Page 14 of Cheyenne

Cheyenne smirked, watching him. “You know, it feels like one of those moments where we both say we’re going to go get changed, but then you stalk me in an Uber or something.”

Micah shrugged. “Probably accurate. Why fight it?”

“Okay, so what’s the plan?” she teased.

He took a moment before answering. “Why don’t we just be honest? Let’s both go change, grab some sandwiches at that deli near the boardwalk, and then I’ll drive us wherever you want to go.”

Cheyenne looked skeptical. “You have a car?”

Micah nodded. “Yeah. Trey lent me his truck. And before you ask, no, this isn’t just about keeping tabs on you.” He paused, then added with a grin, “Although that’s definitely part of it.”

She tilted her head, laughing, her cheeks turning a soft pink. “What, are you worried I’m looking for gold or something?”

Micah arched an eyebrow, smirking. “Should I be? You do seem suspiciously like someone who’d break the rules.”

Cheyenne laughed harder, shaking her head. “Don’t worry. My brother’s already forbidden it, and I’m nothing if not obedient.”

Her mock-serious tone was completely unconvincing. He decided not to call her out on it, at least not yet. “Fine. How about this: we hang out today, and you show me whatever it is you’re looking for without actually finding anything. That way, it’s just us two having an innocent, totally normal day.”

She raised an eyebrow. “That’s your idea of innocent? Hanging out with a soon-to-be Navy SEAL?”

Micah grinned, taking her teasing in stride. “Hey, it’s a perfect cover story. You’re with someone ridiculously good-looking and trustworthy. Honestly, if I were you, I’d milk it.”

Cheyenne rolled her eyes, pulling her long blonde hair out of its tie. “You should consider being a lawyer with arguments like that.”

Micah laughed. “Nah, I think I’ll stick to the SEAL thing. It’s got more perks.” After a moment of silence, he decided to push his luck. “So, how about I take you back to your place? You can get changed. I’ll pick you up in thirty minutes, and we’ll go wherever you want.”

Cheyenne hesitated briefly, then turned toward the parasailing dock with a mischievous smile. “All right. Since we didn’t kill each other this morning, I’ll give it a shot. But I have one condition.”

Micah’s expression turned cautious. “What’s the condition?”

She pointed a finger at him, her tone firm but playful. “No reporting back to your brother, who’ll then snitch to my brother. Whatever happens, it stays between us.”

Micah hesitated. “I can promise not to sweat the little stuff. But if anything feels dangerous or suspicious, I’m going to report it. My family’s safety comes first.”

Cheyenne folded her arms, sizing him up. “Then you can’t come.”

“As we’ve established, I’m coming.”

She cocked an eyebrow. “Only if you pinky promise me that whatever happens stays between us.”

He hesitated.

She put out her pinky. “At least for this week.”

He spit into his hand and put it out. "Deal."

“What was that?” she demanded, leaning away in disgust.

“Spitting on your hand and shaking is better than any pinky promise.”

Cheyenne glared at him for a moment before breaking into laughter. Shaking her head, she relented. “Fine. Let’s go get changed. Then you can drive me to Wilmington.”

CHAPTER 7

Cheyenne

Cheyenne wasn’t entirely sure how she’d ended up driving to Wilmington with Micah, but it felt surprisingly comfortable. The old truck hummed steadily as country music played from the speakers. Micah had his window down, resting one arm on the sill, and eventually she mimicked him, letting the breeze tug at her fingers. It struck her as funny—being with Micah reminded her a lot of being with her brothers.

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