Page 21 of When Glitter Meets Gold

“No, but your face paints a thousand words.” I pout. “You think I’m a brat who doesn’t like to get her hands dirty.”

Jack pulls out more straps from another compartment of his bag. “No. I think the storm is thirty seconds fromshowing its ugly face, and I’m the only one doing anything about staying out of its way.”

In mocking irony, a crack echoes in the distance and jagged fork paths light up the sky.

Right. It appears he has a point.

I grab the end of a rope and toss it into the tent. It lands just short of where I’d aimed. He scoops it up, managing not to roll his eyes at my pathetic trajectory.

I swallow thickly as I inspect the tent, remarking how quickly Jack’s managed to pitch it. “So, you do this a lot? This camping thing.”

“Yup.”

“Why?”

“Because I like it.”

I don’t have a response for that, and it’s not because I can’t understand why a person would find enjoyment in being out here. That part I’m slowly coming to grips with. He’s like Drew, someone who does things for the adrenaline rush. The part I’m struggling to comprehend is imagining Jack enjoying anything.

I shake away the comparison I just made between him and Drew. They’re nothing alike.

Drew.I groan because it’s the first time I’ve thought about him since flying off the cliff in the Jeep. He can never know about the accident, no one can ever find out. I breathe steadily, praying for this storm to pass so I can get back to the hotel.

The hotel. My key.

A ragged whine spews out of me. If I’d just left my key at reception as instructed, a search party would be on its way by now.

Another crack lights up the sky, and this time I can’t stop the squeal that rips from my throat.

I march back to the tent, shrieking as dirt and other debris kicks up, splattering my ankles and ruining my boots. What I would trade to be in heels walking on concrete right now.

I swipe the material at the entrance of the tent, and step inside.

“Shoes,” Jack mumbles as he nods to my feet. He’s got the blunt side of a knife between his teeth while he tugs at a rope, which hangs from the top of the tent.

I kick off the booties. “Why do you have a knife?”

He removes it from his mouth and uses it to cut off the end of the rope. “Comes in handy out here.” Then he hides it away in his pocket like he’s kicking himself for letting me see it.

“How far do you think it is to my Jeep?” I blurt out, a fresh idea prevalent in my mind.

“Too far.” He narrows his eyes as he hangs a lamp from the end of the rope. The dim space is suddenly transformed, everything amber-washed under the gentle glow of a bobbing lantern.

“My phone’s in there,” I say, upset that I didn’t consider this before now. “If I could get to it, then maybe I can call for help.” I can hear the pleading tone in my voice. I can’t deny it’s there, because at this stage that’s all I can do. Plead for him to recognize that there must be another solution other than spending the night together in this oversized raincoat.

“Getting to your car is out of the question,” he replies. “We’d have to trek down the mountain, which could take up to a coupledays.” There goes that idea. “I know this isn’t what you had in mind, and trust me, it’s mutual. But it beats being out there.” He motions to the roof of the tent where the rain pounds like pebbles hitting a tin roof.

“There’s got to be something else we can do,” I say. “Maybe I could climb to higher ground with the radio? Give it here.” I hold out my hand.

“Waiting it out is the only option.” His low, grumbling tone begins to surface. “It’s like you’re determined to hurt yourself. Always trying to put yourself in the worst possible danger. Maybe that’s your game.” He pauses, his brow creasing with frustration. “What is it you want from me?”

My breath catches in my throat.

“What do I want fromyou?” My jaw hangs, baffled by his outburst. “How about we start with you being less of an ass?”

He takes a step forward. “Start with?” He crosses his arms over his chest. “Ah, so you do want something. I knew it. Alright, let’s hear it.” He takes another step forward, his large frame towering over me even though he has to stoop to fit into this cramped space.

“Have you lost your mind?” I stand my ground, peering up at him as I stand as tall as my five-foot-five body will allow.

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