Page 11 of Timber's Line

“Tyler, this is Timber,” Carlton introduces us.

He takes my hand and kisses it like the men do in historical romances and I blush.

“Nice to meet you,” he says, smiling. I try to read his eyes to see if he’s pleased or if he sees me as a fat girl, but he’s hard to read.

“Tyler, where are you taking Timber today?”

“I’m going to take her on a hot air balloon ride with a picnic,” he says. I don’t let on, but I’m terrified of heights.

“Cut.”

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“I’m sorry, I should have asked, but are you afraid of heights?” Tyler looks concerned.

“I am, but I’m willing to try,” I tell him honestly.

“We don’t have to go far up, and we can stay tethered,” he offers.

“Or you could just change the date,” Dayton says as he comes up behind him. He’s looking at me weirdly.

“I don’t need protecting,” I hiss at him.

“Not protecting, just giving my input.” He nods at Tyler, who heads off to talk to Sal.

“What is your deal?” I don’t know where this burst of anger comes from. One minute he’s treating me like shit, and the next, he’s telling Tyler to change the date.

He stares at me for a minute, and I have a moment where I wonder what it would be like if he kissed me, he’s that close to me.

“Just looking out,” he says and walks off. What is wrong with me? I shouldn’t fantasize about him at all—he’s a jerk.

“Dayton is right. They’re going to edit that out and it will just be a picnic,” Tyler says, watching Dayton for a minute.

“Okay, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Ready?” He reaches for my hand, and I take it, knowing I need to live a little, even if the cameras are watching. Even if it is just a picnic.

CHAPTEREIGHT

DAYTON

“We’re moving to the picnic,” Memphis says from my side.

“And?” Should I care? My job is waiting around for her to come back. Why do I even care who she goes with? I’m just here so Sal will let me back in the cage.

“You need to get a grip.”

I whip around to face him. “I have a grip. I think you all need to get a grip.”

He stares me down for a minute and I know I shouldn’t have snapped at him. I wonder if something is wrong with me or it’s just that I’m an asshole.

“I could pummel you into the ground right now, D. But I’m not going to. You’ve been holding a grudge on the world since your accident. Since Snow left. She’s not coming back. Is it so hard to move on?”

I swallow hard, knowing he’s right. She’s not coming back. I messed up, and I need to get past it.

“Ah, the wheels are finally working. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. It never is. I know you loved her, but sometimes things happen for a reason. And sometimes we find something we were never looking for.” He smirks at me.

“Wow, you’ve been hanging around Ever too long,” I snort.