Page 15 of The Love Hoax

I’m flummoxed. Was that his real plan or did Adam come to find me?

Irrelevant. I’m not in his dating pool and he’s not in mine. Truth is I have no pool, precisely how I like it.

Sarah says, “Maybe we’ll see you two later. Have fun.” The dog seems to understand and pulls her toward the trail, Troy waving goodbye.

I watch as Adam begins stretching, arms above his head, then bending at the waist, finally lifting and pulling each leg behind him until they touch his tight, adorable butt. “Ready?” he asks.

I look away, feeling the flush in my cheeks. “What do you mean?”

One corner of Adam’s mouth lifts in amusement. “The hike. Are you ready to start?”

“Are you suggesting we do this together?”

“Am I being too presumptuous?”

I can’t help but laugh. “If we keep asking each other questions rather than offering answers, we will never leave the parking lot.”

Adam laughs along. “You have a point. Let me clarify. I’d prefer to experience this trail with another person. It will take most of the day and doing it with someone else will be a lot more fun than alone. Given that we’re both set on conquering this trail, why not do it together?”

He sounds perfectly logical. And it doesn’t sound like a come-on. I can’t think of a good enough reason to refuse. Actually, the thought of spending the day with Adam is growing on me.

“I’m game if you are,” I say, hoping I won’t regret it.

Adam grins broadly. “Awesome! Come on. Let’s see which one of us is tougher when there’s no pool table involved.”

“No question on that one,” I say, and bound right past him.

Chapter Twelve

Adam

Two hours and two liters of water later, I’m down to shorts and an Under Armour t-shirt. I’m impressed with my hiking partner. She may be a big city woman but she’s built for the mountain. Tight muscles glistening with a light sheen of sweat, she’s keeping up with me.

Rising before dawn was a good move, even if it required a blaring alarm and a Red Bull. My heart is racing fast, and it isn’t from exertion or the energy drink. Evie is doing it for me.

When I first saw her at Yosemite Sam’s, my reaction was immediate. She’s stunning. Those alluring eyes pulled me in so fast, I nearly forgot my own name. Watching her kick Zane’s ass with confidence was the icing on the cake.

We’ve spoken little since starting the hike, which I appreciate and it seems she does as well. Twice I’ve witnessed her closing her eyes, knowing she was listening to the breeze rustling the leaves, theinsects buzzing, the scampering of woodland creatures in the brush. Just like I do.

We come upon a narrow clearing with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, several of their peaks draped in snow. I drop my pack beside a felled tree log.

“Hungry?” I ask. “I’m going to take a potty break and then grab a bite.”

“Sounds good,” Evie says. “I’ll do the same.”

When we’re back at the log, Evie pulls out two sandwiches, offering one to me.

I look at it, then at her. “No salad or kale chips?”

Evie takes a bite of the sandwich and swallows. “I’m the daughter of a deli owner. I was reared on pastrami and aged salami.”

“Oh, what I wouldn’t do for an overstuffed pastrami on rye right now.”

“Next time you’re in. Hartford, Connecticut, I’ll hook you up.”

“Connecticut girl.”

“I was. I moved to the Big Apple for college and have been there ever since.”