Page 21 of Moonlight and Mischief
“He and I hung out yesterday evening,” I answer, biting the inside of my cheek. It’s technically true. Hopefully, he’s satisfied and lets it go.
His dark eyes study me. “Are you dating him?”
A flush crawls up my neck. This is the exact assumption we wanted to avoid.
“Absolutely not. No.” I throw my hands up, almost launching the rosemary into the next garden bed. Whoops! Clutching the sprigs together, I cross my arms.
“So why do you smell like him?” he asks.
My mouth gapes open as my heart races. He isn’t buying my excuse. Repeating it will make me look like a liar. The best option is the truth.
“I’m temporarily staying in his second bedroom,” I explain.
“Interesting.” His face stays passive.
“Nothing is going on! I needed a space of my own and he has the room, and it’s been fun.” My hands wave to emphasize my point, and I have to gather the herbs together to avoid losing them.
“Cool,” he says. Apparently, that’s enough of an explanation for him because he heads back toward the diner without another word.
After delivering the herbs, we head toward the training building to meet up with the patrol that has returned.
“Are you guys busy?” Hazel asks. Cedar shrugs.
“Not really, what’s up?” I say.
Hazel glances behind her. Slate strolls across the meadow toward us, Onyx and Jasper beside him. “We were thinking about a short hike before dinner. It’s too nice out to waste. Do you want to join us?”
“Sure,” Cedar says.
“Yeah, sounds great.” I have to agree with her, it’s too lovely out to stay indoors. The trees smell fresh and green with new growth. Wildflowers have started to bloom.
“How was your day?” Slate asks Hazel. She swings their clasped hands as they walk. Adorable.
“Great,” she answers, smiling up at him like he is her moon and stars. I find myself sighing and lookingtoward Jasper. His clear turquoise eyes gaze ahead, framed in blonde lashes lit up with filtered sunlight.
We wander north-east toward an area with an incredible view. Slate loves this spot. The musty smell of decaying leaves and the crisp scent of pine resin sink into my lungs as we get further from our community and into the thicker forest.
Jasper slows to walk beside me
but stays silent. Our wrists brush and I lift my hands instinctively, clasping them together nervously.
“Did you have a good patrol?” I ask, making my voice cheery.
He nods, not looking at me. “Fine. How was the afternoon with your students?”
“Fine,” I say slowly, drawing the word out.
“And you had a good time with Cedar?” he says, his tone cold.
My smile melts into a scowl and I study his expression for more information. He looks irritated, but I can’t imagine why. “I guess. I helped him harvest some herbs for Clove. So we are getting her herb dinner rolls tonight if we’re lucky.”
He purses his lips, silent.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m good,” he says, finally looking at me. I search for hints of anger or hurt in his bright eyes, but he’s an enigma. I can tell he isn’t happy, but whatever he’s feeling is layered and he’s keeping it contained.
Slate asks a question I don’t catch, and Jasper speeds up to walk alongside his brother. Onyx takes his spot.
