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“No problem.” Dell’s friendly smile is beyond creepy. “We missed our reservations, but I’m having a great time with your sisters and their men. You didn’t tell me how much fun they are.”
Desperation claws at me like birds trapped in my belly. I need to get Dell out of here. “We can find somewhere else to eat. I was really hoping to have a night out to catch up.”
“We can catch up here. There’s nothing we have to say that your sisters can’t hear.”
My jaw clenches so tight, I’m worried for my teeth. Jaxon slides his hand into mine and squeezes. It doesn’t help, but I’m glad he’s here.
“I’ll get you two chairs.” Asher hops up and hurries out of the kitchen. “Want to help me, man?”
Asher grabs Jaxon’s arm and drags him out of the room. Jaxon gives me an apologetic look before letting go of my hand.
I’m torn between running after them to make sure Jaxon doesn’t say too much and staying in the kitchen to prevent whatever nonsense Dell is about to throw down.
“Are you and Jaxon dating?” Dani leans across the table toward me, her expression a bit too worried considering the excitement in her tone.
Jaxon and I discussed this on the way here and decided it would be best if we tell everyone we aren’t dating. He’s going back to LA soon and, no matter how much I’m beginning to wish for more, there’s no way I can go with him. Not that he’s asked. “We’re just good friends.”
“Didn’t you say you two have been searching the forest for something?” Dell goes way overboard with his innocent act, brows high, voice soft.
“Yep.” I don’t have a good cover story for this one, and I’d rather reveal the truth about my treasure hunt than talk about my past. “He’s been helping me search for grandpa’s treasure.”
Daisy gasps. “I thought we agreed there’s no point in looking for it. It’s either long gone or it never existed.”
Thankfully, Jaxon and Asher return with chairs, and I’m able to ignore the question as we sit. It’s a tight fit in the uncomfortable metal folding chairs we got for a sanctuary farm fundraiser, and I shift uncomfortably as I try to come up with an excuse to leave and take Dell with us.
“What treasure?” Grant asks. “I’ve been all over that forest and I’ve never seen any sign of a treasure.”
“Daisy might be right,” I say. “Jaxon and I haven’t found anything that matches our grandfather’s cryptic riddle. There’s probably not any treasure, but it’s been fun looking.” It’s better not to let them know how serious I am about this treasure yet. I don’t want them shutting the search down before we find anything.
“Aren’t you terrified of the woods?” Dani’s brow pinches in concern.
“What?” Goldy looks hurt. “When did that happen?”
Shit. Shit. Shit. “I’m just not an outdoorsy person.”
Dell laughs savagely. “Oh, shit. It’s because of that time you got lost in the woods, isn’t it? You were such a chicken back then.”
I bite my cheek hard enough to taste blood. “It was a long night and there were a lot of weird noises. It stuck with me.” Dell had been the one to suggest camping. Turns out, it was a meetup for Dell to get drugs to sell on the street. Dell sent me away so his contact wouldn’t know I was there and, when I got back to our campsite after the requisite time, Dell was gone, along with our tent and all our equipment. He claimed he’d had to go with the contact, who was paranoid about Dell’s trustworthiness, or be killed.
Dell had apologized profusely.
I’d believed he was sorry and believed his story, but once I’d gotten away from him and saw him in a different light, I remembered that the whole incident had happened two days after he’d accused me of flirting with one of his friends. I suspect leaving me in the woods was his version of reminding me how much I needed him.
Dell laughs. “Man, you were terrified. I can’t believe you haven’t gotten over it yet.”
He doesn’t seem to notice no one else at the table is laughing.
Jaxon rests his palm on my thigh and squeezes. “She’s been spending a ton of time in the woods. I’d say she’s definitely over it.”
Dell narrows his eyes and frowns, but he doesn’t say a word. His hand tightening on his glass of lemonade is communication enough of what he’s thinking.
I can’t believe I ever thought I loved him.
“So, Jaxon.” Daisy’s sitting next to me and leans forward to see Jaxon around me. “Have you ever thought of writing a memoir?”
Jaxon chuckles. “Not sure my life has been interesting enough for a memoir. All I’ve done is work since I was a kid.”
Daisy’s smile is full professional mode. “I’m sure a lot of people would be interested in knowing more about you.”
