Page 32 of Wild in the Woods
“Okay, I referenced the list on your website but the guy at the outfitter said I should add a few things for a more enjoyable, comfortable—”
“Camping experience. That’s what he tells everyone who looks like they don’t know what they’re doing. Keep the tags on all this crap and you can return it.”
Hunkering down, he fished a compass out of the pile and a tube of waterproof matches. “You can keep these. And this.” He grabbed a packet of fishing hooks. “The rest of this crap stays here.”
Her heart fluttered. She didn’t realize how close he was until she whipped him a look and they ended up nearly nose-to-nose. Sucking in a breath, it took a second for her brain to get it together.
“But what about the camping mat? And the, um, the bug spray. Oh, I really need the battery powered lantern and the compostable wipes.”
“You’ll sleep on the ground like everyone else who takes my courses. Mud is an acceptable skin protectant, and compostable wipes are terrible for the environment.”
She blinked. “What about the rain poncho?”
He held up the triangular pink package and tossed it over his shoulder. “Bullshit.”
Lulu reached for her cosmetics pouch at the same time he did. Fox was quicker. He watched her as he opened it, a cocky grin displaying he already knew what it was. Dumping it upside down, he shook his head and began throwing her mascara, pressed powder, brow pencil, and lip gloss over his shoulder one by one. They landed randomly all over his living room. Osprey darted after them, retrieving them all and making a haphazard pile by Fox’s leg. Then she barked, waiting for him to do it again.
Lulu gestured weakly to her beautiful golden lipstick case which now had teeth imprints in it. “That’s Jimmy Choo Gold Choo satin lipstick. It costs sixty-five dollars.”
Fox grabbed the lipstick and thrust it into her hand. “Sixty-five dollars. What’s wrong with you?”
“I got it in a sponsorship when it first came out. My viewers loved it. I thought I left it in my suitcase.”
Her shoulders slumped. This was silly. It was just lipstick. Fox’s expression softened.
“I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have said that. I’m a guy so the value of face paint isn’t as high to me. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love it.”
What the fuck? There he went again, being awesome.
“Thanks.”
“Put all this stuff back in your backpack. Make up isn’t on the list.”
She frowned. “It clearly says that all medications and necessary female personal items are okay.”
“Right,necessaryis the key word. Not this.”
Crossing her arms, she cocked her head and grinned. “Tampons?”
His cheeks colored. “Right.”
They had a short stare off and his discomfort grew, which pleased her enormously. Reaching for another small pouch, she opened it. “Well, I don’t need those at the moment, but I do require necessary emergency chocolate. This is coming with me.”
She produced two chocolate bars to show him, more than willing to give him one, but the annoyed look on his face made her protective instincts kick in. She shoved them back in the pouch before he could grab them.
“Safety hazard. The more food we bring with, the more of a chance we have of attracting bears. They love the sugary stuff. Why do you think we eat donuts the morning before we leave? Can’t take them with.”
Her forehead scrunched. “You’re a bear. Doesn’t that sort of cancel out the risk?”
“Not unless I shift and fight off every bruin that raids our camp in search of your emergency chocolate. It stays here.”
“But they’re specialty chocolate. Free from the eight most common allergens, like milk, gluten—"
“I’m sure the lactose intolerant bears will be extra grateful while they’re ripping you to shreds to get at the candy.”
“Fine.”
Fox got up and gestured her back to the kitchen table. “Bring your approved items.”
