Page 20 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

"Sorry, what?"

She raises an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing at her lips. "I said we should get going. Unless you'd rather stand here making googly eyes at the local eye candy."

Heat burns my cheeks. "I wasn't?—"

"Uh-huh," she cuts me off, clearly not buying it. "Come on, girl. Let's blow this popsicle stand."

As we turn to leave, I sneak one last glance across the street. To my surprise, Everett's still watching me, his expression unreadable.

But it's the man beside him that catches my attention now. He's staring at Mel with an intensity that rivals Everett's, his jaw clenched tight.

Mel studiously avoids looking in their direction, but I notice the slight tremor in her hands as she fumbles with her keys.

"So," I venture cautiously. "You gonna tell me what that was all about?"

She sighs, her shoulders slumping. "It's... complicated."

"Complicated how?"

Mel opens her mouth to respond, but a deep voice cuts her off.

"Melanie."

We both whirl around to find the mystery man standing right behind us, his green eyes boring into Mel.

"Axton," she breathes, and I swear I can see her pulse quicken in her throat.

There's clearly history here—and some unfinished business.

"What do you want?" Mel's holding those keys like a lifeline.

Axton takes a step closer, his voice low and urgent. "We need to talk."

"I've got nothing to say to you," Mel snaps, but I don't miss the slight tremor in her voice. “Axton, Kenzie. Kenzie, Axton.”

I glance between them, feeling like I'm witnessing something I shouldn't. The air is thick with unspoken words and barely contained emotions.

"Kenzie," he nods in my direction.

"Nice to meet you," I respond cautiously, noting how Mel's grip tightens around the handle. I watch her closely, sensing the tension rolling off her.

Axton's gaze shifts between Mel and me, and he clears his throat. "I'm sure we'll see each other around. Drive safe."

"Will do," Mel says briskly, her voice clipped.

We climb into the truck. As soon as we pull away, I can feel the tension in her posture.

I glance at Mel as she navigates the winding roads of Silver Ridge. Her jaw's clenched tight enough to crack walnuts.

"So..." I drawl, desperate to understand what just happened. "That was... intense."

Mel's eyes flick to me, then back to the road. "We're not talking about Axton."

"Come on," I wheedle. "You can't leave me hanging like that. The way he was looking at you was…"

"I said we're not talking about it," Mel snaps. Then, softer, "At least not until you're ready to swap stories. Everett was staring at you like he has heat vision."

I blink, caught off guard. "Everett? There's nothing going on between me and Everett."

---