Page 51 of Mountain Grump
Her treadmill is empty.
I snap my head to the side just in time to see her walk out the door.
Then, two heartbeats later, I watch Clark walk out the same door.
I stand up.
Chapter 29
Tilda
I feel refreshedas I step out of the gym. And I decide it was a good idea to come over for a little walk. I’m not sweaty, but I do feel accomplished.
I reach up and touch the bill of my—Ethan’s—hat.
When he put it on me yesterday, it was a little sweaty. And that should have grossed me out. Usually, just the idea of someone else’s sweat makes me want to gag.
Except when it comes to grumpy park rangers with mismatched eyes and tattoos and muscles for days… I’m apparently unbothered.
Not simply unbothered by his sweaty hat. I liked it.
Shaking my head at myself, I exhale.
The entrance to the gym is on the side of the building, so I turn, planning to head back the way I came, down the little walkway that leads to the sidewalk.
But as I take a step, I feel something brush against my shoulder.
Chapter 30
Ethan
I’m overreacting.Clark, the married mechanic, just happens to be leaving at the same time as Tilda.
I reach the door before it closes.
He’s going to walk to his car and not say a word to her.
But he doesn’t turn toward the parking lot.
He reaches for her.
This motherfuckerreachesfor her.
He doesn’t call out.
Doesn’t introduce himself.
Doesn’t let her know he’s behind her.
He justreaches for her.
I don’t fucking think so, Clark.
I lunge forward, darting my hand out and catching the back of his shirt a moment before he makes contact with Tilda.
My fingers tighten in the fabric, and I jerk him away.
He stumbles, too surprised to even make a sound, but he keeps his feet as I force him to walk toward the parking lot. Away from Tilda.
