Chapter 3
Chapter Three
BELLAROSE
My fingers are starting to cramp as I cling to the branch. I’m pretty sure my dignity is lying somewhere down there next to my missing shoe. I lost it when I nearly slipped off a branch. Seriously, how do I manage to always get myself into these situations?
“You still doing okay up there?” he asks, his tone warm and calm but also confident. That makes me relax marginally. If I’m going to be rescued, I hope the person has confidence because I’m at a net zero with mine at the moment.
“Great. Fantastic, honestly. I was thinking of redecorating. Maybe a couple of bird feeders,” I say, trying to find the humor in this.
I risk a peek down, even though I’m pretty sure that’s the last thing you’re supposed to do. He’s already climbing, making it look easy, like he’s done this a hundred times.
While he climbs, I get a better look at him. He has dark hair, strong shoulders—hell, strong everything. A face that looks like it knows how to smile at life’s absurdities. Hi, it’s me, the absurdity.
He stops on a branch beneath mine, close enough that I can see his eyes. They’re a dark blue and appear kind. Not annoyed about helping me. If anything, he’s amused.
“Hi,” he says, giving me a charming smile that makes all my insides tingle, or maybe I’m just getting lightheaded and closing in on a panic attack. I’m going with the latter.
“Hi,” I chirp back and shift my weight. The branch creaks ominously. I freeze. I’m now regretting that second lunch, but I didn’t know when we would get dinner!
“Don’t worry. I’ve got you.” He shifts, positioning himself beneath me. “All you have to do is let go. I’ll do the rest.”
What did he just say? Let go?
“I don’t even know you.” Not sure why that matters. I’d probably jump into Jason Voorhees’s arms right now if he came up out of that lake.
“I’m West. That’s a start.”
I suppose it is. I look down at him. At the ground. At my own white-knuckled grip. My fingers can’t hang on much longer, so I decide to do what he says. I close my eyes and let go.
He catches me, then jumps the rest of the way. He lands gracefully on his feet while keeping a firm hold on me. He made that look way too easy.
For a moment, we’re just...close. I can smell cedar and something clean and masculine. There’s laughter in his eyes, and he’s looking at me like I hung the moon instead of getting myself stuck in a tree.
“Hi,” I breathe. He fights a smile.
“Hi,” he says again like we haven’t done this part already. He’s looking at me, but he hasn’t put me down yet. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Embarrassed. Sore. But intact.” I wiggle, and he puts me down on my feet. Then he surprises me by straightening my glasses that slipped forward. “Thank you. For the rescue. All of it.”
“Anytime.” He doesn’t step back right away. “A dog didn’t chase you up there, did it?” I snort a laugh and hit his chest playfully.
“Ope, sorry.” Did I really hit the man who saved me? West is still smiling down at me, so he must not be mad. He’s probably entertained and is planning on telling everyone this story. At least I wasn’t crying in the tree like I did in the supply closet. “Thank you, really. I was getting scared.”
“No more climbing trees,” he says, and I nod as I wrap my arms around myself.
“I think I can manage that.”
“There’s a bonfire tonight,” West says, his smile still there. “It’s down by the lake. You should come.”
I look at my dress and try to brush off a few leaves. The climb has left smudges of bark and dirt across most of it, and one of the buttons has popped loose. “I was planning to. But maybe I should change first.”
West’s gaze travels over the dress, and when he looks back at me, his expression has softened into something almost endearing. “I hope it’s not too bad because I love this dress.”
He bends down, and I realize he’s going to help me with my shoe. I brace a hand on his shoulder as he slips it onto my foot. When he straightens, he opens his hand, and my button is there.
It’s all so sweet that I have to blink a few times.
“I’m dirty,” I blurt out, suddenly frazzled. What’s happening here? Are we flirting?
“You’re perfect.”
I’m certain he’s still talking about the dress, so I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “It has pockets.”
Why is everything coming out of my mouth like I can’t contain the words? To make matters worse, I pull the pocket inside out, showing him like a dork. He reaches out, his fingers brushing the material at my hip.
“See? Fully functional. I could keep my dignity in here if I had any left.”
He chuckles, and the sound makes something flutter in my chest. “Maybe I should walk you back. I can make sure you don’t climb any more trees.”
“I think I can manage. You’re already done so much.”
“Humor me,” he offers again, and I can’t think of a reason to say no.
“Okay,” I agree, suddenly feeling shy.
We start walking through the woods, and as we do, every now and then his hand brushes mine. I try not to focus on it and look at the trees instead. The late afternoon light filters gold through the leaves, making the area beautiful.
