Page 65 of Hooked
“They kind of remind me of climbing pants.”
“That may be where they got the idea. I think some climbers do yoga, right?”
“Lots.” He bent down to her ear. “You’d love climbing.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Just you and the mountain. The quiet. The wind. The views.”
She shivered. “So you’re saying that I can’t blast my K-pop playlist while you’re stuck to the side of a mountain?”
“What if I promised to teach you fun things to do with ropes?” he whispered.
Her eyes went wide. Was Jeremy revealing a kinky side? “Uh…”
“You know, climbing harnesses—”
“You know we can hear you back there, right?” Ox broke in. “No offense, J, but I do not want to hear where this conversation is going.”
“Jealous much, Ox?” Tayla asked.
“Intrigued.” Emmie tapped her chin. “Tayla, let me know if you want book recommendations.”
She laughed as Jeremy covered his face.
“I’m shutting up now,” he said.
“No, no,” she said. “I’m very curious where you were going with that.”
His cheeks were dark. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll remind you.”
They arrivedat the trailhead an hour and a half later. The air was cool and crisp, and the dogwood trees were blooming along the road.
Tayla squeezed out of the truck and took a deep breath.
Fresh air. Pine. A little dirt.
“No pollen.” She sighed in relief. “Okay, this is my favorite place to be in the spring.”
Jeremy bent and kissed her cheek. “My mom says the same thing. She lectures me about the air quality in the valley all the time.”
“Do you have one of those air filters in your bedroom?”
He grinned and nodded as he bent over to lace up his hiking boots. “Christmas present from her a few years ago.”
“I need to get one,” Tayla said. “And in the meantime, maybe I’ll just spend more time up here.” She batted a fly buzzing around her face. “Or maybe not.”
“Come on.” Jeremy twisted a bandana and tied it around her neck. “It’s not that bad.”
It wasn’t bad; it was great. The air was clear, the sun was warm. The quiet was unexpectedly soothing. But she couldn’t give in that easily.
She bent over and dusted off her cute green hiking boots. “I can’t believe they’re already dirty.”
Jeremy laughed. “They’re hiking boots.”
“Yes. And I clean them every time I use them. Just because you wear something in the great dirty outdoors doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be cute and well cared for.”
