“All but one.” Taylor held out his arm and pointed to the tattoo that read Diane.

“Why not that one?”

Taylor stood up. “That’s more than twenty.”

He held out his hand to help me up. I pulled on him and then brushed off my pants.

“I don’t think so, but we should head back if you want to see other touristy stuff.”

He looked around and then shook his head. “No. I’m good with just hiking this trail. Unless you’re hungry or something?”

I looked at Taylor. He was a little too sweet, somewhat courteous, and even thoughtful at times, all safely hidden away behind his smart mouth and his tough tattooed exterior.

He cocked his head. “What?”

“Nothing. You’re just … not what I thought … I think.”

“Great. Now, you’re in love with me. I’ll never get rid of you.”

My nose wrinkled. “I am definitely not and never will be.”

“Promise?” he asked, smug.

“Yes, and unlike you, I keep my promises.”

“Good. Makes things a lot less complicated now that you’ve been friend-zoned.” He playfully pushed me forward, and I pushed him back. “Onward.”

We were almost back to the truck as the sun disappeared behind the mountains. The temperature had dropped from sweltering to refreshing, and the sweat that had beaded on my skin was cooling in the light evening breeze.

Somewhere ahead, music was floating in the air, and smells of food tipped off a party.

“Oh,” I said, “the fund-raiser is tonight.”

“Here?” Taylor said.

“Every year. For the …” I scanned Taylor from head to toe. “It’s the Heroes Gala, raising money for the families of fallen firefighters.”

A look of appreciation came over Taylor’s face. “That’s kind of cool.”

Just when the lights and people came into view, I froze. “Shit … shit.”

“What?”

“My parents are there. They attend it every year.”

“So, we’ll go around it.”

“It’s dark,” I sighed. “We should stay on the trail. People get lost out here.”

He grabbed my hand. “We’ll hurry past it. My truck’s just beyond that boulder.”

I nodded, and we rushed toward an enormous white tent with hanging lights, the sound of a generator mixing with excited chatter and laughter.

We had nearly made it when I heard William’s voice calling my name. I closed my eyes and felt Taylor squeezing my hand.

“Falyn?” William said again.

We turned, and when William recognized Taylor and then saw our hands, he puffed out his chest, already preparing to lose his temper. Blaire joined us, the swishing of her long gown coming to a halt once she took her husband’s arm. The expression on her face was familiar, one I had begun to relish.

“Falyn, dear, what are you doing here?” she asked.

“It’s a public place,” I said, angry.