Bryce pushed open his door. “Wait here.”
Beth frowned as he stepped out, circled the car, and opened her door. “What are you—”
“Come on.” He grabbed a bag from the trunk, slung it over his shoulder, and took her hand.
Beth let him lead her up the road, glancing around in confusion—until she recognized where they were. Her lips parted in delight.
“Helen Hunt Falls!” She beamed up at him. “We used to come here when I was little. Lynn and I always ended up having snowball fights.”
Bryce’s grin turned boyish. “Want to hike to the top and have a picnic?”
“Sounds perfect.” Beth hesitated, then smirked. “If you’re sure you can make it. I know you’re… old…er.”
Bryce froze mid-step, his jaw dropping. “Old? I’M THIRTY-FIVE!”
Beth burst into laughter and took off running across the small bridge over the waterfall.
Bryce shook his head, muttering something about “disrespectful wives” as he followed at a more measured pace.
Beth stopped at the first overlook where the trail bent toward the ridge. Wind stirred the trees around her, and as shetook in the view, she tried to breathe deeply. The car ride had been relaxing, but now her nerves were back.
Moments later, Bryce’s footsteps crunched up the trail behind her.
“There you are,” he said softly, not out of breath in the slightest.
Beth glanced at him, suddenly embarrassed for sprinting ahead like that. Unsure how to be playful with the man she found herself married to, she blurted, “I wasn’t hiding. Just… uh, waiting.”
His brow quirked. “You okay?”
She shrugged, wondering if he could see her heartbeat in her neck. It felt like it was thudding hard enough to be visible. She adjusted her hair to cover it, just in case.
“Yep. I love this trail. It’s so beautiful up here.”
He stepped beside her, crowding her space but not touching—and looked out at the mountains and waterfalls.
“Yeah. It is.” A beat passed. Then Bryce tilted his head slightly, studying her. “Thanks for coming with me.”
Beth didn’t meet his gaze. She just gave a small shrug instead. Then, in a quiet voice “I almost texted you this morning to cancel.”
“Why didn’t you?”
She hesitated, wanting to answer honestly but suddenly caring that he’d think she was pathetic.
“I don’t know. I guess… I didn’t want to miss my chance at a real first date. I’ve never actually been on one. And now that I’m married, it sorta felt like… this might be my only chance.”
Bryce didn’t laugh. Didn’t tease. He just nodded. Then, gently, he reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear.
Beth stiffened—not because she didn’t want his touch, but because she did. This was all so new to her, and it felt like she wanted it more than she should. She finally looked at him—and realized just how close they were.
Her breath caught. His face was inches from hers, eyes steady, watching her.
The chill in the air was replaced by the heat radiating off him.
Her gaze dipped—just briefly—to his lips.
Bryce didn’t move. But she didn’t either.
How do you initiate a kiss?Beth wondered and finally understood why her one and only kiss had felt so awkward. Even though she wasn’t sure how to kiss him, she wanted to.
