“Sorry I didn’t reach out to you then, to tell you. I wanted to. I almost did, but I didn’t know how and we weren’t...as close as we used to be. I wasn’t sure if you already knew or if you’d even want to know.”

Cassie nodded slowly. “I understand. I’m not upset—I get it.” She paused. “And you haven’t mentioned this to Reed?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

Erika released a deep sigh. “Because I didn’t want to hurt him.”

Cassie nodded. “And you’ve only cared about him for five minutes.” She paused. “I will tell him... I just need a little more time.”

* * *

REED WIPED THE steam from the bathroom mirror and examined the extent of his injuries. Bruising along his left side and several deep-looking cuts along his chest and shoulder from their dash down the mountainside...they could probably use a stitch or two, but he’d been more concerned about the others. He’d been so busy, he hadn’t even noticed any pain until the hot water had hit the open wounds.

Arriving home, he’d fallen onto his unmade bed, savoring the scent of Erika’s vanilla body lotion on his sheets as he’d passed out. Three hours’ sleep was barely enough, but he was eager to see her. He still couldn’t believe what she’d done to save that man’s life. He’d tried to think of what he would have done had she not been there, and nothing he came up with resulted in a man who would have survived.

Leaving her that morning hadn’t been by choice.

Tank had still looked nauseous when he’d left him at the hospital. This rescue had been the only time Reed had seen the guy nearly break down with relief when the group had finally come into view—safe.

Tank’s relief could have rivaled his own.

Man, he hoped his sister and his friend would smarten up and take a chance at being together. They both deserved happiness and the feelings they had for one another were obvious to everyone, including themselves.

His own feelings for Erika had shocked the hell out of him, but there was no denying they were strong. Would she be willing to try a long-distance thing when she went back to Anchorage?

Hearing his doorbell, he grabbed a towel, and a moment later opened the door to Erika. Such a sight for sore eyes. Why had he slept so long?

“Hi,” she said, looking uneasy.

“Hi... I was just getting ready to come over to Cassie’s. Everything okay?” he asked, stepping back and allowing her to enter.

Her gaze fell to his injuries and her eyes seemed to water.