Chapter Nine
GRAVEL CRUNCHES UNDERmy tires as I pull into the nearly abandoned parking lot. Less than half a dozen cars sit abandoned. I glance around nervously, unease rising through me. No groups of people linger around the trunk of a parked car. Even for a Tuesday morning, this parking lot is suspiciously empty. Maybe I got the location or time wrong.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I double check the calendar invite Blake sent out yesterday afternoon. Justified that I’m where I should be, I switch to my email. Next, I check the RSVP, and everyone is on the list. Everyone said they would be here. I mean, why wouldn’t you want to skip out on work for a day and go for a hike instead? Even if this wasn’t mandatory, I would have been the first person to sign up.
So if that’s the case, where are they? I know I’m a little early, but there should be at least a few cars in this lot, even if everyone carpooled.
Taking a deep breath, I tuck my phone back into my pocket. I take a single fortifying breath and push myself out of the driver’s seat. Moving around to the trunk, I pull my small hiking pack out of the trunk. It’s light, only carrying the absolute essentials. Water pouch, snacks, first aid kit, and satellite phone.
It’s late morning, and our hike shouldn’t take more than a few hours. But just in case, I’ve packed extra water and snacks. So if anyone has forgotten their own, I have backups. But this is Colorado, and everyone knows when you go hiking, you go prepared. Anything could happen at anytime.
With a quick glance at my watch, I shrug my shoulders and move towards the trail head. Maybe everyone is already there waiting for me, as unlikely as that sounds.
The gravel shifts under my feet with each step I take, and the sound soothes me. Hiking is my guilty pleasure. So when Blake suggested this as a team builder exercise, I didn’t have a single argument. Much to everyone’s surprise. It’s been difficult to hide how eagerly I’ve been looking forward to this.
Ever since Abby left town a few years ago, I’ve been solo hiking, except on the odd occasion that Riley is in town. So the prospect of one of our employees being an avid hiker has been at the back of my mind since Blake dropped his bombshell on us in yesterday’s impromptu meeting. There”s nothing quite like the anticipation of finding a new hiking buddy to keep you motivated.
My feet stall just as I reach the abandoned trail head. No voices reach my ears, but my eyes land on a single figure seated on the bench at the foot of the trail. My jaw tightens, and a sigh leaves my lips.
Blond hair ruffles in the breeze as Blake looks up from the wrinkled map in his hands. A smile vanishes from his face before it even finishes forming. The happiness in his expression melts away to the one of indifference I have become so accustomed to. His blue eyes travel unhurriedly up my body before they stop at my face. His eyes trace every inch of my exposed skin, and I want to regret my choice of clothing, but I don’t. The dark gray leggings I’m wearing are my favorite. They hug each of my subtle curves to perfection. And when I chose the blue sports bra I picked for my top, I didn’t even consider how the color matched his eyes. Or how his eyes would linger there before shifting away.
With his perusal complete, an unexpected wave of satisfaction washes over me. Even though he doesn’t like me, he can’t help but check me out. At least I’m not the only one who finds the person they hate attractive. That knowledge gives me a sense of power over Blake that I hadn’t realized I had.
Heat that has nothing to do with the afternoon temperature flushes my skin. My eyes travel down to his clothing as well. Tan shorts end right above his knees, leaving his toned legs exposed for my inspection. The light green shirt he’s wearing clings to his chest and arms, accentuating every toned muscle hiding beneath it.
“Hey.” I have to tear my eyes away from the sight. “I’m guessing we got here first.”
“Yeah,” he says with a nod of his head. His stare lingers on me for a moment longer, before he glances over my shoulder to see if anyone else is coming from the parking lot behind me. “You are the first to arrive.”
I follow his gaze, but there’s no one there.
Not a single car pulling into the lot, not a single employee making their way towards us.
A knot slowly builds in my stomach before it twists. There has to be a reasonable excuse for them to all be late. My mind creates every scenario of what could be keeping them. Everything from a flat tire to a car accident.
A chime from both of our phones pulls me out of my spiral.
In almost an identical motion, we both take our phones out of our pockets. I’d find it funny if I weren’t so stressed.
Swiping up on the screen, I read the text.
A thousand curse words flash through my mind in a matter of seconds. What were they thinking?
