Chapter 166


    Chapter 166


    After Leanne walked away, she immediately regretted it.


    It wasn’t for any particr reason except that she’d forgotten to ask Curtis for her backpack.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Joy and Selina were squatting by the curb, munching on gran bars and cing bets.


    Joy was full of the kind of confidence thates from thinking you’ve got the world figured out, “Wanna


    bet? Her ankle’s not even sprained.”


    Selina was fidgety, “How can you tell whether she’s really hurt


    t or not?”


    “It’s a piece of cake!” Joy boasted. “When we get back, just sneak up behind her and give her a scare.


    If she jumps, she’s fine.”


    Selina sighed and handed over the rest of the goodies from her backpack: Snickers, chocte, beef


    jerky, some PB&J sandwiches everything spilling out like a jackpot. “You win, okay? Happy now?”


    “Conceding already? You’re no fun,” Joyined as she stuffed half of the loot into her own bag


    and handed the rest to Leanne. “Here, take it! I’m unbeatable in the betting


    world.”


    Leanne, already holding a hiking stick and a first-aid kit, struggled to embrace the unexpected bounty.


    After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to head back.


    She was worried that Curtis might have taken her backpack down the mountain. She


    needed it.


    Selina looked at her with puppy-dog eyes, “Leanne, how could you stoop to her level?”


    Leanne shot back over her shoulder, “Because you lost, that’s why.”


    Suzan’s ankle was fine. Maybe she just wanted to y the damsel in distress with Curtis, but Leanne


    didn’t feel like calling her out on it.


    As Leanne walked on, she ran into Curtising her way.


    Curtis raised an eyebrow at her armful of snacks, “Did you rob a squirrel’s stash or what?”


    …If only squirrels had such eclectic tastes.


    “Just give me my backpack,” Leanne demanded.


    Instead of handing it over, Curtis unzipped it and started transferring her snacks inside. Then he


    nced at her slender hands, asking, “Where are your gloves?”


    “They got dirty,” Leanne responded.


    11.30


    Chapter 166


    While cleaning Suzan’s wound earlier, some antiseptic mixed with blood had stained her gloves.


    Curtis, however, thought she didn’t want to touch her gloves after they’d been near Suzan’s ankle. His


    expression turnedplicated-a mix of regret and guilt.


    Without a word, he took off his own gloves and approached Leanne.


    She tried to pull away, but he firmly pulled her hands back and slipped his gloves onto hers. They were


    warm and insted, still holding the heat from his hands.


    His gloves were muchrger than her hands. Curtis tightened the Velcro at the wrists before letting go.


    dy to tea


    Leanne pinched the Velcro, it off, but Curtis drawled, “Go ahead. But if you do, I’ll toss your bag down


    the mountain.”


    Leanne froze; her camera was in that bag.


    Curtis’ lips curved slightly, “Come on, let’s get moving, or we’ll only catch the sunset from up top.”


    Leanne said, “Shouldn’t you be helping Suzan back down?”


    Curtis’ step faltered, and he turned to face her, his gaze indecipherable, “Why should I do that?”


    Leanne kept a poker face, “You know the reason.”


    “I don’t know,” Curtis insisted, locking eyes with her. “Just tell me.”


    She didn’t want his exnations. Curtis was frustrated with his past foolishness and at a loss with her.


    He hoped she’d speak up, giving him a chance to clear things up.


    But Leanne wasn’t about to give him that chance.


    At that moment, Skyler and the others caught up, minus Suzan and Devin.


    Leanne turned and continued marching forward.


    –


    As Jeremy moved to walk next to her, Curtis felt an odd sensation in his chest as if it had been filled


    with cotton. It wasn’t severe, but it was enough to make him feel choked


    and uneasy.


    They reached a fork in the path, and the two leading the way stopped.