Chapter 163
Devin wore a look of sheer innocence as he threw up his hands, “I only invited Skyler, man. How was I supposed to know he’d bring Grace along? Then Grace blabbed to Suzan, and next thing you know, they all show up. I swear it’s not on me this time. If you gotta blame someone, blame Skyler. Dude’s so whipped, can’t even hike without his girl.”
Curtis squinted slightly.
Devin shivered under the chill of Curtis’ gaze and hurried to clear his name, “Hey, I’m not talking about you, man. Look, you didn’t bring your wife. Plus, she’s a strong, independent type, climbs on her own without needing anyone to hold her hand…”
His voice trailed off into silence as Curtis’ stare turned frosty. Devin took to his heels heading out! If you don’t start climbing, you’ll never catch up to Leanne!”
“I’m
Hiking was a strenuous activity, not quite suited for Leanne, whose athletic prowess left. much to be desired. By the time she’d conquered the two hundred steps at the base of the mountain, she was huffing and puffing.
Joy and Selina, caught up in their competitive spirit, had already vanished ahead in an impromptu race to the summit.
Jeremy waited for her at intervals. Leanne leaned on her walking stick, catching her breath, “Go ahead, don’t wait up for me. You might miss out on the sunrise.”
“No rush,” Jeremy reassured her. “I didn’t come for the sunrise, actually.”
Leanne paused, falling silent.
Jeremy instantly regretted saying those words. To switch topics, he offered, “Let me carry your pack for you. It will lighten your load.”
“I can manage,” Leanne said, her gaze fixed on the path as she continued upward.
Devin, with his superior fitness, soon caught up with Skyler’s group. Leanne was just ahead of them.
Seeing Jeremy’s attentive care for her, Suzan commented with a smile, “Back in school, Jeremy was always such a gentleman with the girls. Some things never change, unlike Curtis with his sharp tongue.”
“Curtis’ chivalry is selective,” Grace added, then playfully chided Skyler, “Why can’t your more like Jeremy?”
be
No guy likes to hear that, especially Skyler, who had been the model boyfriend for Grace for years.
“I am looking out for you, aren’t I?”
“But you’re just not as attentive as Jeremy.”
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Devin could hardly stand Grace. His attitude toward her differed from his earlier impression of Leanne.
He once thought of Leanne as a pretty but useless woman, one his brother didn’t like but had to keep around-though he no longer saw her that way.
As for Grace, it was the classic tale of a buddy falling hard for a girl, blind to anything else. Devin had tried to talk some sense into Skyler countless times, to no avail. In the end, not only did his friend fail to see reason, but he also ended up winning the girl over. How
could Devin not feel frustrated?,
Sniping from behind, Devin remarked, “Need someone to wait on you hand and foot even on a hike? Should we arrange a sedan chair to carry you up?”
Grace’s face flushed with embarrassment, but Skyler defended her, “What’s with the attitude? If you’re in such a hurry, just go ahead.”
Leanne stopped to let them pass, “You guys go first.”
“No, it’s okay. We’re not in a rush. Let’s just take it slow together,” Grace insisted.
Leanne pulled out her water bottle for a drink, “You’re too noisy, it’s annoying.”
Skyler and Grace moved on, and as Suzan passed by, she looked back, “Where’s Curtis? Shouldn’t he be up by now?”
“He’s ahead,” Devin said.
Suzan looked up skeptically, “When did he get there?”
“He went up early. Didn’t you see him?”
Suzan walked on, still doubtful.
Devin grinned at Leanne, who was standing by the trailside, “I’m smart, huh?”
Leanne looked at him expressionlessly.
Devin’s smile faded.
As Skyler’s group moved on, Devin lagged behind, slowly tailing Leanne and Jeremy like a
snail.
At a steep turn where a large rock jutted out, Jeremy stepped up and turned to offer al hand to Leanne, only to find Devin behind him.
Devin grabbed Jeremy’s hand to hoist himself up, his face lighting up with feigned gratitude, “Jeremy, you’re a true gentleman.”
Jeremy’s brow twitched.
The rock was a bit high for Leanne. She placed her left foot on it, and as Jeremy let go of Devin, ready to assist her, a strong, reassuring hand gently settled on her waist, lifting her
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Chapter 163
up with ease.
Leanne turned to find Curtis, who had silently caught up to them.
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