Page 21 of Mr. Red

“I needed a place to stay.”

“You could just rent.”

“I could, but that would be a waste.”

He doesn’t elaborate. That’s fine, I don’t need to know all the details of my clients’ lives. It’s better I don’t. Especially because he’s leaving soon. No reason to know a thing or get involved with someone who won’t be able to commit.

We stay quiet and continue the hike. I stop at a stream, watching how fast water runs through some rocks. Birds chirp, the damp air fills my nostrils, the sun shines through the trees.

I vaguely hear his footsteps come to a stop. My head lifts after a few minutes. He’s standing in front of me, watching me.

“It’s so pretty out here. I sort of get lost.” I don’t know why I’m defending myself.He’sthe one interruptingmyhike.

“I can see that.” He has that stupid grin on his face that’s infuriating me. Mostly because I like it so much. “We can stop right over here if you want.”

He has his arm outstretched, pointing to a boulder where there’s a view of the lake and the stream. It looks perfect.

“Sounds good.”

He walks over to the boulder and puts down his backpack. To my surprise, he starts unloading a blanket and several food containers.

Did he plan this? I didn’t tell him I was going to be here. What’s going on?

“Perfect place to stop and have a bite to eat. You hungry?” he asks, as he unloads a never-ending meal.

“I’m not going to steal your lunch.” I cross my arms over my chest and stand at a distance from the boulder. And him.

“Don’t worry, I have more than enough. Why don’t youcome take a seat with me?” He taps atop the blanket.

It does look delicious, and I am hungry. Who did he bring this picnic for? Am I intruding? My eyes search the surroundings waiting for people to join us from the trees.

He pulls out a fresh baguette and I give up any reservations I had about eating his meal.

“You don’t strike me as someone who eats carbs,” I tease as I sit down.

“I brought hummus, grapes, salami, cheese, and sparkling water. It’s good to stay hydrated.”

“Wow. What is all this for? Are you celebrating?”

He brings out two cups, making sure everything is still chilled. There must be fifty ice packs in there.

“Do I need to celebrate something?”

“It doesn’t seem like a normal lunch.”

“How ’bout running into the same woman multiple times. Rarely happens.”

I have no words.

“Or to my thirty-second birthday,” he supplies. “That was two months ago, though.”

“You’re an Aries?”

“I don’t know,” he chuckles. “Don’t think too much ’bout that shit.”

My mouth drops open. I’m a big believer in the Zodiac signs. I happen to know Aries are considered one of my perfect matches. They’re obviously wrong in this instance—he’s not even here permanently.

“Shit?” I raise an eyebrow. “How dare you.”