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Chris stands with his empty plate in hand, then turns to me. “I completely agree! I’m getting some more food. Isabella, can I get you anything?”

Before I can answer, David speaks up. Apparently regaining his confidence. “Speaking of food, who’s feeding Mo while we’re away?”

The question draws everyone’s attention back to David. Chris looks between us, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Who’s Mo?”

I shoot David an annoyed look. Here I attempted to rescue him from their teasing and he basically announces to the group that we’re neighbors.

“Mo is my cat,” I answer without looking up at Chris. I keep my eyes narrowed on David. “And my sister is feeding him.”

Without looking away from me, David replies, “Ah, I see. I’m glad I closed all my windows before I left the house. I tend to find him on my bed when I forget.” The corner of his lips twitching just enough for me to know he’s trying to get a rise out of me.

“Do you two… live together?” Chris asks, his voice cracking on the word together, like it pains him.

“No!” I answer, much louder than I intended to.

“We’re neighbors. And unfortunately, her cat likes me better than her.” David dabs his face with his neatly folded napkin.

Everything about his mannerisms makes it seem like he belongs at a fancy tea party and not a makeshift picnic area in the middle of the wilderness.

Chapter nine

David

For the rest of the day, I try to stay close to Isa. I don’t trust this Chris guy, and he hasn’t left her side all day.

Jeez, Chris. Give the girl some space to breathe. If she wasn’t so irritatingly gregarious, guys like Chris wouldn’t be attached to her like a bee to honey.

She’s being nice and friendly to him, the same way she is toward everyone else in our group, but she’s definitely not being flirtatious. He just can’t take a hint, and it’s pissing me off.

I’m not jealous or anything, but as a man who has a sister, I feel the urge to protect. Her filling my yard with consignment store flamingos doesn’t mean I want her to get murdered. Although that would make my life a little easier.

The fact is, you don’t have to like someone to make sure they’re safe. It’s simply the right thing to do.

Mile after mile, it becomes more difficult to stay near Isa and Chris. I end up at the back of the group with the two oldest hikers, Gerald and Austin. They’re identical twins and their constant jabs at each other are keeping me entertained.

And as much as I hate to admit it, being around the twins also makes me miss my own brothers. I can see how this trek would’ve been a lot more enjoyable had I brought them along.

“So, David, you keep staring at the lovely little gal with raven hair. Why don’t you go talk to her?” Gerald asks as he adjusts his worn Booey hat over his white hair. “Shoot your shot, boy.”

Austin nods his head in agreement. “You can’t go five seconds without looking in her direction. Plus, that guy who’s been on her heels all day seems like a twerp.”

“Takes one to know one,” Gerald teases.

I chuckle. “Isabella lives next door to me, and we don’t exactly get along. I’m just trying to keep an eye out since she’s traveling alone.” I shrug. “I’d want someone to do the same if my sister was traveling by herself.”

“Ahh, I see. So you’re checking her out for her own safety then?” Austin winks and he and Gerald burst into laughter.

I shake my head at their antics but my lips curve into a grin. “You two are trouble.”

“She’s a pretty girl, David,” Gerald says with a raise of his brows.

“Her looks are fine, but her personality?” I blow out a breath. “We’d drive each other to the brink of madness. We have nothing in common.”

“Opposites attract.” Austin grins, causing the wrinkles on his face to scrunch up. “Just like me and my Lale.”

“Lale is, and always was, too good for you. She probably thought she was marrying me but just couldn’t tell us apart.”

Austin slugs his brother in the arm but Gerald just laughs.