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“You do your thing. Focus on the pictures you want. I’ll be here to make sure you don’t fall to your untimely death.”

“I thought you guys were a part of an adventureandrescue company. Are you saying you wouldn’t rescue me if I took a little tumble?”

“I’m saying I’d rather keep you close so I don’t have to feel that minor heart attack again like I just did when you slipped. Let me have some peace of mind, yeah? I won’t bother you or get in your way. I just want to be here close, just in case.”

My teeth sank deep into my lower lip, and I fought my wide grin as I turned back around. “Okay.”

“Plus, I’ll take every opportunity to have my hands on you.”

“And there it is.” I laughed. With a slight headshake, I raised the camera to my face. “Ready to potentially save me from myself?”

“Always, sweetheart. Always.”

* * *

“That one,”Miles said, pointing at the viewing screen, his arm brushing along mine. “That’s the one where you somehow captured the majesty of this place.”

I clicked to the next picture, which was a snapshot of a particular bird Aiden had excitedly pointed out on the hike earlier. I had no idea how the man could get any more adorable, but he constantly surprised me by upping his cuteness factor, like being an avid birdwatcher.

Going to the next picture, I tensed, knowing Miles didn’t know I had taken one of him and Aiden earlier. Aiden’s arm was draped over Miles’s wide shoulders as they hiked ahead of me. With the light shining around them, it was a beautiful picture of two best friends. You could practically feel the love and trust they had for each other in the photo itself.

Biting my lip to hide the growing smile, I turned to look over my shoulder at Miles. His attention was still on the camera when I leaned in and placed a quick kiss to his cheek before turning back around and settling back against him once more.

Did they pack me a camping chair? Yes.

Was it set up and just on the other side of the small firepit? Yes.

Was I using it? No.

Before I could sit in my seat, Miles pulled me onto his lap and wrapped an arm around my waist, preventing me from getting up. Not that I tried. No, being in his arms, relaxed against his solid chest, was way too comfortable to fight.

“This is a keeper for sure,” I murmured. “You two look happy and at peace out here.”

“Looks can be deceiving,” he whispered. “Though with you here, maybe that picture rings a little more true than before.”

“You weren’t happy?” I asked. Shifting on his lap, I angled myself to face Miles.

Lips in a tight line, he stared into the billowing smoke coming off the fire. Apparently, there was an herb that you could add to a fire so the smoke would keep the summer bugs and mosquitoes away.

“I would saysurvivingorexistingis the right word for what we were doing before you arrived in Anchor Bay.”

“And now?” I asked, voice tight with emotion as I studied his face.

He reached up and brushed a few strands of dark hair off my face that the wind had jostled free. Gazing into my soul, he held that intense stare for a few seconds before responding. “Now, I have hope for more. But…”

Cupping his strong jaw, I brushed a thumb over his beard, loving the way it felt on my skin. “But what?”

“I know it won’t last.”

“Because I’m leaving?”

He shook his head, lids falling closed as if he couldn’t bear to look at me while he said his next words. “Because when you see just how shattered I am inside and out, you’ll walk away. And I can’t risk that, can’t risk you taking those last slivers of hope I have when you leave. I’ll be beyond saving at that point.”

Tears flooded my lower lids, but I refused to let them fall. Leaning in close, I brushed my lips against his in a barely there, supportive kiss.

“I can’t promise I won’t leave, because no one knows what tomorrow will bring. But I will promise you I won’t walk away from you because of who you think you are. I might not have known you for long, but I see you, Miles Jackson. And the person you are in here”—I pressed a hand over his heart—“is someone worth fighting for.”

His lips quirked upward. “And who are you planning to fight for me?”