Page 23 of Baby For The Billionaire Silver Fox

I peered into the brush where I’d heard the noise, listening intently.

The sounds came again, and Nicole zeroed in on the source before I did.

She hit me on the back of my arm. “It’s just two birds doing the wild thing. You scared the shit out of me.”

I laughed at her fanning her face.

“Water?”

She grabbed it out of my hand and took a long drink.

“I’m going first,” she huffed and started back on the trail.

We reached the lookout area minutes later and settled on the bench to take it all in. From our viewpoint above the lake, it was breathtaking, like a serene painting with the blue waters hugged by the surrounding landscape.

“Wow, just wow. The cardio was totally worth it. Just look at the way the sun makes the water sparkle like diamonds,” she breathed.

At that moment, I didn’t care about the lake because I was watching her. I was mesmerized by her face and how her eyes glittered, and her skin glowed in the afternoon sunlight. Her face mirrored pure joy as she looked out on the scene. I wanted to wrap her ponytail around my fist and pull her face closer to mine. I sucked in my breath and crossed my arms, reminding myself this was supposed to be a friendly hike. Just friends.

“I wish we had binoculars. I see some boats I’d like to spy on,” Nicole said.

I reached down and opened the backpack at my feet. I pulled out a small pair and handed them to her. “I always come prepared,” I said.

“How adorable. They’re travel-size. Do they stock these next to the little shampoos and deodorants at the convenience store?”

“It was an online purchase. I like keeping the weight down in the backpack.”

“Says the guy whose biceps are so big they’re stretching out his shirt,” she said, eyeing my arms.

“May I?” she asked, with her hand hovering near my upper arm.

“Should I flex first?” I snorted in amusement.

“Of course.”

So I did, and she squeezed my arm firmly.

“I declare!” She batted her eyelashes at me. “I think I might swoon!” She posed theatrically with the back of her hand over her forehead.

“Please don’t, ma’am. I’m plum out of smelling salts in this here backpack.”

“Hey, did you, by chance, pack any snacks? I need to keep my strength up for the hike back.”

I pulled out a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos left over from the park lunch.

“Did we just become best friends?” she crowed.

I snickered at theStep Brothersmovie quote.

“Aww, you already know my favorite chips. Keep this up, and you seriously might replace Lexi as my best friend,” she said, snatching the chip bag from my hand. “Do I have to share? I’ll warn you, I’m feeling a little possessive. It is a small bag, after all.”

“They’re all yours, pretty lady,” I chuckled. “And just so you know, I would never want to replace Lexi. I go to her coffee shop a lot, and I want no unpleasantness.”

I could play this game, though. She was keeping me at arms-length, but we were still spending time together. This—whatever it was—was slow, comfortable, and safe. And she would be moving on at the end of three months. Perfect, right?

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Nicole

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