She swallowed and looked down at her camera again, fiddling with something. “Philosopher too, Hunter? Impressive repertoire of skills.”
“I gots lots of skills, Mallory,” he said slowly, exaggerating the tone and grinning so she would know he was playing, which was strange. He was not normally playful, but it was natural with her. Maybe he needed to watch his footing, too.
She snorted and gave him a look. “Now that is not a skill. Don’t ever do that again. And it’s Mal,” she added with a sly smile.
Screw footing.
He softened his smile. “Mal, then.” He nodded at her camera. “Are you getting the shots you need?”
She nodded rapidly. “Tons. This is awesome. I can’t wait for the sun to come up.”
He looked around for a second, gauging where they were. There wasn’t going to be too much more to offer when the sun did come up. It wouldn’t have the same magic she was looking for, but something else might.
“I think you’ll be disappointed when it does,” he said slowly, thinking fast. “But I have an idea.”
She lowered her camera. “Do I want to know?”
He smirked. “What would you say to a sunrise view from the shore? You could get tons of shots where the rowers dock and launch, and no one is out this morning.”
She glanced over to where he had suggested, and then whirled back, dislodging his hold on the jacket in her excitement. “Yes.”
He grinned and waved her back to the truck. “Let’s go! We gotta hurry.”
Moments later, they were racing down the winding roads again, this time with far less care and caution. Mal clutched the handle for dear life, her other hand braced on the dash. “We’re not gonna make it,” she muttered, her eyes wide open. “We’re not gonna make it.”
“We will make it,” he insisted, grinning as the tires squealed again. “I’ll get you there before the sun comes over the ridge.”
“That’s not what I mean,” she hissed between her clenched teeth. “I’m going to die in your freaking Dodge Ram before we get anywhere. In a ravine.”
He laughed. “You will not. I’ll get you there in one piece—no ravines. Trust me.”
“Trust you? I’ve known you for like three seconds. How’s that supposed to work?” Her voice was getting higher, and he wished he could stare at her to see the play of emotions on her face.
He risked a glance at her. “Want me to hold your hand?”
“No!” she shrieked, laughing. “Two hands on the wheel, moron! Shut up and drive!”
He laughed out loud and took a few more curves in silence. She wasn’t any calmer, so he tried for distraction. “So, you like barbecue.”
She jerked and looked at him with horror. “What?”
“Last night. That was some good stuff. You guys get that often?” He flicked his eyes to her, then back to the road.
“You heard,” she murmured, finally sitting back in her seat.
He shrugged. “Not really. I got the impression, at least. Then I saw your plate, and I put two and two together.”
“I didn’t think anyone noticed,” she murmured, looking away. “I only meant to shut the girls up, not to make a demonstration for the entire group.”
“Uh, I think everyone noticed,” Hunter assured her with a laugh. “It wasn’t very discreet.”
Mal rolled her eyes and sank back completely in her seat. “Oh, good. I love being the center of attention.”
“It was the best thing I’ve ever seen.”
She looked at him with a doubtful brow raised.
He nodded once. “I mean it, Mal. That was perfect.” Then he quirked a half grin. “The fact that you cleaned your plate just made it better.”