waterfall. I close my eyes and focus on the sound of water crashing. Instead of my worries melting away, though, they just pile up like sediment on a river bed. I let out a frustrated growl. Why did I bring him to my happy place? Now all of it has been tainted by his attitude.

Determined to get something good out of this trip, I walk down further. Dipping my toes in the cool water will help. It always helps. I carefully maneuver around the more jagged rocks and meander down to the base before toeing off my shoes and socks. A contented sigh pulls itself from my lips as soon as I wade in. I go up to my knees, soaking up the peaceful feeling.

After staying in the water long enough for my anger to subside, I make my way out. I lose my balance halfway there. My feet slip against the slick bottom, and I let out a cry when I fall forward. The water, though shallow, breaks my fall enough to not seriously injure me.

I push to stand, only to hiss as a stinging sensation shoots up my arm. When I finally get to my feet and out of the water, I reach for my socks and shoes. Bright red liquid splashes onto the white fabric.

I hold my arm up and try to inspect it. Sure enough, a jagged rock must have sliced into the side of my forearm. It’s not too deep, but it’s bleeding a lot. I manage to get on my shoes, though they’re now stained with blood. Then I tug off my tank top to hold to the wound, leaving me in shorts and a sports bra. I take a deep breath, then set off for the cabin. There’s no reason to call Brock. It’s not a far walk. Not to mention the fact that I don’t know if my phone will work after my accidental dip in the water, or if I even have reception out here.

The walk back is much quieter than the one away. It’s difficult not to think of the stinging in my arm. The sight of the cabin at the end of the trail is a relief. After the adrenaline of the fall and seeing the blood, it will be nice to rest.

I balance the tank top on my arm long enough to type in the door code, then walk inside. Brock looks up from his laptop when I come in.

“What happened to you?” He throws his laptop to the side and rushes toward me.

“I’m fine, it’s just a scratch,” I say.

“Just a scratch? You’re covered in blood!”

I pull away the tank top to reveal the wound. “See? It stopped bleeding once I put pressure on it. I probably don’t even need stitches. Just some alcohol and a Band-Aid.”

He rakes a hand through his hair. “We’ll see about that. Come on, I’ll help you clean up. Where’s your first aid kit? If you’re friends with Sutton, I know you have one.”

I laugh under my breath. He’s not wrong. “Under the sink in the bathroom.”

I head that way, and he follows me. Once inside, I sit on the toilet seat while he pulls out the kit.