teasingly, coming to my defense. “Why’d you do that?”
I finally meet Ethan’s eyes, surprised to see that the hatred I expected to find is absent. When our gazes meet, his expression softens, almost like he’s pleased. For once!
“He was scared I’d be too good with a hammer,” I answer for him, aiming a private smile his way. “Didn’t want me intimidating the rest of the crew.”
There’s more laughter while Ethan raises his brow, making my stomach dip. That haughty, teasing expression paired with his ruggedly chiseled features makes me feel no steadier on my feet than Camille. Soon, I’ll need to ask to lean on his other arm.
Isla claps her hands, drawing everyone’s attention to her.
“Well, now that everyone knows everyone…Ethan, would you mind telling us where we should put our stuff? I want to freshen up before dinner.”
Freshen up?
She looks adorable in her jean shorts and light blue blouse. I’m the one who needs to freshen up, and by freshen up, I mean scrub off the ten layers of dirt caked on my body.
“I told you there is no place to freshen up,” Ethan says sharply. “That’s why I had Brody and Jace bring their tents. You guys are camping.”
I speak up quickly, wanting to be helpful. “You’re welcome to use our cabin. It won’t fit everyone, but—”
“No,” Ethan says, cutting me off.
He probably doesn’t want them sleeping on his bed, but he’ll have to get over it.
“I washed the bedding today so at least two people can sleep in there, maybe more…” I cast a quick glance to Jace and Alice. If they’re going to stay fused like that all night, they could easily share one bunk.
“Perfect!” Isla says, grinning. “I’ll stay in the cabin with Taylor, and—”
I shake my head. “Oh no!” I realize I’m protesting too vehemently and drawing curious stares. My tone softens as I continue, “I’d just rather someone else have my bunk.”
“Great. I’ll take it,” Camille says quickly, sounding very relieved to be escaping a night spent in a pitched tent.
Isla’s smile fades momentarily, but then she’s back to playing hostess again. “Well, that works out. Taylor, Camille, and I will stay in the cabin. Everyone else will camp.”
I don’t know why she’s trying to include me here. Now that introductions are complete, I should be hurrying away to grab my things. I still need to strip a bed in one of the bunkhouses and wash the sheets. I’d rather not be doing laundry in the middle of the night.
The group splits apart as the couples and Tanner go to grab their tents so they can set them up in the clearing by the fire pit. Ethan tries to step away from Camille, having forgotten his oh-so-important duty as her crutch, but she emits a little helpless whine, like a small pampered pet.
Isla groans and stomps over to grab Camille’s other arm, throwing it over her shoulder like she’s a wounded soldier. “There, now, lean on me. As soon as we get to the cabin, you’re taking off those shoes.”
Not exactly in a position to protest, Camille gives in and allows Isla to lead her away.
I’m left standing a few yards from Ethan, suppressing the ridiculous urge I have to apologize for encroaching on his weekend.
“You were so eager to give up your bunk, now you don’t have anywhere to sleep,” he says with a deep frown.
I force an unaffected shrug. “It doesn’t matter. I know you just want me out of your hair for the weekend. I promise I’ll make myself scarce.”
“That’s not…or rather, I don’t—”
Isla comes up then and hooks her elbow through mine, cutting him off. “Let’s go, Taylor! I have a dress I brought that you’d look amazing in. You’ll have to try it on just to humor me.”
I shake my head, trying to come up with a polite way to tell her to leave me alone, but it’s no use. Ethan’s sister is a force of nature. She drags me all the way to the cabin even as I offer up protests about this weekend, telling her it makes more sense if I hang out by myself, insisting I really don’t want to intrude or make anyone feel awkward.
Camille stays perfectly silent, probably hoping I’ll make good on my promise to disappear. Meanwhile, Isla acts as though she hasn’t heard a single word I’ve said. She just keeps dragging us along like two pieces of luggage she’s hauling through an airport.