I nodded. “That sounds perfect. We’ll go grab some chips and drinks while you’re cooking.”

Ford studied me carefully as we headed down the cracker and chip aisle. “You’ve changed, Bell.”

I halted at his words. “Well, it has been a while.” I couldn’t help the defensiveness in my voice. The idea that he didn’t like the woman now standing before him, giving me the sudden urge to crawl into myself.

Ford grabbed my elbow, tugging me towards him so I was forced to look up into his eyes. They softened at my expression. “I just never thought my double-bacon cheeseburger girl would be ordering a vegan BLT. That should be illegal.”

The stiffness swept out of my body, and I laughed. “You don’t know what you’re missing out on by not trying new things, Ford.” And with that, I turned on my heel and headed for the kettle-cooked chips.

22

FORD

“I’m out of shape. How did I not know I was out of shape?”

Bell’s laugh caught on the breeze as she sank to a rock at the top of Mount Orcas. “That’s because you’re used to sissy LA workouts.”

I sat on the rock next to hers and gave her a mock scowl. “I’ll have you know that I spar with a professional fighter regularly.”

She smirked. “Doesn’t help you climb a mountain any better.”

I dove for her sides, tickling the spot I knew was extra sensitive. She let out a high-pitched shriek that had a couple of birds from a nearby tree taking flight. “What was that?”

“You’re a Greek god! So in shape, I could never compete with you!”

I stopped my tickling, but my hands stayed on her waist for just a moment longer as I relished the feel of the dips and curves. Bell’s breath hitched as our gazes locked—her mouth such a short distance away. All I would have to do is lean forward and—

“So, what’d you think of Caelyn’s sandwich?”

I released my hold on Bell and settled back on my rock. Shit. That was close, too close. “I told you, it was damn good.” I didn’t know what voodoo witchery the girl had, but she’d combined things I never would’ve thought of. My sandwich had prosciutto and some sort of apricot spread, along with things I didn’t even recognize. But it had tasted delicious.

“I told you to trust me.”

I met Bell’s gaze. “I do trust you.”

Her breath seemed to stutter in her chest. “Good.”