Page 20 of Twins for the Secret Prince
“I only have one spoon, so we’ll have to take turns eating,” she said.
“You go first,” Pete said. “It’s your food. I’ll just stand here salivating.”
“Gross,” Eva said, taking a mouthful of chili. She ate half of the food, then passed it to him. “Go on, you can finish it.”
Pete didn’t argue. He wolfed down the rest of the chili, then held the bowl out to Eva and said, “I don’t suppose you have another pouch in your bag? That was truly delicious.”
“Idohave another meal,” Eva said. “But I think we should save it, just in case we’re still here tomorrow.”
“Will this storm let up soon, do you think?”
“This will clear,” Eva said, craning her head to look up at the sky. “We’ll get back to camp.”
“Of course we will,” he said. They stood watching the storm for a couple of minutes under the cover of the rocky overhang, and then he asked, “I don’t suppose you have an energy bar in your bag, do you?”
“Even better,” Eva said, retrieving her bag. “I have chocolate.” She pulled out a foil-wrapped bar of dark chocolate with a mint center. “Pure fructose and sucrose. A little bite of this, and we’ll feel like we’ve had a bottle of champagne.”
“I knew I liked you the moment I met you,” Pete said, taking a bite of the chocolate bar.
As the sugar hit her bloodstream, Eva’s energy returned and she found herself staring at him, mouth hanging open. “You acted like I wasn’t even worthy of being taken seriously as your rival for promotion! Your complete lack of respect was insulting.”
Pete stared at her like he was shocked by her words. “Really? That’s how I came across to you? I know I don’t always make the best first impression, but that’s really bad.”
“Well, how do you think you come across when you say things like you’re looking forward to the challenge of going after the same job I have my eye on?”
“I did say that, didn’t I?” He looked pained. “I’m a highly competitive jerk, Eva. What can I say?”
“There’s nothing you can say to make it better. I’ve lived my whole life meeting men like you, who coast along on their privilege. They expect everything to be handed to them on a plate because it always has been. It never occurs to them — toyou— that women have to fight tooth and nail just to even beseen, never mind taken seriously.”
“You’re right,” he said. “I have no idea what life is like for you. All I can say is that I am aware of my privilege, and I’m trying to address that in my own life.”
“Is that so? What, by practically sneering at a woman when you’re told she’s going for the same promotion as you? Way to be self-aware, Pete.”
“If it seemed like I was sneering at you, Eva, I apologize. I honestly didn’t mean to. Put it down to bravado, I guess.”
“Sure, male bravado, the perfect excuse for any bad behavior. It must be nice to be able to play that card whenever you need it.”
“Eva, I’m sorry. Please accept my apology. I’m sorry I offended you and came across as such a jerk. I want to try to make it up to you.”
Eva threw her arms up in frustration. “Excellent! Why don’t you start by listening to the person who tells you she’s had experience of wilderness survival? Oh wait, too late for that!”
“I really am very grateful that you saved me today. I owe you, Eva. If you hadn’t pulled me out of the river, I’d have been alligator bait.”
“Alligator bait? Are you serious? Do you have any clue where you are?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Eva saw the corners of his mouth pull up at the edges.
“Giant salmon bait?”
Eva’s rage abated, and she found herself shaking her head. “Seriously, have you never been on a camping trip before?”
“Of course I have. Give me another bite of that chocolate and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Take two bites if it means you’ll be entertaining me with talk of alligators and giant salmon.”
His mouth still full of chocolate, Pete asked, “Did you ever cook a banana with a square of dark chocolate in some foil on the campfire?”
“Yes, I loved that!” Eva enthused. “I thought it was just our family who did it!”
“No, we did it too. Those little bites of heaven.” They both sighed and then laughed.
