Page 53 of Camping with the Boss

“Hey.” He smacks my arm.

I hold out my hands. “According to several of my employees. But Dillian and Jet are the only ones River encourages. I’ve seen him do it. And I warned him that interoffice relationships are highly frowned upon—stop looking at me like that. I’m a hypocrite. I own it. And you’re…irresistible.”

“You’re forgiven,” he says, kissing me. And any thoughts of confessing and breaking the NDA vanish. “Do you think River slept with them?”

“Not sure. But I think that’s where the tension comes from. Jared told me they all went out the night before the retreat?—”

“What?” He sits up and glares at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought you knew.”

“He went out Sunday night. That’s why I was so worried about him getting up, but he just said…some friends from work. Oh.”

I rub his arm. “I know this is hard for you. Have you heard from him?”

He shakes his head. “But I’m tired of the secrets, Wade.” And for a moment, I think he’s talking about me. “Wait.” He grabs his papers off the table and scans through them.

“What are you looking for?”

“Here it is. River listed things to do around the campfire. I initially dismissed a few Jared would probably deem too risky. But Jared’s keeping secrets, too, so maybe that’s exactly what we need. Something to help us get to know each other better.”

“I’m afraid to ask,” I say in a joking tone, but I mean every word.

He grins, so different from the man I met two days ago. But I’m not the same person either. I’m a better person around him. And I want to hold on to that for as long as possible. “This might even be fun.” He scribbles a few notes, circles something, and nods, excitement in his eyes. “We’ll sit around the campfire, roast marshmallows, and play a game.”

I groan. “Please tell me it’s notTruth or Dare.”

Chapter Thirteen

Canyon

Wednesday, June 11th, 7 p.m.

My plan to lead the team in a game ofTruth or Dareimmediately falls apart. Gathering around the campfire is optional and several campers decline. Although their reasons vary from being tired to needing a break from the drama, it’s interesting that the ones not participating are mostly those we suspect of hiding something. Al and Owen. Vivian and Carol. George. And Sheila, but she actually looked exhausted.

We make s’mores. It’s a rule. You have a campfire. You have to make s’mores. There are only nine instead of the usual fifteen, so we’re in smaller groups around the fire. I’m sitting closer to Wade than is probably necessary, but I don’t care. We only have two more days. And I’m not ready to give this up. Once the retreat is over, everything will change…or go back to normal. Wade and I will go our separate ways.

But now, the soft night sounds, the crackle of the fire, and the flickering flames lure me into a happy place. River and I always loved this part. Telling stories around the campfire. Or playing games. Dad was the worst at telling ghost stories. He’d get themall mixed together. Mom would tease Dad for forgetting the most important part, and River would take over.

So many good memories. I’d pushed all of them away.

“Are you okay?” Wade touches my shoulder, his hand only lingering a second. His eyes are intent on my face.

“Yes.” And surprisingly, I am. “Just remembering good times.”

He nods at the others roasting marshmallows and laughing. “Do we have a backup plan?”

“Let’s share camping stories.”

His eyes soften for a moment. He really shouldn’t stare at me like that if we want to keep this thing between us secret.

“What are we doing?” Ander asks, and Wade grimaces. The rest of the group gets quiet.

“I thought we could share our favorite camping stories,” I say loud enough for everyone.

Ander claps his hands while darting a look at Wade. “This is going to be fun!”

“Ander…” Wade says in a warning tone.

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