“It’s none of your business,” said Charlie. “It’s a family thing. And you’re not family.”
“What’s a family thing?” said Spencer, returning from his successful climb.
“Our family dating rule,” Emily said.
“Oh, the one where it’s a date if the guy buys you something or kisses you?” Spencer asked.
“Yes. I was saying technically it would be a date even if the girl paid. Charlie doesn’t want to have that as a prize for their contest because she doesn’t want us to be able to claim she had a date with Josh.”
“But, we’ve already had a date,” said Josh. Everyone turned to stare at him, while Charlie felt her face burning. “Yes, indeed,” Josh winked at Charlie. “Saturday night, Charlie paid for our dinner.”
She glared daggers at him. He grinned, shrugging his shoulders.
“No,” Grace said. “That doesn’t count. She used Gherring’s credit card. So technically, you had a date with Steven Gherring.”
Josh waggled his eyebrows at Charlie. She closed her eyes and imagined them being on an actual mountain so she could push him off the cliff.
She fled the embarrassing scene, rushing to set up for the difficult climb. Josh came up behind her as she threaded the rope. “Stay back,” she growled.
“But we still haven’t agreed on a prize.”
“How about if I restrain myself from kicking you?”
He winced. “I’d truly appreciate that, but I had something else in mind.”
“What this time?”
“What if I promise not to tell everyone about that little kiss we shared last night if you promise to give a repeat performance tonight?”
“That sounds like blackmail to me.”
“Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
“Look Josh, those two girls that were talking to you earlier? Both of them looked like they were willing to not only kiss you, but probably jump your bones as well. You could probably go to the bar next door and find at least ten other girls to chose from. Why don’t you kiss someone who wants to kiss you?”
“Maybe I’m not attracted to those other girls.”
“Or maybe it’s because I turned you down. You just like the challenge. If I’d fallen all over you and kissed you willingly, you wouldn’t even be interested. And you’re only interested now until you can make the conquest, put another notch in your belt. Well, I got news—it ain’t happenin’! I’m not interested in being a mark on your wall, a notch on your belt, or a name in your black book.” She lowered her voice to a whisper as Spencer came to join them. “I’m not interested.”
For once, Josh appeared to be speechless. He nodded, set his lips in a grim line, and walked back to join the group on the bench. He sat down next to Emily and watched silently as Charlie started to climb.
“What do I do?” Josh asked Emily in quiet voice. “I’ve never not known what to do with a girl before.”
Emily studied him for a moment. Was he sincere? Did she really even want to help him? “First you have to decide if you’re interested in Charlie or if you just don’t like to lose.”
His sigh was audible. “Both. I don’t like losing. But there’s something about Charlie—I don’t know what it is.”
“Well, there you go,” said Emily. “When you figure out what it is, you tell her. When you can convince her you’re interested in her for who she is, you might have a chance. And frankly, I don’t think you know her well enough.”
“She’s leaving tomorrow. If I can’t get her to be at least slightly cooperative, I’ll never see her again.”
“True.”
“Should I let her win? To make her happy and put her in a good mood? I know she likes to win as much as I do. I could sacrifice myself and let her win.”
She pondered the question. How she could best be a loyal sister? “I think you should figure that out yourself.”
He watched Charlie struggle as she reached the under-hang. Her muscles were straining as she braced her legs, trying to reach as far as possible before she had to climb using only her arm strength.