Page 84 of Wild As Her

“Because I’m trying to be chill," I say.

“You’re about one eyebrow raise away from setting the barn ablaze. There is nothing chill about you right now. Absolutely nothing."

I sigh and take another sip. The cider isn't helping. It's not even distracting me.

The fire glows brighter as one contestantpasses Jack a marshmallow roasting stick. He takes it, twirls it in his fingers, and winksat me.

I nearly drop my mug.“Oh, for the love of God,” I mutter.

“You know,” Poppy said, “youcouldjust jump his bones and put both of you out of your misery.”

I shake my head.

Poppy gazes at Jack and says, “You know, God gave us men. But then he gave us Jack Jessop as an apology.”

I snort and shake my head. She’s not wrong.

“No one has to know. You guys can have a little hate fuck action. You know that would probably be so hot.”

I snort laugh but it's not funny. Hate fucking Jack does sound so hot. Especially after he walked around in a towel last night.

I shoot her a look and tease. “If one of them touches him again, I will throw hands.”

“I wouldpayto see that," Poppy snorts.

Love barks.

“I think she would too,” Poppy says as she reaches down and pets her.

I take a deep breath, adjust my ponytail, and step forward, only for Jack to excuse himself from them and meet me halfway.

Like he knows.Like he’s been waiting for me to make the move.

He stops in front of me, marshmallow stick still in hand.

“Hey,” he says, voice low.

“Hey.” I shrug.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I’ve been working," I say as I look everywhere but at him.

“You’ve been watching.”

I swallow. “So have you.”

He smirks, leaning just a little closer. “You look good tonight.”

“Only tonight?”

“Don’t start with me, Wilder.”

I look up at him and notice the firelight casting shadows across his stupidly perfect jawline.

"Where's Beau tonight?" he asks as he narrows his eyes.

We stand there, suspended in the firelight and tension, neither one of us quite ready to break it.