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I ran my fingers over a coarse throw blanket as I moved around the room, and then spotted a table full of turquoise and amber jewelry. I went over and touched several of the smooth stones.
A delicate, dainty necklace caught my attention, made of silver with a turquoise charm naturally in the form of a misshapen heart. It was one of the prettiest things I’d ever seen. I looked at the price tag and balked. It would have cost me all the money I’d brought. I was sure it was worth that much, but still. I set it back down.
“See anything you like?” Kaidan asked. I hadn’t heard him walk over.
“Yeah. It’s all beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Can I... get you something?”
A rush of heat flowed to my face from the surprise of his offer. I kept my eyes on the table.
“Oh. No. I don’t need anything, but thank you.”
He stood so close that my shoulder touched his chest and I was afraid he could hear my galloping heart.
“I guess we’d better get back on the road,” I said.
“Yes.”
I turned to the kind couple and thanked them. They both nodded in their quiet way. Kaidan pointed to the drink cooler as we were leaving.
“I’ll get us drinks so we don’t have to stop again for a while,” he said, handing me the keys.
I squinted as I walked back out, cupping my hands above my eyes. I could hardly see, it was so bright. We hadn’t been in the store very long, but the inside of the vehicle was already ablaze with heat. I started the engine and cranked up the AC. As I sat in the hot car with the air blasting, I watched the woman weaving outside and wondered how many demon whisperers were involved in the trampling of Native American cultures throughout history.
The stride of Kaidan’s tanned legs in his baggy skater shorts shook me out of my reverie. He climbed in and put the cold drinks in the cup holders.
“New Mexico is my favorite state,” I declared as we pulled onto I-40.
“I’m waiting to see it all before I decide. And by the way, your driving isn’t half-bad. I expected to be terrified.”
“Why?”
“I imagined a timid, overly cautious little angel, but you’ve got an impressive lead foot.”
Whoops.
“Your car drives so quietly,” I said, “I don’t realize how fast I’m going. I’ll set the cruise control from now on.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an ear out for cops,” he told me.
“Will we be passing the Grand Canyon?” I asked. “I’ve always wanted to see it.”
Kaidan pulled out the map and studied it.
“It’s a bit out of the way, more than an hour. But how about this? We can go on the way back, since we won’t have a time crunch.”
I didn’t know if it was the desert air or what, but I felt at ease. I still had a thousand questions for Kaidan, but I wasn’t in the mood for another heavy conversation just yet. I liked talking to him. We were still guarded, and it wasn’t nearly as carefree as talking with Jay, but I was beginning to imagine keeping Kaidan in my life as a friend after this trip. Time would help us forget the kiss. My crush on him would fade. If I could stop analyzing every touch and every look, then maybe it could work. I vowed to myself at that moment: No more jealousy. No more flirting. No more lustful longing for the elusive Kaidan Rowe.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
LAUGHTER
Arizona was battling it out with New Mexico to win the title of favorite state, with more breathtaking red mountain views. At one point, the road seemed to be carved straight through a crack between two high mountains. Steep inclines surrounded us on both sides, and foreboding signs warned of rockslides, as if there were anywhere to escape. I stared out the window in awe as I drove.
There was one thing I had to do while we were in the Southwest.
“Do you like Mexican food?” I asked.
“There aren’t many foods I don’t like.”
I should have guessed. I was confident I could find a perfect place to eat when we pulled into a town near Flagstaff that afternoon. I bypassed busy chain restaurants until I found what I was looking for: a quaint hole-in-the-wall place like the one I frequented with Patti back home.
“Interesting choice,” Kaidan said.
“Trust me.”
My mouth watered at the scents of chilies and fried corn inside. One wall was painted with a mural of a Latina dancing woman, a colorful skirt flowing around her. Mariachi music was twanging overhead.
A hostess led us to a private booth with high backs and a brick archway at the end. A boy brought hot tortilla chips and a bowl of salsa.
I closed my eyes for a quick blessing and opened them to find Kaidan watching me, a chip loaded with salsa in his hand.
“Do you do that at every meal?”
“Yeah.” I took a chip and dunked it. “And every night before bed.”
We took our bites at the same time, and a second later both reached for our ice waters, eyes bulging.
“Hot!” I said, nearly sucking down the entire glass.
Kaidan laughed and wiped his forehead with his napkin. I should have known there’d be no wimpy mild stuff out here.
A waiter approached and we gave our orders.
“I didn’t see you pray either night,” Kaidan said after the man left.
“I don’t have to get on my knees or say it out loud. I just say it in my head while I lie there.”
He was contemplative as we munched on chips.
Our food came out superfast. Kaidan’s fajitas sizzled and gave off a steamy scent of cumin and sweet onion. We didn’t speak a word until we were finished, except when Kaidan said, “May I?” and skewered half of my shredded beef enchilada. When he finished, Kaidan threw his napkin down on the table in surrender.