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CHAPTERFORTY-FIVE
Emily
After baringmy soul at the park, I’m worn out. Dex and I hike through a few trails in silence. As if he knows I need distance from the place where I shared the worst parts of my past. But I can’t go home yet. I haven’t decided if it was a relief to share all of that with him or not.
“I think I’m getting a blister,” I say as I finish limping down a steep trail behind him.
He stops and surveys the area. “I don’t think we’re far from the bike. You want me to carry you?”
“What? No.” But after a few more steps, he crouches down in front of me.
“Arms around my neck,” he orders.
“Dex, you can’t possibly carry me that far.”
“Sure I can.” His lips curl into a cocky smirk. “I skipped the gym today. You’ll be doing me a favor.”
“What bullshit,” I grumble as I circle my arms around his neck. I’m so afraid I’m going to hurt him somehow but he’s steady as he hooks his arms under my legs and lifts. I squeal and wrap my arms around him tighter.
“That’s my girl. Hang on.”
People we pass on the trails smile at us. One of the park rangers asks if we need assistance but Dex brushes him off.
The last part of the hike includes a set of old, wide stone steps sunk into the side of a steep hill. “You can set me down now. The parking lot’s right on the other side of those trees.”
“I got you,” he insists, his grip remaining strong on my legs.
He takes each step with care, obviously trying not to jostle me too much. And damn, he’s not even out of breath by the time we reach his bike.
“That was an…adventure,” I say, strapping on my helmet.
He curls his arms, flexing for me with a silly grin until I burst out laughing. “Come on. Let’s grab lunch. I know a place.”
About an hour later, we walk into a pub near Johnsonville.
“I’ve passed this place a bunch of times,” I say to Dex. “But I’ve never eaten here.”
“A friend owns and runs the place. So, if the club’s out this way, we try to stop in and throw him some business.”
As we step in the front door, I recognize the friend he’s referring to. Remy came with Dex a few times over the summer to mow my lawn. The first time, I thought I caught him flirting with Libby and read him the riot act. Amazing he came back after that.
“You should’ve told me it was Remy,” I whisper. “I don’t think he’s my biggest fan.”
Dex chuckles. “That’s not true. You’re an attractive, unmarried woman. He’s a fan.”
Unmarried.
I curl my arms around his and press my breasts against him. “Unmarried but not available.”
He leans down and kisses me. “Definitely not.”
“Tongues to yourself!” a guy calls out.
Dex chuckles and pulls away.
Remy grins at us from behind the bar then points to a sign next to a row of liquor bottles.Tongues to yourselfis spelled out in tall white letters on a black background. “Number one rule.”
“Since when?” Dex jokes, walking quickly up to the bar and slapping Remy’s outstretched hand. “How’ve you been, brother.”
