Wild is the Witch (34)

Pike looks at me then. “How do you feel about it?” His tone is kind, like he really wants to know, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

“I’m thrilled. I adore Sarah, and she makes my mom happier than I’ve seen her in a very long time.”

“I don’t know how she couldn’t, given all her amazing food.”

“I know, and that’s just a bonus. She’s wonderful, and I can’t wait until she moves in. She’s a light to have around.”

“She seems that way, from the few times I’ve met her.”

The comment makes me happy, knowing Pike has noticed that in her as well. He notices more than he lets on, he’s more thoughtful than he lets on, and I wonder why he tries to hide those things, why hiding so often feels like the only option.

Pike gets back to organizing his stuff, and I realize that I just shared something personal with him, something that makes me exceedingly happy, and he could have ruined the moment with one of his sarcastic comments or deflecting jokes, but he didn’t. He celebrated it with me, and that feels big for us. Important, somehow.

“I’ll get packed up,” I say, turning back toward my tent.

“Want some help?”

“Oh, sure,” I say.

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

“I don’t think you’ve ever once offered to help me at the refuge,” I point out.

“That’s different. At the refuge, we’re adversaries. It wouldn’t make sense to help you. But here, we’re allies working toward the same goal.”

“I can’t believe you just used the words adversaries and allies to describe us,” I say, pulling my pack out of my tent.

“Really? I feel like those are both words I’d readily use.”

“I mean, they are. I guess I’m still just shocked that you’re like this.”

He laughs at that, and an odd sensation comes to life in my stomach, like I’m proud to have made him laugh. I dismiss the thought and continue clearing out the rest of my things.

Pike gets started taking down my tent while I pack up, and once we check the site to make sure we haven’t left anything behind, we begin our hike back down to the car. When we’re almost to the trailhead, I stop for some water. Pike fishes his phone out of his pack and turns it on, and it dings several times in a row.

“Back in service,” Pike says, looking at the screen. Then his facial expression changes, and he looks worried.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just… Oh man, I feel terrible. I had a date last night and totally forgot. She texted me a bunch and called twice.”

I’ve always assumed that Pike dates, but hearing it unsettles me. I take a sip of water and try to look natural. Disinterested.

“Your girlfriend?” I ask. I have no idea if Pike has a girlfriend or not, and the question is out of my mouth before I think better of it.

He pauses his typing and looks up at me, his mouth quirking to one side. “Are you asking if I’m taken, Iris?”

“No. Why would I care?”

“I don’t know, you tell me,” Pike says, enjoying himself too much. His thumbs hover over his keyboard, but he doesn’t resume typing.

“I’m just making friendly conversation,” I say. I take one more drink of water, then begin descending again, annoyed at Pike for not answering and annoyed at myself for caring.

“Well, as a friend, why don’t you date?”

“What makes you think I don’t?” I ask, bothered by his assumption even though he’s right.

“Do you?”

I pause. “No.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know. I just…don’t think I’d be good at it.” My voice gets quiet, and I hope he doesn’t notice. I’m glad that he’s behind me, that he can’t see my face. “I’m not like you. I can’t just sit down with a random person and find something to talk about. It takes me a while to get comfortable with someone.”

“You’re doing just fine with me,” he says.

“I’m not trying to impress you,” I counter.

Pike stops walking, and I turn around. “That’s your problem right there.”

“What is?” I ask, exasperated, ready to move on from the subject.

“You shouldn’t be trying to impress anyone. It should be the other way around.”

“Coming from the person who says I don’t have people skills,” I remind him.

“I’m being serious. You’re smart and talented and one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. And you’re best friends with a wolf, which is pretty badass.” He pauses. “You don’t need to try.”

I laugh and roll my eyes, but he watches me in a way that makes me stop and listen.

“You’re the one to impress, Iris.” He says the words slowly, clearly, as if he wants me to repeat them back to him, as if it’s imperative that I understand.

I look down, unsure of how to respond. “Well, if I decide to grace the dating pool with my presence, I’ll keep that in mind.” I say it like a joke, but I mean it. I’ll remember what he said.

When we get back to the car, Pike lifts the hatch and starts loading our gear while I pull up the maps. I sit on the hood, looking at my screen, and he comes and sits next to me.