Page 117 of Far From Sherwood Forest

I’d rather be here than back there.

The next time I open my eyes, the other guys are back, and I don’t mind it so much.

And then John opens his mouth.

“Can’t wait to hear how Henry’s hike goes. Bet he scares all the tourists until they go running back to the parking lot.”

“Perfect,” I deadpan. “Hike finished in record time.”

“Talk about damage control,” Brian mutters, hiding a grin behind his drink.

Robin and Will’s conversation dies, and their attention drifts to the rest of us, already looking as amused as the others.

“Could I pay for a solo hike?” Robin asks, his eyes on me, one brow arched. “Following you around and getting to stare at your ass all day would be worth the money.”

Everyone around us erupts into laughter while our gazes remain locked, and I don’t even try to stop the spread of the grin that slowly stretches my lips.

Still laughing, Brian stands and tosses his empty bottle into the garbage bag at the edge of our circle. “And that’s my cue to call it a night.”

“Wait for me,” Spencer says as he shoots up out of his chair.

He didn’t even need to say it because Brian was already waiting. Hands linked, they walk off toward their tent.

Normally, I might roll my eyes at how clingy they both are. Ever since they got engaged last month, they’ve been even more so, especially Spencer. However, after I started noticing how down Spencer would get every time Brian had to go out of town to work a few days at another park, I began seeing a bit of myself in him. Of course, ever since that first day I invited him over to our place, Robin has been the one to do it even more often, usually asking me first.

Since I’m incapable of saying no to him, we end up having company more often than I care for.

If I could, I’d whisk Robin away where no one could ever find us. I’d never feel alone as long as I have him. But then he’d be unhappy, and…maybe I don’t mind the company.

Not that I havefriendsor anything.

Ivy might argue. Of course, she still refuses to tell me any details about how the king recognized her. She hinted that he was one of those people she mentioned last getting attached to decades ago. I suspect she did something for him that required her to find loopholes like she did for us, so I’ll probably never get it out of her.

But…dammit, I look forward to her visits. As much as I hateto admit it.

Maybe I haveonefriend.

John starts kicking dirt toward the fire. “I guess we have to put this out, huh, Ranger?”

I roll my eyes. It’s a calm night, so I’m not too worried about it. However, I guess I should be a good role model and follow the rules of the park I’m a literal ranger for.

Sometimes I forget I’m actually supposed tobea ranger.

“You grabbed the flashlight, right?” Robin asks me as he stands and throws away his empty beer bottle.

“Oh, shit. I must’ve left it in the truck.”

Totally not on purpose…

Leaning over a bit, I reach into my pocket and pull out my keys, holding them up for him. “Do you want to go get it?”

His eyes narrow on me, full of suspicion, highlighted by the light of the flames that flicker against the earth being kicked over them, smothering the heat.

“Sure,” he says, the word drawn out as he takes the keys from me.

His suspicious glare lingers on me a moment longer before he finally turns and walks away from the campsite, his steps crunching over leaves and twigs, the sound fading the farther he gets.

“You’re really going to let him walk through the woods alone at night?” John asks.