Page 12 of Moonlight With Maddox (Mountain Men Fall Harder #6)

L eni

We sit on an old fallen log, its bark long since worn smooth from time and weather.

From here in this secluded spot that Maddox was kind enough to share, we can see the whole valley spread out below us.

We watch as the sun slips past the horizon, leaving only a faint glow behind, like the last ember in a fire.

Maddox leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees, his gaze fixed on the view. “I’m glad we made it in time.”

I chuckle under my breath and shake my head. “That’s only because you drove like a bat out of hell up those questionable roads that were more like walking trails.”

The corner of his mouth ticks up in amusement. “Hey, I got you the shot, didn’t I?”

“You did.” I lift my camera from my lap and scroll through the photos of the valley bathed in a soft orange light. “Totally worth risking my life on a dirt path with no guardrail.”

“That wasn’t a dirt path,” he defends with a chuckle. “It was a perfectly respectable—mountain access road.”

I roll my eyes and reach for the canvas tote at my feet.

“Here.” I say handing him a sandwich and a bottle of water. “Before we starve to death at the top of your respectable access road.”

“The city girl came prepared.” He teases.

“You forget, I grew up here too, you know. And I’ve seen a lot more remote places in the world.” I grin. “I always pick up at least the essentials along the way.”

But as soon as the words come out, the small smile that had been playing on his lips disappears.

Maddox tears open the plastic container and nearly consumes half the sandwich in one bite. The last sliver of light disappears, before Maddox brushes the crumbs off his hands and stands up. “We should probably head back before it gets too dark.”

Hot.

Cold.

Hot.

And now he’s cold again.

“What is your deal?” I blurt out, before I can check myself.

“What?”

“You know what I’m talking about.” I stand and poke him in the chest. “We were having a perfectly nice enough time and then you just shut down.”

The sky darkens around us, but Maddox just stands there staring at me. His fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. The expression on his shadowed face makes me think he has something he’s holding back, but just won’t say it.

“Just say it,” I yell at him, shattering the quiet around us.

“Fine, you really want to know?”

“I asked, didn’t I?” I cross my arms to try and match his intimidating stance.

“Yesterday was fun. But that’s all it could ever be. We don’t make sense together.”

The teenage me’s head snaps up in surprise. And the wave of insecurities I once felt about my awkwardness, my loner tendencies, and especially the extra weight I carried hits me like a physical blow.

You’re so weird.

Don’t sit next to her.

Leni, lose some weight we can hear you walking from down the hall.

It’s weird how being back in your hometown can trigger feelings you thought you’d long since tucked away.

“I know that I probably don’t fit in the mold you’re used to, but you didn’t have to lead me on the way you did if you’re just embarrassed to be seen with me.”

I don’t bother to wait for his reaction. Instead, I grab my bags and head back towards the path we drove up on. I’d rather walk than sit in the truck with that jerk again.