“Dude,” Bats growls at Grinder. “Leave it.”
“She wants to make a bet. Not me,” Grinder says, his eyes locked on mine. “What’s the bet?”
I take a moment to consider. What do I want from Grinder? A good cup of coffee? Sure. But Grinder’s expression makes me think this might be far more important. Like maybe my entire relationship with Grinder could rest on this. Yes, he’s an asshole, and that’s not going to change. He’s also a control freak, and he’s going to continue to exert that control. Unless . . .
“Control of the schedule for a whole day.” I offer, and I swear he flinches. “You make me the best cup I’ve ever had, and we’ll do your thirty miles. I’ll even give you my phone for the day.”
He waves the last stipulation off. “Nova will take photos for you.”
Nova shrugs. Yeah, he would. If there was time. But on a thirty-mile pace, there wouldn’t be much. Then again, what are the odds Grinder could deliver the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had?
Nova squeezes my hand, drawing my attention. “Belle, you don’t want to make this bet. Grinder . . .”
Grinder cuts him off with a sharp, “You know the rule. What happens on the trail stays on the trail and what happens at home stays at home.”
Nova levels a warning glare at his friend. “Then back off, Grinder,” he snaps. “You’re baiting her and you know it.”
Grinder scoffs. “How? Belle offered the bet. But, to be fair . . .” Then Grinder smiles at me. It’s not a pleasant smile. Like a shark saying “hi” to its prey. “Last chance to back out, princess. Are you sure that’s the bet you want to make?”
You know the scene in A Christmas Story when Schwartz gets Flick to stick his tongue to the flagpole? Judging by the expressions around the table, I might be Flick. But I’m too far committed. I’ve played enough poker to know when to fold, or how sometimes you have to make the bet just to see if your gut is right and your opponent’s bluffing. I take a deep breath and stick out my hand to shake.
“Belle . . .” Nova starts.
“It’s only a day,” I tell him, my eyes locked on Grinder. “Make me the best cup of coffee of my life.”
Grinder’s smile turns almost wicked as he takes my hand in his. “It’ll be my pleasure.”
We’ll see about that.
***
After breakfast, we head back to the lodge before splitting up. Grinder says he has some calls to make and still hasn’t figured out which way we’re heading tomorrow. Bats snags our clothes from yesterday and heads out, planning to wash them before hitting up the sporting goods stores in town. Nova says that’s his thing.
Which leaves me and Nova. We wander back into town, stopping at a bistro across the street from where we had breakfast. “Want some more coffee?” Nova asks. “My treat.”
I smack my lips. “Always.” He holds the door for me, and we make our way up to the counter. I order their PCT special, and a few minutes later, it appears on the counter. It’s a nutty mocha with a hint of berry and tastes wonderful. Fuck, I should have used this as the standard for my bet with Grinder.
After coffee and wandering through assorted shops, we snag some sandwiches at the deli and stop for ice cream. Nova goes for the mint chocolate chip. I spot chocolate and black cherry instead. We find a place to sit outside and dig in. My turkey sandwich is decent, but the ice cream nails it. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had ice cream in a while, but it hits the spot. Casting a glance at Nova, that lusty voice in my head reminds me that’s not all I haven’t had in a while. I shush it. Yes, Nova is fun to be around. And yes, he has a rather nice body with firm biceps, flat abs, and when I get a view from the backside, a nice ass. Still, I hardly know the guy. Like at all. Despite Rachel’s suggestion to have fun, I’m not a quick fling sort of girl. While I can’t say if Rach ever liked Bryce, she appreciated that I was getting laid on a regular basis. According to Rach, that’s part of the whole early twenties college experience. Lucky me, right?
I take another bite of ice cream, letting it sit on my tongue to melt. Dragging the spoon from my mouth, I moan in appreciation of the creamy goodness. I catch Nova’s gaze locked onto my mouth, heated enough to melt, well, ice cream. I need to get his attention . . . okay, both of our attention, onto something else.
“Favorite place for ice cream?” I blurt out. He licks his lip as he takes a moment to decide. Crap. I should have gone with something safe, like what’s your favorite season? Cats or dogs? Anything that doesn’t involve things to do with our tongues.
“The Bart and Gary’s factory,” Nova answers. “We stopped there once after a hike. Their ice cream is great, but getting it fresh from the factory? Nothing like it. I’d go there daily if they weren’t five hours from the university. You?”
“Easy. Cream and Cone. They do amazing things with flavors you’d never think to put in an ice cream. Like honey lavender, or pear and blue cheese.”
“I like it. My turn.” He holds up his sandwich. “Favorite deli?”
“Another food question?”
Nova flashes me a wicked grin. “I like to eat.” His heated gaze is making it clear what he’d like to eat.
A warm tingling passes through my core at that suggestion, leaving me as wet as the ice cream melting in my cup. Once more, I push lusty thoughts aside. Nova’s a nice guy who I want to get to know better. And not because my body wants him to do everything he’s been insinuating. Clearing my throat, I answer, “There’s this place a few blocks off campus . . .”
We spend the next hour bantering back and forth as we finish our lunch, getting to know each other. I stand as he returns from disposing of our trash. “So, what do you want to do now?” Nova’s eyes get a wolfish gleam again. “And please, don’t say it’s me. I don’t need any cheesy pickup lines.”
“Sorry,” he replies. “All my pickup lines are cheesy. Grade A cheddar.”
A snicker escapes me. I don’t doubt they’re all cheesy. And likely will make me laugh. I could use some laughter in my life right now. No matter how cheesy.
As we start back toward the lodge, Nova offers me his hand and I take it without hesitation. It’s the kind of nice I’m ready for. Maybe with enough nice, I’ll be ready for more.
***
I walk into the main lodge, tablet in hand, hoping to get some work done on my project. There’s a refreshment table and places to sit in the lobby. I spot Grinder at a small table, scowling at his phone. A reasonable person would grab something and go. However, my morning with Nova has me considering if there could be something more between us. Which means I should at least try to be friendly with Grinder.
He doesn’t look up as I draw near, not until I place my tablet and my cup of coffee on the table and sit down. “Tired of playing with Nova?” he asks, glancing up.
“Thought I’d use their Wi-Fi a bit before dinner,” I tell him. “Plus, they have coffee. I can’t say no to a good cup of coffee.”
Grinder scoffs, but his gaze lingers on me. There’s something in his eyes. A hint of an emotion other than apathy. It’s not too dissimilar from the way Nova looks at me, drinking me in like a cold cup of water on a hot summer day. Except Grinder’s expression says that even if he may like what he sees, he still can’t make heads or tails of me or why I’m here. And I’m okay with that. We don’t need to like each other to hike together, but cordial would be nice.
“Don’t worry,” he says, waving his phone. “I made a call. Next stop, you’ll get a good cup.”
“Then what are you still doing in here scowling?”
Grinder puts his phone down and leans back, crossing his arms. “What is this? Some game? See how much you can piss me off in one day?”
“I can’t be curious what one of my hiking buddies is up to?”
“We are not buddies,” he retorts. “You’re simply hiking with my buddy.”
“Buddies,” I reply, and his brow shoots up.
“Now you’re buddies with Bats too?”