Wait, what?
“But what do you do for fun? How do you unwind?”
Judging by her eyes, my question has surprised her. “On the daily? Cardio works. And I have my dog, Mica. Playing with him is great therapy.”
“Therapy’s good.” The words come out slowly because I’m weighing my next ones. “But therapy’s not what you do for fun.”
She blinks up at me, again as if she’s reconsidering something. “Well, I love the outdoors, and my favorite hobby is hiking, but I don’t have tons of time for that.”
Now I’m the one who’s surprised. I’ve hiked a little of the Canary Islands in Spain and Lysefjord in Norway. I haven’t done too much stateside but enough to know what it takes out of you, and I wouldn’t have pegged Iris Adams as the outdoorsy type.
Another way I’ve misjudged her.
“Where was the last place you hiked?”
Grinning, Iris tilts her head in the direction of her friends. “Sally and I did two weeks on the AT earlier this month.”
I’m not surprised. I’m stunned.“Two weeks?You did two weeks on the Appalachian Trail?”
That’s not simply hiking. That’s a way of life.
I picture her with a backpack and hiking boots, her hair in braids and a bandana tied around her neck. It’s not an image I can easily reconcile with the GIFS I’ve seen of herHexedcharacter. Not at all.
But it’s one I like.
In fact, I’d fucking love to see her like that.
She smiles, her eyes lighting up. “Yeah, I’d love to go longer. We covered a hundred and fifty miles this time, but I’d love to be able to spend all summer at it.”
A hundred and fifty miles?I was totally wrong about her. Iris Adams is no princess. She’s a beast.
“You’re hard core.”
One dark brow arches gracefully. “You sound surprised.”
“Hmm.” I work my jaw, choosing my words carefully. “Maybe I’m realizing you’re full of surprises.”
The brow climbs higher, but her smile ignites.“Maybe?”
I like the way she’s watching me. My smile answers hers. “I’m definitely impressed.”
She purses her lips together, seeming to mull over my answer. Then she gives a decisive nod. “Impressed is good.”
I chuckle. “I’m glad you approve.” I move her through another turn, grateful for how easy and relaxed she is now. “You’re really getting the hang of this.”
She shrugs. “Maybe I have a good teacher.”
I hiss through my teeth, mock censure in my gaze. “Oh, Miss Adams, flattery will get you nowhere.”
She gives me a pretend pout. “Not even directions to a good place to hike this weekend?”
I drop my jesting. “Yeah. A few places. How far do y’all want to drive?”
“Oh,” she murmurs, her face falling. “It’s just me, so not far at all. More like, somewhere I could go in an Uber.”
“AnUber?!”I nearly choke. Then I remember. She doesn’t drive. I frown. “Why can’t Ramon—”
She interrupts me with a whisper. “He’s off this weekend.” And the way she colors when she says it ensures that I won’t ask any follow-up questions. Because Sally could probably drive her even if her PA is off-duty. Unless Sally won’t be around either.
