“I know this is a loaded question, and I shouldn’t ask, but how old are you?” Mac took a bite but kept his eyes on her.
“Twenty-two. And you?” April asked.
“Twenty-two also. When’s your birthday? Let me guess. It’s in April?”
She shook her head. “You would think that, but no, it’s not.”
He narrowed his eyes and looked like he was thinking hard. “Okay, is it January then?”
“January! Why did you guess that?”
He shrugged. “You know, nine months before is April, so…that’s awkward to think about.”
April laughed so hard she snorted. “You’re right. It is awkward to think about my mom getting pregnant. No, my birthday is in October.”
“Really? That’s so random.”
“I know, right? My mom just liked the name. So when is your birthday?”
April took another bite, liking this date now. “August.”
“So, coming up in a bit.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be back at school by then.”
Sadness twisted inside. “Yeah. School. I have to go back at the end of August.”
“I’m ready to graduate,” Mac said.
Meeting this guy in Fallport had been too good to be true. Reality would hit in less than two months, and neither of them would be here. “What are you going to do after?”
“I want to work for the forest service.”
“Wow, where would you be based?”
He shrugged. “I’d go wherever they send me. I’d like to do science. My degree is in botany, but I also have my firefighters certificates. I’m also applying to the Canadian Forest Service.”
“Wow, that’s wild.”
“What about you? What is your degree in?”
“Computers. I haven’t started applying for jobs. I don’t really know what I’m going to do.”
“Where do you want to live?”
She shrugged. “I haven’t thought of that either. I guess I’m unprepared for graduation.”
“You don’t have to be super prepared. If you have time to think about it, it’s not a bad thing.”
If her life was different, like if her mom was still around, would she want to live near her? Everything would have to be different, though. Her mother had been chaotic and confusing. She liked calm and quiet in her life. It was odd talking about the future with Mac. She wasn’t sure what she wanted her future to be, but something drew her to Mac. Maybe she was reading too much into the attraction. She needed to chill and just take life as it came.
CHAPTER FIVE
The door opened, and Mac glanced over, seeing four of the guys he’d gone out with the night before. They waved, and he waved back. April glanced over her shoulder and shivered. Panic flashed in her eyes when she turned back.
“Do you know them?” April asked.
He nodded. “Yeah. They’re part of the search and rescue team. They’re good guys.”
April seemed distracted, and her gaze kept darting to the area where the men sat at the bar. He wanted to probe and figure out what she was thinking, but he didn’t know her well, and she didn’t know him. He would ask one of the guys if he knew her later.
The waitress took their plates, asking if they wanted anything else.
April shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“I think we’re good. Could we have the check?”
“Together or split?” the waitress asked.
“Separate,” April said at the same time he said, “Just one.”
Their gazes slammed together, and they laughed. “I’ll pay for mine,” April said.
The waitress took off, and he put his elbows on the table and leaned in. “I wouldn’t mind paying for you.”
“Maybe later, once we know each other better.”
He nodded, appreciating her willingness to pay. “Would you like to walk around a bit?”
She checked her watch. “The sun is going down in thirty minutes. I need to get home.”
He wanted to ask what the deal was with the sun being down and her not wanting to be out, but he could figure that out later. For now, he would act like it was normal for her not to want to be out after dark.
The waitress was back with their check. April had cash, and so did he. It was easy to close out their check. He was about to stand when two of the guys came over.
“Hey, Mac, how’s it going?” Brock asked.
“Good. Brock, Cohen, this is April. She works at Grinders. April, Brock and Cohen.”
She flashed a smile but worry seemed to be edging her expression. “Nice to meet you.”
“Are you doing any hikes tomorrow?” Brock asked.
“I am,” Mac said.
“I’d like to tag along,” Brock said. “I’d like to know where you usually go for your hikes.”
Mac nodded, and a twist of excitement shot through him. He liked spending time with these guys.
“April, have you been in town long?” Brock asked.
She shook her head. “No. I’m just here for the summer.”
“You’re staying at Myrna’s place, right?”
The panic on April’s face was obvious. For a second, he thought she might run. Then she nodded, fear clearly evident in her gaze.
“My aunt is in Europe for the summer. I’m just here looking in on her house.”
Brock nodded. “I’m in the tan house around the corner if you need anything.”
She glanced up and narrowed her eyes as she stared at him. He didn’t shy away or flinch at the look. Then she nodded like he passed whatever test she’d had in her mind.
“Sure.”
Brock and Cohen headed back to their table. Mac wondered if they’d just come over to see what was up with April. Places like Fallport watched after each other. They would probably say something if they didn’t think April should be at her aunt’s house.
April didn’t seem upset, but he didn’t know her very well. He wanted to get to know her. Dating was hard. He didn’t necessarily understand the rules or that certain rules were negotiable. He wished he could plainly state his intentions and not play games. April didn’t seem like she was playing games. She hadn’t done any of the things other women had done over the years that confused the heck out of him. There was still time for her to text him flirty messages, then ignore him or call for a booty call but then clam up and act like he was in the wrong for rushing over.
“Are you working at the coffee shop tomorrow?” Mac asked.
She shook her head. “No, not tomorrow.”
“Why don’t you come on the hike with me?”
She glanced around, her gaze landing on the guys before she turned back to look at him. “I don’t know. I don’t want to intrude on your work.”
“So far, the signups are light for tomorrow. Do you have hiking boots?”
She nodded. “I should have something.”
“Okay, then it’s settled. I’ll send you the information.”
“You’ll need my phone number for that.”
His lips spread into a slow smile. Now he would have her information.