“That wasn’t my fault. Someone had turned the sign around.”
Eric went on. “What about the first time we climbed Mount Bierstadt together? You were like, ‘Follow me. This is the way.’ We ended up on the summit of Mount Spaulding instead.”
Chaska laughed. “Wow, buddy. Really? You climbed the wrong mountain?”
His reaction made Vic laugh. “How did you do that?”
Austin met Vic’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “It’s easier than you think.”
But Eric wasn’t finished. “How about thesecondtime we went to climb Mount Bierstadt and ended up on the summit of Mount Evans? That was fun.”
Lexi was into it now. “There was also the time you took me to that bridal store in Denver. We drove in circles for twenty minutes trying to find the place because you’d taken a wrong turn.”
Austin chuckled. “Okay, okay! I’ll get gas. But I never get lost inmymountains.”
“Okay, that’s true,” Eric said. “I’ll give you that much.”
Austin pulled over at a gas station on the edge of town. Everyone else seemed to be leaving, too, the pumps crowded with vehicles.
Vic decided to take advantage of the chance to buy a few things—water, lip balm, more sunscreen. “Does anyone want anything?”
“I’ll come with you,” Lexi said.
They climbed out of the SUV and walked through the late afternoon heat toward the convenience store. Inside, they found a long line at the cash register.
Vic tossed the things she wanted into a basket and went to stand with Lexi in line.
Lexi’s basket was full—graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows, water, mosquito repellant. “I got stuff to make s’mores. We can’t camp without s’mores.”
“Camp without s’mores? No way.” Vic loved s’mores. “I haven’t had those since I was a kid. I feel like I’m at summer camp.”
“I hope you’re having a good—”
“You’re that chick from the website, right?” A man’s voice cut Lexi off. “Hey, I’m talking to you.”
Oh, God.
Panic sent Vic’s heart racing, her worst fear coming to life.
“Ignore him,” Lexi said, loud enough that he heard.
“I’m not talking to you, little red, though you’re fine, too. I’m talking to your friend there.” The man leaned down and lowered his voice. “You’ve got the sweetest tits, and one fine ass. How much?”
“Back off, jerk!” Vic whirled on him, found herself facing six feet of leering asshole—plus a friend.
“Who is she?” the friend asked, his gaze moving over her.
“She’s that chick from online I showed you—the call girl.”
“I amnota call girl.” She whispered the words, sure that people had overheard him and were now watching.
Lexi took Vic’s arm. “Come on. We can buy this stuff somewhere else.”
Vic followed Lexi toward the door, the two of them setting their shopping baskets down on the end of the counter as they passed.
“I’m so sorry, Lexi.”
Lexi pushed open the door. “It’s not your fault.”