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“Thank you,” I tell him, trying to sound dignified instead of squeaky and excited. “I’d love to come over for dinner.”
Gunner nods, and I see the shadow of a smile on his face. “Good. How does seven sound?”
“Seven sounds perfect.”
Gunner reels off his address and I quickly tap it into my phone so I can’t forget.
“Well, I’ll let you get on with your errands,” I say, my hands trembling a little as I push my phone back into the pocket of my jeans. “See you tonight.”
“Yeah, see you tonight.”
I’m strangely reluctant to step away from his truck. I could happily stand here all day in Gunner’s presence, savoring theway my body reacts to him, the way my chest fills with excitement, my heart fluttering like a caged bird behind my ribs. He looks just as handsome as he did yesterday in his worn flannel shirt, his green eyes twinkling as he runs an absent-minded hand through his beard. His pickup is big, but he still seems to fill out much more than just the driver’s seat, his broad shoulders seemingly too wide for the vehicle to contain.
“Well,” I say, even though I already said my goodbyes, “Um, have a great day!”
“You too. Enjoy your Law & Order binge-watch.”
I chuckle. “I will. Bye, Gunner.”
My pulse quickens as I practically skip back to my car, my mind reeling as I think ahead to dinner tonight. I can’t wait to see Gunner’s cabin. Can’t wait to spend real time with him…get to know more about this mysterious mountain man. Maybe even find out what brought him here from San Diego three years ago. He seemed reluctant to talk about it yesterday, but maybe over dinner in a more relaxed setting when the conversation is flowing, when he’s not carrying me through the forest while I shiver in wet clothes…
But despite my excitement, something is nagging at me as I turn on the engine and start my drive back up the mountain. It swirls around in the back of my mind as I take the twists and turns through the trees before finally reaching my cabin. It’s only when I’m settled on the couch a few minutes later, the remote in my hand, that it suddenly hits me like an avalanche.
Enjoy your Law & Order binge-watch.
I think back, racking my brains, but I can’t remember ever mentioning Law & Order during our conversation. All I said was I planned to spend the day binging a season of a TV show…I never said what the show was.
But then how could he have known?
I frown to myself, shaking my head and clearing the thought.
I must have mentioned it…maybe yesterday I mentioned it…
But I’m still not convinced as I hit the play button and relax back against the couch cushions, my thoughts too full of Gunner to focus on the show.
6
Gunner
“Fucking moron,” I mutter angrily to myself.
I realized a second too late that I’d said too much. Scarlett never told me the show she’d be watching—I only knew about it from spending last night outside her cabin. It was a stupid slip-up, and as I watch Scarlett’s car drive away, I wonder if she noticed what I said.
Shit.
Could this stupid screw-up have ruined everything? I was so fucking happy when she agreed to come to dinner…if I’ve blown it all before it’s even started…
No, I can’t think like that.
I’ve messed up once; I won’t mess up again. I want everything to be perfect tonight when Scarlett comes over. Running a hand through my hair, I think about the ice cream she was eating last night and make a mental note to buy a tub to put in my freezer. Maybe I can offer her some after dinner…
That’s not too obvious, is it?I think to myself.Plenty of people have cookie dough ice cream in the freezer…
Fuck, it’s official, I really am losing my damn mind. I’m second-guessing every little thing, and ever since I watched Scarlett drive away from me, I’ve been itching to tail her back up the mountain. But I can’t. I need to buy the ingredients for ourdinner. Then maybe I’ll head back to Scarlett’s cabin again and stand guard. Keep her safe; her silent protector.
***
Once I’m finished at the grocery store, I spend the rest of the afternoon outside Scarlett’s cabin. It feels more dangerous in daylight—I’m well hidden, but she could come walking out of her front door any minute and catch me.
