“Great. I get five bucks for everyone I recruit, so tell them you’re with me—I’m Kaia.”

“And here I thought you were concerned for my safety,” Erika said with a laugh. The smile died on her lips as she entered the classroom and saw Reed among the group of search and rescue crew members leading the program. She turned to glance at Tyler, but he’d yet to notice her. Talking to him with Reed there would be weird, though it shouldn’t be. It wasn’t like they were going to act on the odd tension between them. Sure, they may have a physical chemistry, but they couldn’t be around one another five minutes without arguing.

Though the angry sex in Mr. & Mrs. Smith didn’t look all that bad... And those two were trying to kill each other.

“Actually, you know what...” She turned back toward the exit and checked her watch for effect. “I can’t stay.” She reached for Diva’s leash but the puppy tugged it in the opposite direction.

“You should.”

Reed’s voice behind her made her heart race. She forced a polite smile as she turned, and Tank’s daughter took off across the room with Diva. Fantastic. “Why’s that?” Was it possible that he got better-looking every time she saw him? Faded jeans that hugged his thighs and the black T-shirt with the search and rescue logo stretching across his chest had her mouth actually watering. Given the choice between the peppermint fudge and his pectorals, she’d be hard-pressed to make a decision.

Neither one was healthy for her.

He shook his head slowly. “No reason. Everyone should know the basics about backwoods safety, that’s all.” His blue eyes seemed to penetrate straight to her soul, and the fact that he cared about her safety had her feeling slightly faint.

“I’m not planning to venture too far from the village.”

“Are you planning to visit The Drunk Tank again?”

So he had noticed that they hadn’t come in the night before. “Cassie’s away for a few nights. I don’t usually drink alone.”

“Sit at the bar. With me,” he said.

Her pulse raced. “Oh...um...” Jesus, where was her tongue?

“Reed, all of the registered kids are here,” Tyler said, coming up to them.

Thank God for the interruption, she’d forgotten how to breathe.

“Good...okay,” Reed said, looking annoyed by the guy’s sudden presence.

“Hey, Erika, how’s your vacation going?” Tyler asked her.

“Great!” she said, cringing at the overly enthusiastic response. He was wearing the same outfit as Reed—jeans and search and rescue T-shirt—yet the sight of him didn’t have the same effect on her.

Damn.

But actually that was a good thing. That meant Tyler was safe. Someone she could spend time with while Cassie was away and then leave in two weeks without anything getting complicated. Purposely avoiding Reed’s gaze, she added, “I was serious about the heli-skiing... If you have time...” Her flirty smile was one she didn’t use often, so she prayed it didn’t make her look psychotic.