I gripped my backpack straps, feeling silly and unsure of what to say next. Of course it had been a stupid suggestion. I should have realized that as soon as I said it, but once it was out, I couldn’t take it back.

“I feel like an idiot,” I admitted.

Harrison didn’t look apologetic, he simply shook his head. “Don’t. Oliver isn’t the best communicator. I’m not surprised he’d land himself in a situation like this.”

“But I’m supposed to be the good communicator.” I tilted my head back and groaned. “This is probably the worst first impression I could possibly make.”

Harrison shrugged. “I like you so far.”

“You do?” I asked skeptically.

He’d been hanging back with me on the hike, but we’d mostly walked in silence. He wasn’t much of a talker, and I wasn’t much of a pusher. If someone wanted silence, who was I to deny them that?

“You’re relaxed. You aren’t trying to be anyone but yourself. Oliver brings around a lot of girls.” He winced as soon as he saw me cringe at his words. “Shit, forget I said that. My only point is, let’s just say I’ve seen my fair share of girls who’ve tried to fake an interest to get his attention. Pretend to be this bubbly girl that loves to snowboard or rock climb. It gets old.”

I blew out a breath. “He took me snowboarding and I pretended my wrist injury was worse than it was just to get off the mountain and stop falling on my ass.”

To my genuine shock, Harrison let out a low chuckle. “See? I like that. That’s the kind of shit I would do.”

“Well, I probably ruined it all. I’ve been acting like a weirdo all week, and now he’s up at the front talking to his dream girl.”

Harrison squinted. “Who? Elise?”

I nodded. “She’s stunning and perfect for him.” I waved my hands in the air, not even caring that I sounded insecure. “They’re about to go work at the same place all summer. It’s practically destiny.”

Harrison paused before staring up ahead. “I don’t know about all that. What I do know, is he wouldn’t stop talking about you the entire drive up here.”

“Probably about what a basket case I am.”

“Maybe a little,” he admitted, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “But it was mostly about how he needed things to stop being weird between the two of you. You’ve got him majorly stressed out. I’ve never seen him like that.”

We walked in silence for a bit before Harrison continued.

“We’ve been best friends for almost our entire lives. The way he grew up…he didn’t exactly have a lot of people in his corner.”

“I know,” I whispered. “He told me about his parents—what it was like growing up with them.”

Harrison’s eyes widened a little at that. “He never talks to anyone about his parents.” He sighed before continuing. “He might try to come across as this chill guy who doesn’t have a care in the world, but he’s the most loyal person I’ve ever met. You can always count on him when it matters. Don’t let his act fool you.”