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That’s the problem.
“Do you want to head back down?” I ask, praying to God that he’ll agree.
“Sure.” He nods downhill. “Should probably check on Erin and Abel anyway.”
I wanted him to say yes, so why am I kind of upset that he did?
“All right,” I say, forcing a tight smile.
And without another word, I guide him back down the mountain.
Later that night, I drag my fingers along the seam of my lips and frown. I should have gotten one last kiss.
Chapter 7
Elias
The hottest hookup of my life is followed by a whole week of Caleb avoiding me. He isn’t obligated to make an appearance wherever I am, but he’s actively trying to stay away and I wish I knew why. He made himself clear, he can’t do another tryst in the woods. Does he think I’ll jump him the next time I get close?
No… does he think he’ll jump me?
That has to be it because I’ve made myself very clear. I would never try to seduce him if he wasn’t interested. I may be extremely bummed that he doesn’t want anything more than a hot and heavy hookup one time, but I’m not pushy. Well, not sexually anyway.
I think a lot of people would consider me to be pushy or overbearing, maybe that’s why everyone I’ve been interested in has never wanted more than to keep it casual. Though, there have been the occasional overly interested off-the-jump guys who I was certain were more interested in my finances than me.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to spend some money on Caleb. Hell, he can have half of everything I have if our dates go well—if he’d let me take him out. But the difference is in intent, I suppose. I want to spoil my partner, not spoil someone into becoming my partner. I want them to want to be with me and think of the money as a bonus.
“Where’s the hunk you were shamelessly flirting with last week?” Erin asks, sipping a margarita as her tube floats closer to mine.
“Don’t call him a hunk,” Abel grunts from the deck, shaking his head as he sips his beer.
“Don’t be a downer,” she shoots back. “You know you’re the only hunk I want.”
“Better be,” he replies, shaking his head but smiling at her.
“So?” she asks, wiggling her brows. “Any updates on that front?”
I shrug, tipping my head back to see the fading sun instead of looking at her. “I asked him out and we hooked up, but I don’t think he’s interested.”
She squeals, splashing me lightly with water. “You hooked up?”
“On the hike,” I explain, keeping my voice low. The last thing I need is Caleb around overhearing and thinking that I’m gossiping about him. Erin is my friend, I wouldn’t indulge just anyone about this. “But he didn’t say yes to a date.”
She hums like she’s trying to gather her thoughts. “Maybe he didn’t want to start a long-distance thing? I mean, he lives here and we don’t.”
My lips draw down. “Maybe.”
“Maybe you should try harder,” she suggests lightly. “Let him know that you like traveling and you wouldn’t mind taking trips to see him.”
“You can only try so hard before you’re a creep, Erin.” Sighing, I shake my head. “I don’t want to go overboard and scare him off. I think he has a lot going on personally, you know?”
Erin nods, giving me a sympathetic look. “I think you should just lay it all out there. Tell him what you want and what you’re willing to do to get it.”
“Oh, so I should be vulnerable and have it thrown in my face when he turns me down again? No thanks, your advice sucks.”
Before she can protest, her husband speaks up. “Just fuck him.”
“That’s terrible advice,” Erin rebuttals, looking at him with shock.
