Page 40 of Wild Tangled Hearts

Silently, Alex helps me stow my backpack in the trunk of my car. His features are drawn into a deep frown, etched with frustration and concern. It's as though a storm is brewing within him, and I'm left to wonder what turbulent emotions are churning beneath the surface.

His hand lifts. I think he will touch my face, but then he thinks twice and rubs the back of his neck. “I should take you to the walk-in clinic—”

“I can go on my own if anything starts hurting.”

His frown deepens, and he hesitates before reaching into his bag and pulling out paperwork, “I’m going to need you to fill out an incident report.”

“Sure.” I take the forms and study them, unable to meet his gaze.

I was an idiot to think he was any different than any other guy.

“Bella, I—”

There’s a commotion on the other side of the parking lot, and his eyes narrow on Kurt and another hiker exchanging threatening words.

"Don't leave," Alex says, his tone leaving no room for argument. He turns and strides towards the impending fight, clearly determined to defuse the situation.

I watch him go, torn between my desire for a hot bath, rest and the sense of uncertainty that continues to gnaw at me. Alex's mixed signals have left me in a state of confusion, unsure of where we stand.

Alex and the other men have disappeared into the small wood hut that serves as SummitStar Adventures' office. The door swings shut, muffling voices and obscuring my view.

I fill out the incident report and place it on the windshield of his truck.

Should I stay and face whatever awaits, or should I slip away into the fading light of the day, leaving behind the enigmatic man who has both ignited and confounded my feelings?

Reader’s Choice:

What should Bella do next?

Get in the car and drive away. If Alex wants to talk, he can call. It’s time for a hot bath and a glass of wine. Turn to this page.

Stay and hear Alex out, even if it means ending the relationship for good. Turn to this page.

Chapter17

Alex

STUCK IN NEUTRAL

The murmurs from the small wood hut persist. I retreat into my car and close my eyes, grappling with frustration and confusion. Maybe it's best to leave. I had hoped this hike would be a way to break out of my comfort zone, but now it feels like a mistake. I considered Alex the safer choice, but now I'm second-guessing that decision. Perhaps I should have called Damien instead; at least with him, I knew the trouble I was getting into.

Sweat beads form on my forehead, the sun turning my tiny car into a sweltering sauna. I roll down the windows, letting in a rush of cool air, and steal one final glance towards the hut.

“This is stupid,” I mutter.

Just as I'm about to give in to the urge to start the car and drive away, the office door creaks open, and Alex steps out. His brow is still furrowed, but the storm raging within him earlier appears to have calmed somewhat. He spots me sitting in my car and walks over, his boots crunching on the gravel. We lock eyes for a moment before he breaks the silence.

"I'm sorry about all of this,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know I’ve been a bit of an ass today.”

“A bit?” I raise my brows at him.

He leans against my car, and the vulnerability in his eyes catches me off guard. “I’ve got some baggage I’m dealing with. Not that it’s an excuse for how I acted.” He runs his hands across his face and lets out a deep sigh. “I like you, Bella.”

I frown up at him. “You've been sending mixed signals all day. It's hard to know where I stand. I thought yesterday, last night, that we had a real connection. But if that’s not what you want, we can be friends.”

“I don’t want to be friends.” He leans into the car and places a palm on my cheek. “I mean, I want to be your friend, but I also want more. But...” He looks away.

“Even that, Alex. It’s mixed signals.” I sigh, feeling the weight of his confusion pressing on me.

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