Page 32 of Finding Happily Ever After
“No!” Natalie, face flaming red with embarrassment, jumped up.
“I’m kidding, Nat.” Jeremy held up a hand. “It’s fine. I’m teasing.”
She sat down in her seat and glared in Jason’s direction before turning her attention back to the report she was trying to finish up.
“Sorry, Nat.” Jeremy slapped the table. “Didn’t mean to distract you from your work. We’ll leave you alone. Right, Jason?”
For a minute, Jason looked as though he wanted to argue with him, but he swallowed and stood. He flipped the chair around and shoved it under the table a little too hard. “Sorry, Nat.”
She looked up at him in question.
“Next time, I’ll…” He gave her a look that reminded Natalie of a chastised little boy. “Get his name.” He shoved the chair again, hard, so it rattled the table and he walked away.
Natalie looked to Jeremy, who shook his head and chuckled. “I’ll talk to him,” he said. “I think he’s just a little…”
“What?”
Jeremy shook his head. “I think he’s just a bit jealous, Nat. I probably shouldn’t say anything, but I don’t think he likes the attention Aiden is giving you. He’ll get over it.”
Jealous? Jason?
She tried not to let her surprise show on her face, but clearly failed.
“You didn’t notice that he might have a crush on you?”
She shook her head. “Not even a little. He does?”
Jeremy shrugged. “I don’t know for sure, but…” His gaze crossed the room to where Jason had disappeared to and he nodded. “But I think so. Don’t worry,” he added quickly. “I don’t think it’s serious or anything. Like I said, he’ll get over it if you’re not interested.”
Her face heated. She liked Jason; he was a nice guy, but…he was her friend. She hadn’t even considered him that way. Of course, up until Aiden, Nat hadn’t considered any man that way. She silently cursed herself. She was so bad at the whole dating thing. And she certainly didn’t want to make Jason feel bad because she was so completely oblivious.
“Like I said, Natalie, I wouldn’t worry about it. He’s just…” Jeremy’s face changed. “Wait. Has he been…has he crossed the line in any way? Because if he has, I want you to know as the new chief, it’s my job to make sure that you feel safe at—”
“No!” She held up her hands. “No,” she said again. “It’s not like that. Not at all. Jason has been nothing but a friend. It’s just that I…don’t worry.” She smiled as the tension seemed to slip out of Jeremy. “Like I said, I had no idea because I’m completely oblivious to this type of thing.” Natalie laughed. “And I just don’t think of him like that at all.”
“Okay,” Jeremy said. “If you’re sure then.”
“I am. I promise. Jason’s a good friend, and he’s never been anything but great. Well, except for eating my honey buns.” They laughed and the tension of the moment was gone completely.
“Before I forget,” Jeremy said. “The wilderness emergency kits you requested are in. And the tools for the first-aid training. I think it’s a great idea, by the way.”
The warm rush of satisfaction flowed through her. She hadn’t been sure how it would be received when she took the idea of wilderness first-aid emergency training to Jeremy, but he’d been supportive right away. And had even offered to get her the supplies.
“In fact, I can’t believe we haven’t offered anything like it in the past,” Jeremy continued. “I mean, consider where we live, right? I think it’s excellent that you’ve decided to get involved with youth and the high school the way you have.”
Wait. No.
She hadn’t said she would lead anything. Especially if it involved going to the high school regularly. It was just the one class. Aiden’s class.
“Oh, Jeremy.” Natalie held up her hands to fend off his ideas before they went too far. “I don’t know if I was going to—”
“Maybe more of a club than a class?”
“A club?”
Jeremy slapped his hand on the table and stood to leave. “Yes. This feels like a good plan and absolutely perfect for Glacier Falls. Thank you for heading this up, Nat. It’s a really great way to get involved.” He closed his eyes for a moment and nodded quickly to himself. “You know, I’m pretty good friends with Katie Banks. She owns the Hub.”
“I know her.”
