Page 16 of Rewrite the Rules

“What?”

“When you started that whole story, I really thought I was going to have to pacify you because you’re my boss and all—but thatactuallyhelped. Thank you.”

“Pacify?Suchlittle faith. Men can have feelings too.”

“Hmm,” she hums, tugging again on her low ponytail that side-sweeps her shoulders.

“Are you going to go hike by yourself?”

“Nah.” Her shoulders slump. “I would but when Noa bailed so did my ride.”

“You don’t have a car?”

“Nope! I live like ten minutes from the office. I walk or take rideshares to everything. But Manitou Springs is an hour and a half from here and I’mnotpaying for that Uber there and back.”

I speak before I allow myself to think this through. “I’ll take you.” I abandon my fork and opt for a spoon to scoop up my rice.

“What?” Adler’s ocean-blues widen in surprise.

“I’ll give you a ride, and I’ll hike with you if you want.”

“You hike?”

“It’s walking outside. I don’t think I need marathon training for that.”

“Joel, when I said ‘hike’, I meant the Manitou Springs incline which is almost three thousand stairs that take you straight up about two thousand feet in elevation in under an hour. People have had heart attacks up there from the physical strain.”

Did she just say three thousand stairs? Heart attacks? Stairs have not been my friend lately. I don’t think I’ll very much enjoy a heart attack, either. But shit, she’s so cute and sweet and all I want to do is make plans to see her outside of the office again.

A hike is safe. A hike between a boss and his assistant is allowed, right? Yeah. It’s healthy and good for intra-office comradery…or at least that is exactly how I’ll justify this to anyone who asks. “I’m game. How about we call this team building?”

“Do you plan on inviting anyone else from the office?”

No.“Do you want me to?”

“It might be too late. The incline used to be open to whomever whenever. But now because of crowd control you need a reservation and I only have two slots. And they actually check the paperwork before entry. It’s nuts. It’s a world of difference from when I used to hike it with my grandma.”

“Your grandma hiked it?” No way I can back out now.

“She raced a fireman up the incline once on a bet—she won. I mean I’m pretty sure she tripped him a little at the end, but point being, she won.”

“Ha! She sounds like a badass.”

Adler’s eyes slightly glisten and she makes an excuse to take a prolonged sip from her cup. One swig is all she needs to compose herself and find that chipper smile. “Well, Joel, I appreciate the offer but I have to warn you, the reservation is for eight o’clock. Noa and I like to hike early. It’s an hour and a half drive and then at least a thirty-minute walk from parking to the trailhead. You sure you’re up for it?”

God, I hope so. “Text me your address and I’ll be at your place at six on Sunday to pick you up.”

“Seriously? This is how you want to spend your Sunday?”

“Yep. I’ll be there.”

“I won’t hold it against you if you change your mind.”

“Not changing my mind.”

“I won’t hold my breath.”

“You can.”I certainly am.

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