“We have regulations in place that prevent favoritism.”
“Can’t you still tell me her chances?”
“Honestly? They’re not good.” Ranger X shot me an apologetic gaze. “You asked for honesty, and I gave it to you. Rangers are usually not women because some of the tasks are physically too difficult. There are biological differences between us. This is not a judgment on either side, it is merely a fact.”
He continued, watching my reaction. “Lily, you have to understand that if I have two people equal in all things—intelligence, professionalism, and every other mental front—then I will take into account how fast the person can run. How much weight they can lift. How quickly they can make the decision to save a life or end one.”
As he paused, my breath came in short bursts. The intensity with which he spoke rubbed off on me. For a moment, I forgot it was Zin who wanted the position, not me. “And you’ll pick the person who can run faster any day,” I said. “I’ve heard this argument before. If you’re trapped in a burning building, you want to make sure the person on the outside can save you.”
X shook his head. “No.”
“No?”
“No, I don’t think about myself in that way.” He stepped closer to me, his spicy, winterfresh breath tickling my neck as he brushed a stray piece of hair off my collar bone. “I think about you.”
My breath hitched, the patch of skin burning where he’d touched me, tendrils of heat radiating to all limbs of my body.
“When I decide to make someone a Ranger, I do it because I trust them with the lives of those most precious to me.” The weight of his words fell heavy in the room. “I would never accept a Ranger into the program who I couldn’t trust one hundred percent to save you, should you need saving.”
I licked my dry lips, my gaze falling to the floor. “But—”
“No. That is final, and it is my absolute decision that can never be changed,” Ranger X said sternly. Then he pulled me closer to him, his hands circling my lower back. He pressed a light kiss to the top of my head. “You can never change my belief on that.”
I rested my head on his chest. “But it’ll break Zin’s spirit if she can’t get in.”
“I didn’t say it’s impossible, I just said that I choose the best person for the job.” Ranger X stroked my hair. Somehow all of the awkwardness had faded between us, and everything felt natural again. As I leaned into his chest, his breath tickled my skin and his hands soothed my worries away. “My advice to Zin is simple. Be the best.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Yes, of course,” he said. “I never said it would be easy.”
“How can I help her train?”
X gave a half sort of smile. “Convince her to listen to your grandmother.”
I pointed to myself. “My grandmother? Hettie? The Hettie who was just hiding in the trophy room?”
“The one and only.”
I gave him a skeptical look. “You’re pulling my leg.”
“I’m dead serious.” Ranger X let out a low laugh. “In fact, I’m more scared of her than anyone else on this island.”
Chapter 10
“What are you guys doing for dinner tonight?” I asked. After waving goodbye to blue-eyed Elle, Poppy led me, Zin, and Hettie out of the building. “Anyone want to grab a bite to eat? I’m never off work at this time. The only date I’ve had in the last few weeks is Gus, and he’s not particularly chatty.”
“We’re your second choice?” Hettie turned to me. “I’m not being your sloppy seconds. You should choose your family over Gus.”
“It’s a work date! I was kidding. Usually we just eat dinner as I read and memorize more herbs.”
Hettie wrinkled her nose. “You need to get out more, child. Else you’ll never find a man.”
“Good thing I’m not looking for one,” I grumbled. “What about you two? Any plans?”
Zin wrinkled her nose. “My mom is running some committee or another tonight, so I have to watch the rascals.”
“I would normally love to go,” Poppy said. “But my mom’s on a date with your mentor, and she asked me to feed her guinea pig.”
“Her guinea pig is fat enough,” Zin said. “His name is Chunk for crying out loud.”
“You’re just mad because you transformed into a hamster last week and I made you race Chunk,” Poppy said. “And you lost.”
“He had like, three pounds on me!” Zin crossed her arms, her eyes blazing. “You know I can’t help my size.”