Page 19 of Unlucky in Love
Ryan watched Taylor’s cheeks flush pink, her lips twitching between annoyance and reluctant amusement. Something about the way she tried to shrink into herself made his jaw tighten again. He hated how easily she brushed off attention, as though she wasn’t worth being fussed over.
“Do you have another note?” Emma pressed, leaning forward. “Come on, show us. You brought it, didn’t you?”
Taylor hesitated, then reached into her bag at her feet. She pulled out a folded piece of paper, cheeks pinker than ever. “Fine. But only because you won’t shut up until I do.”
Emma snatched it the second it touched the table and read aloud in a dramatic voice.
“To see the world as you dream it, you must first stand where the sky feels close. Follow the path you’ve walked since childhood to your favorite lookout point. The next clue waits where the horizon touches the trees.”
“Ooooh,” Emma said, waving the paper like a flag. “Romantic. Very romantic.”
Taylor rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her mouth. “I don’t know what I’ll find there, but this has definitely been fun.”
Ryan blurted out the words before he could think it through. “You’re not going up there alone.”
The table went still.
Taylor blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Ryan set his fork down, leaning forward. “If some guy is luring you to an isolated spot in the mountains, I’m going with you.”
Emma snorted. “Ryan, it’s not a crime scene. It’s a crush.”
“Or a creep,” Ryan shot back. “Do you know how easy it is for predators to hide behind cute notes? All he has to do is get her somewhere out of the way—”
Their mother swatted his arm with her napkin. “Ryan Carter, stop scaring her. Taylor is not being hunted by a serial killer.”
Their father chuckled. “He’s got a point though. The woods can be dangerous.”
“Not helping,” Taylor muttered.
Emma shook her head. “Ryan, you’re overreacting. This is sweet. Whoever this is clearly knows her well. Nobody’s dragging her into the woods with candy hearts. Besides, what if the guy is hiding somewhere to see her reaction, and he sees her show up with you? Not cool.”
Ryan crossed his arms, unamused. “You want her going up there by herself at night?”
“She’s not helpless,” Emma argued.
“I never said she was helpless,” Ryan shot back. His voice was calm but firm. “I said I’m not letting her walk into a secluded area alone because some guy thinks cryptic notes are charming. Either I go with her, or she doesn’t go.”
The whole table erupted at once.
“You’re ridiculous,” Emma said, laughing.
“Bossy as ever,” their mother added, rolling her eyes.
Taylor threw up her hands. “I’ve been walking around this town alone for years. I think I can handle a hiking trail.”
“Not at night you can’t,” Ryan said.
“Then I won’t go at night.”
“Serial killers strike during the day too.” He set his chin stubbornly.
“Listen to yourself,” Emma said between laughs. “This isn’t a mission. It’s a mountain with a bench.”
Ryan didn’t flinch. “And benches are where creeps wait.”
Taylor stared at him, half exasperated, half amused. “You really think my admirer is some kind of criminal mastermind?”