I tear my gaze away from my phone, only to find Blake already staring at me with a look of disbelief. He can’t believe it either. Muted anger simmers behind his turquoise eyes, mixed with equal amounts of suspicion and shock.
Just one look at him, and my anger vanishes. All traces of anger fading away as quickly as it had come. I have no more anger at this moment, and I think that surprises me more than anything else. Our employees planned this behind our backs and, for some reason, I’m not mad. They worked as a team to get it done. They kind of have a point. Even if I can’t admit it out loud.
We only break our stare when our phones ding with another incoming message.
This time I can’t help the laugh that slips from my lips. Blake stares at me for a long moment, before the anger finally fades from his eyes and his laughter joins mine. The sound rattles in my chest, and I can’t deny how good it feels to laugh with him.
“Well, it looks like it’s just you and me.” He shoves his phone back into his pocket without another word.
His statement knocks the breath out of me. Even though I knew that’s what the text meant, him saying the words only solidifies the reality. I have to spend the whole day with Blake. Just the two of us. That thought almost sends me running for my car. I have to force my feet to remain planted on the ground. I am stronger than my impulses. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.
“I guess so.” My tone sounds nonchalant, but inside I am a mess of nerves and emotions. Shifting where I stand, I’m suddenly more out of my element than I expected to be today.
All the team-building exercises I planned are now wasted. We were going to play two truths and a lie. I know everyone hates those types of games, but it can be a fun way to make everyone laugh and feel more open to having a conversation. The thought occurs to me that Blake and I could still play the game, but now the idea seems even less fun than it did before. I try not to let myself be disappointed by the turn of events. I still get to hike. So, there’s always an upside. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
The nod of his head tells me he wants to get this over with as quickly as I do. Pushing himself to his feet, he swings his pack onto his back before he steps onto the trail ahead of me. Typical man, leading the way without even offering to let me go first. If he had asked, he’d know I know this trail better than the back of my hand.
“I can’t believe them.” He says the words with the slightest shake of his head. “They’re lucky it’s difficult to replace an entire team.”
His words tilt the corner of my lips into a smile. I’m grateful he’s not looking at me when I reply, “At least they are working together.”
A single laugh slips from his lips, and for a brief second, despite myself, I enjoy the sound. It’s probably the first time he’s genuinely laughed in my presence and now he’s done it twice.
“At least there’s that.” He says it with another shake of his head.
They may have formed an alliance against us, but at least they did it as a group. And for that, they have gone up a peg in my book.
Silence falls between us as we make our way up the narrow path that leads to our destination. I let the sounds of the surrounding forest wash over me. Slowly it eases the nerves twisting in my stomach. Putting me more at ease with each step we take into the wilderness. The dirt beneath my boots grounds me, and I am at one with nature. There’s something about being in nature that not even Blake can ruin for me.
A group of birds chirp in the branches near us and I chirp back to them. A low whistle leaves my pursed lips and they flap their wings, chirping back to me in greeting.
Blake glances over his shoulder, raising one brow at me like I’ve just done something completely out of character. And maybe for him I have, because he doesn’t know me. He doesn’t know me at all.
I just shrug my shoulder and whistle at the birds when they respond to me again.
“Didn’t know you spoke to birds.” He says it like he should know this about me. But it’s really no surprise that he doesn’t.
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.” I flip my ponytail over one shoulder, and his gaze follows the movement.
This time, he doesn’t respond. His eyes travel from my face down my body again. A look I can’t quite decipher fills his gaze. I’d think it was affection, but it looks nothing like the way other men have looked at me. Affection would never be something I’d expect to find in Blake’s eyes. I wish I knew what he was thinking.
With one look, he leaves me exposed, like all of my perfectly placed walls wouldn’t stand a chance if he started breaking them down. One by one they would crumble until they laid at his feet and I would be completely bared to him. No place left to run. No place left to hide.
Once he turns to face away from me again, a pleasant silence engulfs us. I push the images of walls crumbling out of my head, and firmly remind myself that this is BLAKE EMERSON! There will be no walls crumbling or baring myself to him. Clothed or otherwise. I refuse to let his strange stare infiltrate my mind and affect me. He’s probably just trying to play mind games with me. And I have no intention of letting him win.
I find myself staring ahead, captivated by the fluidity of his steps. I can’t help but be entranced by the movement. Each swing of his legs propels him forward in long, powerful strides. Each step is a testament to his strength. My attention drops to the protruding muscles of his calves, unconsciously I lick my lips in admiration. There’s nothing more attractive than a man who knows the importance of leg day.
