Page 56 of Camping with the Boss

“I’m so sorry, Carol. I forgot.”

“Oh. Okay.” Her face falls.

“Tomorrow. I’ll be there.” I lean down to catch her eyes. “I promise, okay?”

“Sure… Only, you promised yesterday too,” she says with a sigh as she walks on ahead of us.

Crap. What is wrong with me? I have one job—this retreat. It isn’t snuggling with my boss in the morning or making out behind trees.

Wade nudges my shoulder. “She’ll be okay.”

“I just hate disappointing anyone.”

Everyone’s already at breakfast, which proves I’m failing at this. Wade goes off to do his boss stuff while I go through the line for breakfast and sit at the table I usually share with Ander and Jared. And instead of sneaking glances at Wade’s sexy ass as he leans over to talk to Sheila—oops—I focus on everyone else.

Lydia is sitting by herself, eating waffles with lots of whipped cream.

Al and Owen, at separate tables, both look sullen. Owen stares at his plate with a frown on his face. Al, on the other hand, glares at everyone while stabbing his food and shoveling it into his mouth.

Vivian and Carol are sitting close together, whispering and looking around. Dillian ignores everyone. Quietly eating his food as if he’s alone in his kitchen.

Jet…Jet is watching me. As soon as our eyes meet, I move my hand to wave, but he quickly looks away. Odd.

And things get even odder when Ander sits across from me, and he’s all alone.

“Where’s Jared?”

“I’m not his keeper,” Ander snaps. “How would I know?”

Whoa. “Did you guys have a fight?” I remember the yelling from last night. I guess I have my answer.

He stabs his eggs and shoots a glare at me. “We’re not together.”

“Of course not?—”

“What does that mean?”

I have no idea. “I heard the yelling. Last night.”

“Oh.” His body relaxes, and without the anger, he looks…sad. “Lawyers, you know.”

“Yeah. Definitely.” Nope. Not at all. What is he talking about?

When Wade starts going over the agenda for today, it’s a relief. I focus on him instead of his brother.

“This is our last full day here, so let’s make it count. Tomorrow, we’ll have our usual morning activities. After lunch, Canyon will lead us through our final activity, and then we’ll pack up. The closing session is at four. It’s a chance to discuss what we’ve gained from the retreat. There will also be a light meal before we head home. Can?” He clears his throat. “Um, Canyon will detail what you can expect from today’s activities.”

I stand and weave through the tables. “Thank you, Wade—Mr. Darian.” I turn to the group. “I know yesterday didn’t go as planned. Today, we will work on something a little less intense. But if anyone is uncomfortable with the activity, please see me before we start.” I glance around the room. “But it needs to be an actual issue. Not because it seems too woke, Al.”

“Yeah. Whatever.” There’s a spattering of laughter around the room, and for a second, I think it’s going to be okay.

“You’re all an important part of this team. We all need to work together.” Most are nodding their heads or gathering their stuff. Jet won’t even look at me. What did I do? “Any questions?”

As people start to leave, I notice movement by the door.

“I have a question.”

My head jerks up. “River?”

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