Page 28 of Hate You, Maybe
“I’d be happy to trade with her,” Tori says, sidling up between me and Dexter. “I’m sure Caroline won’t mind the switch.” Her eyes are wide with admiration. “You’re so chivalrous, not letting Sayla sleep in a chair.”
My fingers clench. “That’s kind of you, Tori, but you shouldn’t have to sleep in a coed cabin either.”
“Then we sure are in a pickle,” Bob says, and my insidestwist. I hate being an inconvenience to anyone. And as much as I want my voice heard and my needs met, I don’t want to make any more trouble than I already did with my name tag.
Besides, Mr. Wilford is going to get a performance report at the end of this retreat. So maybe this is my chance to prove I can be a better sport than Dexter.
I press a smile onto my face. “I’m sure we can work something out,” I say, my voice pitching up. “After all, we’re here to cooperate, right?”
“Well, that’s just great.” Bob whips off his hat and swipes a hand over his forehead. “Just let us know what you all decide. Either way, Hildy and I will see you folks back here for the tour.”
The two of them disappear into the office, and Dex shifts his body just enough to detach himself from Tori and face me. “I’ll do whatever makes you most comfortable,” he says. “I can share with her or with you. I’m good either way. As long as you’re not sleeping on a chair.”
“Sochivalrous,” Tori repeats.
Something stirs in my gut, and I heave my bag strap higher on my shoulder. “Thanks so much for the offer, Tori, but I don’t think a switch will be necessary. Dexter can sleep in his own bed, I’ll sleep in mine, and we’ll both just make up some ground rules to coexist in cabin thirteen for a couple of days.”
Dex’s brow lifts. “You’re saying you want to share a cabin with me now?”
“Wantis a strong word.” I keep my smile and tone extra sweet. “But a professional collaborator can accommodate glitches like this. That’s what makes me the superior coworker.”
I spin on a heel and trudge off in the direction of the cabins, ignoring the hotspots rubbing inside my new hikingboots. Meanwhile, my heart keeps up a steady throb against my breastbone. To be clear, this is only because I’m hauling luggage over rough terrain and brewing up a couple of blisters.
Notfrom the prospect of sharing sleeping quarters with Dex.
As I continue past the first cabins, my suitcase jostles over every rock and pebble. My feet hurt. And I really have to use the bathroom. Like DEFCON levels.
Dex jogs up beside me, his oversized duffel slung over his shoulder as if the bag weighs nothing.
“Let me carry your bags.”
“Why?” I grit my teeth. “So you can prove to everyone what a good guy you are?”
“No, because I only have one bag,” he says. “And for the record, I don’t really care what anyone else thinks about me.”
“Oh, sure, Mr. Chivalry.” I scoff. “I’m sorry to report your phony charm doesn’t work on—” My wheels hit a divot, and I almost drop the suitcase in the dirt. So I pause in my tracks for a moment to inhale deeply. When I exhale, a low groan escapes me.
“What’s the matter, Kroft?” He stops too, ducking his head to make eye contact. “Afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands off me tonight?”
“Ha!” I squawk. “You wish.”
A flicker of amusement dances in his eyes. “Yeah, probably.”
I level a glare at him, but I’m about to pee my pants, and this luggage is only slowing me down. So I give up.
“You win,” I say, surrendering my bags to him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He relieves me of my suitcase and hefts my bag strap across his other shoulder. “And for the record, Ipromise not to bite.” He arches a brow. “Unless you ask me to.”
“In your dreams.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “Maybe, Kroft. Maybe.”
Chapter Nine
Dex
Should I ease up on joking around with Sayla?