I force those thoughts away with a quick shake of my head. The movement catches his attention because he turns to look at me again. “All good?”
I flick my eyes to his before shifting them back to the trail. If I keep looking at him, I’m likely to lose my mind. Why does he have to be as handsome as he is annoying? “Mhm.”
Maybe this hike wasn’t such a good idea after all.
I want to scream in frustration, because no it is not all good. I’m supposed to be on a perfectly pleasant hike bonding with my new employees, but instead I am hiking with a man I despise who just happens to have the sexiest calf muscles I have ever seen. Not that I would normally look. I find myself missing Blake’s perfectly pressed suits, because even though he looks amazing in them, at least I don’t have to look at his perfectly sculpted legs.
He gives me a long, perplexing look before he turns his attention back to the trail. The path widens noticeably as the trees thin. I feel his stride slow until he matches his pace to mine. Normally I would find this action sweet, but since it’s Blake, I find nothing he does to be sweet. He’s literally incapable of it.
Clearing his throat, he finally breaks the lingering silence by speaking. “So, do you like to hike?”
My lips thin, because if this is his attempt to get to know me, it’s lacking. “Yes. I do.”
I don’t elaborate, because why does he even care?
“Oh?” His tone rises, showing his interest. “What’s your favorite hiking spot in Aspen?”
I glance at him from the corner of my eye, and he’s staring at me like this is the first time I’ve had something interesting to say in his presence.
“At least I’m trying here.”
I’m silent for a beat as I mull over his words. He is trying, isn’t he? The text from our employees runs through my mind once more. If he’s putting in effort, I can too.
“Can we stop?” I plant my feet and turn to look at him.
Skidding to a stop beside me, he slowly turns to look at me. He runs a hand through his blond hair as brows pull together in confusion. My eyes catch on the tousled mess. “Stop what? Hiking?”
I shake my head and almost laugh. Almost. Because that’s the last thing I want to do right now. I want to keep hiking but I don’t want to do it with him, not like this. “Can we call a truce?”
His brows shoot up in surprise, and his expression turns weary but not reluctant. So I add, “Just for one afternoon.”
Blue eyes stare down at me as he contemplates my offer, and I can tell there’s a small part of him that’s tempted to take it.
Planting my hands on my hips, I force a small smile onto my face. “Look, we both know we hate each other, but this is going to be a really long hike if we can’t try to enjoy each other’s company.”
His eyes skirt down my body, and my cheeks instantly flush. A cocky smirk spreads across his lips as he meets my gaze. “I can think of plenty of ways we could enjoy each other’s company, and hiking isn’t one of them.”
My eyes widen in shock, and I stare at him with my mouth open. I can’t believe he just said that, even as something deep within me stirs at his words. Something I haven’t felt in a long time.
His smile deepens, changing into one that’s more genuine. “Never thought I’d see you at a loss for words, Sunflower.”
Shaking my head, I force my eyes away. I don’t want him to see the blush on my cheeks or the way his words have inadvertently affected me. Pressing us forward, I turn back to the trail. “Get your mind out of the gutter, playboy.”
The smile slips from his face, and I realize a second too late that I’ve said the wrong thing. The blue of his irises darken as his mood shifts. I want to back pedal. I’m the one that suggested this truce, and I’m already ruining it.
“I really didn’t mean that.” My stare softens. In his defense, he has done nothing since I’ve started working with him to deserve the title.
“Yes, you did. But I don’t care.”
I tilt my head to the side as I give him a long, evaluating look. In our world, image is everything. Everyone cares how they are perceived, even me. I can’t stop the disbelief that’s evident in my voice. “You don’t care?”
One shoulder lifts in a shrug, but he nods. “I have no control over how others see me. I only have control over how I see myself. So I don’t care what you call me, because I know the truth. And that’s all that matters.”
My feet stop at his profound statement. Words I never thought I’d say leave my mouth. “Blake, I’m sorry.”
He’s a few steps ahead of me now, but he stops and turns back to look at me. “Don’t worry about it. Everyone thinks that.”
“Just because everyone is doing the same thing, that doesn’t make it right.”
Neither of us moves. He looks at me for a long moment, like he’s trying to read on my face whether I actually believe the words I’m telling him.
