Page 90 of Every Thought Taken

“Why?”

What does he mean? Maybe because he hasn’t had a pet, he doesn’t understand. “Aside from the trip home, Smoky has never been outside the apartment. Being in a car might scare her.”

“Might.” He shrugs again. “Or maybe she’ll be fine.” He reaches for the back of his neck and rubs his muscles. “If you want, I’ll go to the sporting goods store outside of town. They probably have travel packs for small pets.”

My entire face scrunches to the middle, tight with confusion. “Travel packs?”

A smile kicks up the corner of his mouth. “Yeah. Another hiker I met on the road had one. Basically, it’s a clear, hard-shell backpack with holes for ventilation. A cat or small dog can sit or lie in it while you hike.”

Damn, he is determined for us to go on this trip. Not that Idon’twant to go. More like I’m scared. It’s one thing to see him here, on home turf, where I can easily walk away if things go south. But on the road, if I upset him or vice versa, we are stuck together until we resolve things or return to town.

I may have known everything about Anderson years ago, but I can’t say the same anymore. That fact twists the guilt knife embedded in my heart. The same piercing blade that took up residence months before college.

Exhaling a tired breath, I clasp my hands again and twist the double gold band. I clench my teeth then relax my jaw. Stare out the front window of the shop and let my eyes lose focus.

Now or never. Better to see if we’re fixable now rather than to drag it out.

“Okay. Fine.” I suck in a sharp breath and slowly exhale. “Tell me the days and I’ll get things squared away here.”

A victorious smile lights his expression and I stop breathing.Wow.In a blink, heat spreads from the center of my chest to the tips of my fingers and toes. My heart pounds viciously against my rib cage, begging to get closer. To get a heftier dose of his addictive smile.

The bell over the door jingles and Becca walks in with a Java and Teas Me cup in hand. “Hey, Lena.” She waves.

I lift a hand and wave back. “Afternoon. Becca, this is Anderson, my—” My what? Friend? Best friend? Former boyfriend?

Ugh.

Anderson offers his hand as Becca approaches. “Anderson.” He peeks at me from the corner of his eye. “Childhood best friend.”

She shakes his hand, and my eyes drop to their clasped hands. Cordial as it is, heat sears my veins at their contact. I have zero room to be jealous, especially over an introduction, but here I am, fuming.

“Oh. Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” She releases his hand and tucks some hair behind her ear before straightening her spine and pushing out her chest.

Damn it.

“Becca.” She blinks, then gives me her attention. “Anderson is the one I’ll be out of town with.” Marking territory or feeling green is not my style, but the way she is eyeing him, best I nip this in the bud early.

As if he senses the irritation radiating off me, Anderson inches closer to my side and laces my fingers with his. Becca’s eyes drop long enough to notice the simple gesture, her cheeks flushing as she looks up.

“Cool.” She swallows. “Was nice meeting you, Anderson.” Jabbing a thumb over her shoulder, she says, “Time to work.” She spins on her heel and walks over to the register, tapping the screen to clock in.

Anderson gives my hand a gentle squeeze and I twist to meet his stare.

“That was cute.”

My brows twitch. “What? Becca?”

The corner of his mouth lifts into a subtle half smile. He shakes his head, eyes never leaving mine. “No.”

It would hurt but not surprise me if Anderson is attracted to Becca. With long, wavy blonde hair and a figure most men drool over, it’s impossible to not find her beautiful. Without effort, she can have any guy in Lake Lavender.

Except Anderson.

“Then what?”

Lifting his free hand, the rough pads of his fingers graze the line of my jaw. He grabs a lock of my hair and holds the strands prisoner, rubbing them between his fingers.

“I like that you’re jealous.”

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