Tasha took a sip, eyes locked on him. “So you’re heading up the Old Man again. Are you excited? This is the second time this season, right?”

He nodded, remaining silent.

She knew fully well Easton had done a run at Mount Veil at the start of the summer, escorting a small group of hikers out of Anchorage up the mountain before taking a group up Denali at the end of May and then another in June. The Denali trek was three weeks long, and most guides didn’t take a second trip up there like Easton had. The Denali money was good, and no one had expected him to go for a fourth summit that summer.

Easton hadn’t planned on it either, but River Lane had a way of messing with his plans.

Tapping her fingernails against the handle of her coffee cup, Tasha pursed her lips. “Aren’t you worried you’re pushing it? That’s a lot of high-altitude climbing in one season.”

“I’ll manage.”

Tasha chuckled. “Short, succinct answers. I really got you on the piece, huh? It wasn’t personal, Easton. You know we’re always good.”

Even as she sat across from him, a table safely between them, Easton could see the way Tasha was fidgeting in her seat. She had two modes: a hundred miles an hour or sleeping. At one point, it had seemed cute. Now, he recognized it for what it was. She was ready to pounce.

He just didn’t know if it was the verbal pouncing or the other kind.

“I’m trying to keep myself out of more trouble,” Easton replied. “And the Old Man isn’t the tallest peak in the state. I’ll be fine.”

“Do you ever get tired of taking peak baggers up there? Because if this documentary is at all successful, you’re going to get overrun with groups wanting to add our mountain to their list of conquests. Isn’t part of being a hidden gem staying hidden?”

“You think I’m trying to make an extra buck at the town’s expense.” It wasn’t a question. Tasha leaned in, voice lowered. “I think you have a family that relies on your income.”

“Ash and Dad are doing fine.” Easton frowned at her. “Tash, do you actually believe what you put in that article?”

For once, she hesitated, glancing away. “I think social outrage sells stories.”

“At my expense? At my clients’ expenses?” He wasn’t hurt. Tasha wasn’t someone Easton had let close enough to hurt him, but he was wary.

“Like I said, it’s nothing personal.” Taking his hand, Tasha squeezed his fingers. “But if I upset you, I’m sorry.”

Easton didn’t have the willpower to be mad at many people. Grumpy, yes. Mad, no. Squeezing back, he removed his hand from hers. Fingers were much safer when wrapped around a coffee cup.

“It’s fine. You’re doing your job.”

The defensiveness in her shoulders softened. “Thanks, Easton. You know how I get when I’m onto something good. And your client is the hot button story in this town right now. Famous actress on a career slide—”

At his confused look, Tasha leaned in again. “Didn’t you know? You probably didn’t watch her films, did you? The last few have been flops. Now River’s behind the camera, here. Do you think she’s trying to make a name for herself as a filmmaker? The entertainment industry is notorious for keeping women and marginalized groups from behind the camera. Is that why she took this job?”

Just because she wasn’t trying to trick him—he hoped—didn’t mean Tasha wouldn’t print anything he accidentally let slip. Easton didn’t know a thing about his client other than her name and someone in her crew liked pineapple on their pepperoni pizza. He’d been forced to smell that particular combination in the pizza box sign long enough. But Tasha would never believe that.

Taking refuge behind the NDA was the safest bet. “Nondisclosure agreement, remember?”

Tasha snickered. “You’re immovable, aren’t you? That’s why I like you. You’ve always been a challenge. Why didn’t we ever work out?”

“We weren’t that compatible.”

That was a softer version of the truth. The thing was, Tasha wasn’t loyal. She wasn’t disloyal per se, but Easton was going to die with the name of every person he’d ever cared about etched onto his heart. The names weren’t many, but they ran deep. Not falling for Tasha was the best thing Easton had ever done for himself.

“We weren’t that incompatible,” Tasha reminded him.

Well…that was true too.

Easton was saved from having to reply by the bell jingling as a new customer hustled through the door, auburn hair loose around her shoulders.

River was either oblivious to or didn’t care how many eyes drifted her way, including Easton’s own. Busy scrolling through her phone as she stood in line, River was halfway to the counter before she noticed Easton noticing her. River hopped out of line and met him at the table.

“Hey, I didn’t realize you’d be here.” The stunning redhead gave them both a warm greeting as she checked the smartwatch on her wrist. “I was going to grab something before we met up.”

Easton raised his own cup in salute. “Great minds think alike.”

“Or redundantly,” she countered playfully. Rolling her eyes, she added, “Did you see that article today in the local paper? Someone is getting a strongly worded letter. We haven’t even started to film yet, and apparently we’re the scourge of the town—”

“River.” Cutting her off midsentence, Easton looked toward his companion. “This is Tasha.”

“Oh, sorry.” River offered a hand to the other woman. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Tasha perked up immediately. “Come join us. I’d love to buy you a cup of coffee.”

Even as she scooted her chair over to make room, River’s blue eyes were narrowing. “Wait, what was your name again?”

“Be careful what you say around her,” Easton warned, only half playfully. “She’s a reporter.”

Tasha gave him a horrified look. “Tattle much?”

Easton rose and put a few dollars on the table. “You can handle yourself.” When he glanced at River, he saw her staring at Tasha with flat dislike. He hid his mirth behind his coffee cup. “You both can. A smart man leaves at this point.”

Heading for the door, Easton could hear his client’s voice, volume and tone flexing around her words as if they were living beings.

“You know what, Tasha? I’m actually really glad to run into you this morning. And yes, I’d love to chat. Number one, and this is absolutely on the record: Don’t you dare think for one second you can come after a member of my team and get away with it. Easton is officially on the payroll, so back off my people. Number two—”