Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 27

Randal's eyes were as dark as ink. His Adam's apple bobbed as a low chuckle escaped him. "Still so sensitive."

"But don't flatter yourself. I lost interest a long time ago." He released his grip and pulled back, putting some distance between them. The heat completely vanished from his gaze, leaving behind nothing but pure ice. "You don't have what it takes to make me lose my mind over you again."

With that, he turned sharply and slipped out of the tent.

The zipper was quietly pulled shut once more.

The next morning, Willa was woken up by Zack.

"Willa, are you up?" his voice called from outside the canvas. "Louis and the others want to hike up to the peak to catch the sunrise over the clouds. Do you want to go? If you're too tired, I can stay down here at camp with you."

She sat up, her head spinning slightly and a gross, clammy sheen of sweat clinging to her skin. But she didn't want to ruin the trip for him, so she replied, "I'll go. Just give me a second to get ready."

Willa quickly freshened up and unzipped the tent.

The morning light was soft, and the mountain air was incredibly crisp and cold. In the center of the camp, the ashes from last night's fire had already been cleared away.

Two simple plates of breakfast sat on the small folding table nearby.

Zack had his back to her, crouching by a portable camp stove and watching a small, bubbling pot.

Hearing her approach, he turned around with a bright, clean smile. "You're up! Come here, eat while it's hot."

He stood and carried the small pot over. "I made some warm honey tea to soothe your throat, just in case the cold air got to you."

At that moment, Randal and Miles walked out of the larger tent.

Miles was grumbling as he walked. "Man, if you want to wake up at the crack of dawn, leave me out of it. I wanted to sleep in."

Randal looked up, shooting a blank, dead-eyed stare at Willa before heading toward the SUV.

Hoping to smooth over the tension from the night before, Louis walked up to invite Miles. "Hey Miles, we're heading up to the peak in a bit. You and Randal want to come? The view from the top is supposed to be insane."

The smile faded from Zack's face, his fingers trembling slightly.

Randal, however, smirked in deep satisfaction. He turned on his heel, walked over to an empty patch of grass, and pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

His nicotine habit had gotten drastically worse lately.

Miles dragged his feet over to him, muttering under his breath. "Bro, what the hell is wrong with you? We barely slept last night, and now you want to go hike up a mountain? Are you a masochist or something?"

Randal blew out a long plume of smoke, ignoring him completely, though the fingers holding his cigarette twitched slightly.

The group packed up their gear and hit the trail winding up the back of the campsite, heading straight for the summit.

Once they reached a flat stretch of the path, Zack pulled a thermos from the side pocket of his backpack. He unscrewed the cap and handed it to Willa. "Drink some water."

Willa blinked in surprise. She took the thermos, giving Zack a gentle smile, and quietly thanked him.