“I wish I didn’t care what other people think of me.”
A tender smile curves the corner of his lips. “Sunflower, if you let others cloud how you see yourself, you’ll never be able to truly shine.”
My heart skips a beat. I can’t think of a single time someone has said something so beautiful. And hearing it come from his mouth in his deep voice does something to me I can’t explain. Something that I don’t dare think about. Nothing good could come from it. Yesterday’s tension still lingers unspoken between us. I can feel it even now.
“Come on, let’s get going or we’ll be on the mountain all day.” He waves his hand, urging us forward.
I force my reluctant feet to follow his lead as my mind swims. This is a side of Blake I’ve never seen before. One that I never could have guessed existed. But here he is, standing before me. If Big Foot came out of the trees and walked across the path in front of us, I’d be less surprised.
Today has been so full of surprises that anything could reasonably happen at this point. Big Foot feels more believable to me than Blake having a sensitive side. He’s more believable than the tugs of emotion Blake is making me feel.
A gentle pang pulls at my heart from deep within me. I desperately want to ignore it. I don’t want to feel anything for the man walking beside me. And I won’t as long as I have a say in the matter.
We walk in silence for a while before he asks. “So, how does this truce work, anyway?”
“How would you like it to work?” It was my idea. I don’t want to figure out how it works too.
“Well, I’d like to stop being at each other’s throats for one.”
A sigh passes my lips, because as much as I dislike him, I also agree with him. As much as I enjoy our banter, the constant back and forth is becoming too much. Even for me. “It’s exhausting. Isn’t it?”
Out of my peripheral vision, I see him nod his head in agreement, but he says nothing.
“I’d like that too.” It’s weird being so open and honest with him, but it’s surprisingly refreshing.
He turns, his eyes watching my every move, evaluating me. It’s odd to be the one on the receiving end of such an assessing stare. Normally, I’m the one dissecting people before putting them back together in my mind.
“So, the truce is just for today?”
It’s like he’s reading my mind. “Yeah, just for today.”
He keeps his pace perfectly in time beside mine. “So, just for today, you aren’t my co-director.”
I nod my head, a hint of a smile turning up the corner of my lips. “Just for today, you aren’t my best friend’s ex or my mortal enemy.”
A smirk erupts across his face. “Mortal enemy, huh?”
He couldn’t look more pleased with himself if he tried.
“Mhm.” I don’t give him the satisfaction of explaining.
“Come on now, Sunflower. You can’t just leave me hanging. Best friend’s ex, I get. But I’m your mortal enemy? I didn’t know you thought so highly of me.”
His words linger between us, and I can’t deny that a part of me wants to tell him. It’s like a dam inside of me. If I let just a little of my hate and anger go, it threatens to break apart, releasing a wave of destruction in its path.
Fixating my gaze on the tree line ahead of us, I keep my lips firmly pressed together.
His eyes trace my face, assessing my silence. “You can tell me. We are friends, after all.”
My eyes widen in surprise, a scoff bursts from my lips. “Us? Friends?”
He shrugs like it’s the most natural thing in the world for us to be friends.
“How could we possibly be friends?”
His laughter rumbles through me. “Well, if we aren’t co-directors, and I’m not your best friend’s ex or mortal enemies. Where does that leave us? Two strangers walking alone in the forest?”
A burst of laughter escapes me, because that has to be the oddest sentence I’ve ever heard him say. “Maybe you’re just a creep following me.”
His smile turns into a grin, giving me a glimpse of his perfect white teeth. If it wasn’t Blake, this back and forth between us would count as flirting. “Maybe I don’t want to be a creep.”
A crack forms in the wall inside my chest as I stare into the depths of his turquoise eyes. I can’t help but smile back at him. I’ll let him win, just this once. “Friends.”
I extend one hand to him. Our truce begins now.
He takes my hand in his. Electricity like I’ve never felt before burns across my skin in waves. It’s like that first day in my office all over again. We shake once before we both pull away. I can’t help but watch as his hand returns to his side and his fingers flex.
Did he feel that too?
We continue down the trail, and I try my best to push how his touch felt out of my mind. But I’m losing an uphill battle. “You still might be a creep, though. Juries still out on that.”
His laughter booms through the trees and lodges itself some place deep within my chest. “I can handle that.”