“You’re with the retreat, right? Nibbles.” West glances over at me, and I nod.
“That I am. You?” I’m hoping so. He’s been nice, and it would be great to have a new friend.
“Yeah,” he chuckles, like I missed a joke. “You’re from the Midwest branch?”
“Yes.” I accidentally bump my shoulder into his side and pretend to ignore it. “How’d you know?”
“A few opes have slipped out of you.”
I press my hand to my mouth to smother my laugh. “Fair enough. What branch do you work at?”
“I’m from the East Coast.”
“Cool.” I nod along.
“You sure it’s cool?” he asks, and I cringe. I must have given myself away. I’m not the best at hiding what I’m thinking. My face tells a story all on its own.
“Truthfully, it sounds busy and rainy.”
“It has been known to rain there a time or two.” His teasing is light and playful.
“Shut up,” I laugh, unable to stop smiling.
I find myself not wanting this conversation to end. I’d like to keep asking him questions, to stretch the walk into forever. But almost as soon as I have the thought, I see my cabin up ahead.
“Thank you again,” I tell him when we make it to my door.
“See you at the bonfire?” His brows lift, like he’s anxiously waiting for my answer.
“I’ll be there,” I confirm, and he smiles. It’s unfair how much I already like his smile.
“Good.” He reaches out and grabs my hand, his fingers wrapping around mine. He gives them a gentle squeeze before releasing it. “Wait for me if you feel like climbing any more trees.”
“I guess I can do that.” I give him one last smile before I slip into my cabin.
I’m on cloud nine because he was so flirting with me. Right? I suck at dating, but even if he wasn’t flirting, I’ve made a friend.
Sheryl stands in front of the mirror applying lipstick with the focus of a surgeon. She’s in a dress so tight it looks painted on. How does she breathe in that? I take a few healthy breaths at the thought.
“Look what the cat dragged in.”
“Ha!” I bark a laugh, and she hits me with a sneer. Oh, that wasn’t a joke. Damn, I thought maybe her mood was better.
“Someone’s been rolling in the dirt.”
“Small incident with a tree.” I grab my bag, heading for the bathroom. “Don’t ask.”
“Wasn’t going to.”
Of course not.
I hear the cabin door close shortly after. Sheryl left without bothering to ask if I wanted her to wait or if I was even going to the bonfire. I bet she’s hoping no one told me about it.
I change quickly, pulling on jeans and a soft sweater with a pair of fuzzy boots.
I switch my ears out to a black pair so they match.
Once I’m finished, I check myself in the mirror and debate removing the ears.
Are they stupid? West seemed smitten with them and my dress.
The reminder settles my internal debate. The ears are staying.
The sky is already darkening when I leave the cabin. The bonfire is easy to see even from my cabin. It’s throwing sparks up toward the stars, and there are people in shadows around it. As I get closer, I see groups sitting on logs with blankets and drinks in their hands.
I’ve just accepted a cup of cider when I hear a familiar voice from behind me. I turn to see Liam.
“There you are.”
“Hello again,” I say, taking a sip of my drink.
He changed into a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. “I was hoping you’d make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I tell him before I take another sip and quickly scan the crowd for dark hair and kind eyes.
“Let me show you around. Introduce you to some people.”
He touches my elbow gently as he leads me forward. Is he going to introduce me to the staff, or does he know a lot of the employees? I guess he checked everyone in. I don’t know, but it seems odd. I want to be polite, so I go along. Besides, who wants to stand off to the side all alone?
I force a smile as he steers me toward the fire; meanwhile, I’m wondering where West is.
Across the flames, Sheryl has cornered someone in conversation. She’s leaning in close and touching his arm. I can’t see who, but I’m betting it’s the boss man Mr. Hayes. She didn’t waste any time. The girl is determined, I’ll give her that.
A second later she half-turns, and I get a glimpse of who she’s talking to.
I’m surprised when I see it’s West, and somehow it makes my heart sink.
I thought she was going after the owner, but clearly she’s got her sights set on him.
Sheryl is the type of woman that gets what she wants, no matter who she has to step on to do it.
“You okay?” Liam asks, pulling my attention back.
“I’m good.” I force another smile. “Great,” I say much too loudly.
“Let me introduce you to a few people. Knowing the staff has its perks.” He winks at me as he leads me toward a group of people laughing and enjoying themselves.
I can’t help one last glance across the flames.
West’s eyes find mine for just a second, and something passes between us.
I’m not sure what it is, but Sheryl touches his arm, and he looks away before I can figure it out.
I’m left wondering if I imagined the exchange.
Though now I’m wondering if I imagined everything that happened earlier too. All of it.