Page 20 of No One Wants That (Blitzen Bay)

KIT

“So who else is coming up here? You said some friends from San Diego?”

When we arrived in Blitzen Bay, we dropped my bags off at the inn where I’m staying for the next week and then headed over to Nash’s house for lunch. Nash disappeared about fifteen minutes ago to give Elle and me time to ourselves.

Elle pours me another glass of water. “Yeah, Alex is coming in with his girlfriend, Raine. They’re the sweetest couple. You’ll love them. And Nash’s friend Mason and his wife, Millie, are coming with them.”

“How do they know each other?” I say, exhaling as I look out at the ridiculously beautiful view from the deck. Nash’s house sits right on the lake and looks out over a mountain range. It’s so quiet here that every time I speak, I feel like I’m shouting. The only other sounds are the birds chirping from the enormous pine trees that surround us.

“Nash said Millie and Mason met when she was working with his SEAL team on an assignment. And I think Raine and Millie work together, but I’m still not clear on what they do.”

“Maybe they’re in the Navy, too.”

“I don’t think so,” she says slowly. “Nash was kind of weird when he was explaining it. I think Millie and Raine work for the State Department. Whatever they do might be kind of hush-hush or something.”

“Oh! Maybe they’re spies! Do you think they’re like CIA or something? That would be so cool.”

“They’re not spies,” she says, rolling her eyes. “And Mason told Nash they might bring another friend. I think his name is Buddy—”

“Butch, babe,” Nash says as he walks back onto the deck. “His name’s Butch. I know him, too. He was on Mason’s SEAL team. We worked some missions together in Afghanistan. And speaking of them, Mason texted me. They just got here. We should head into town. Are you two ready?”

“Uh, why don’t you guys go without me? I need to stretch my legs after that flight. Nash, didn’t you say the lake trail ends up in town? I’ll walk and meet you there.”

“Your bags are back at the inn,” he says, scanning my body. “And you can’t go hiking dressed like that.”

“Like what?” I say, looking down at my sundress. “I’m walking around the lake. This is fine.”

“Even around the lake, there’s poison ivy,” he says, giving me his best disappointed-father look. “Not to mention snakes. Wear Elle’s hiking boots at least.”

“My feet won’t fit into Tinker Bell’s little boots,” I say, following them inside. “And quit being so bossy. I’m fine.”

“I thought you liked it when I was bossy. Aren’t you a fan of the alpha?”

“I’m a fan of the alpha only when I want the alpha to appear, but at all other times, men should do my bidding. Why don’t I start yelling alpha when I want you to bring out the big guns?”

“Yeah, you just let me know,” he says, letting out an exaggerated sigh.

“Why don’t I walk with you?” Elle says. “To make sure you don’t get lost.”

Nash and I burst out laughing. I shake my head as I rinse my dishes off in the sink.

“Baby,” he says, pulling her into his chest. “You get lost going from the bedroom to the bathroom.”

“I do not,” she says, throwing a kitchen towel at me as I continue laughing. “There’s only one path and it goes directly into town. How am I going to get lost?”

“If there’s only one path, then I won’t get lost either, but nice try. I want to walk by myself. I need thinking time.”

“You’re doing too much thinking,” she says, scowling. “And not enough talking to me about it.”

“If you let me have a little more time to process everything, then I’ll spill my guts to you tonight. I promise. Okay?”

She continues to scowl, but finally nods. “Fine, but you’re telling me every little detail tonight.”

“Deal,” I say. “Nash, does the lake path end up near the inn? I’ll meet you there.”

“It does, but it takes about an hour to get there. It winds through a bunch of coves. Why don’t you walk on the roads? It only takes about ten minutes that way.”

“I need more than ten minutes to myself.”

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