“I think that’s one thing I forgot,” she admits.
“Here.” I grab one of my spare ones, a thick emerald beanie, off the hook. I double it over before putting it on her head. I love the look of it on her, my stomach swirling at seeing her wearing my clothes. There’s something almost primal about it, like I’m making my mark on her. It’s nothing I’ve ever felt before.
“Thanks.” She smiles shyly. “So what are we doing?”
I gesture down to a large case, another telescope, before slinging it and my backpack over my shoulder. “I want to take you to one of my favorite spots out here.” That’s all I’m telling her for now.
The rest of the pack is gathered in the living room. I’m stoked to be her first date. It gives her nothing to measure our date up against. I was nervous that she wouldn’t even agree to go, and it’s all I’ve been able to think about since she said yes. I have a surprise for her, which I hope she’ll like. I don’t like surprises myself, but hopefully, Kady will appreciate the thought I’ve put into it and won’t think it’s too much.
“Have a good night.” Hale comes over to bid us goodbye. “We’ll take good care of Larry while you’re out.”
His eyes meet mine, steady and full of trust. I look past him to see Larry sprawled across Calder’s lap, purring happily. Seeing Calder’s grin, I can’t decide whether he or Larry is happier. Beyond him, Ezra stands by his cacti, his back to us. Why is he denying himself happiness by pushing her away? It doesn’t make sense.
“Ready?” I smile shakily through my nerves.
Kady nods, slipping on her boots.
“You’ll have a great time.” Hale slaps me on the back then adds under his breath, “Just be yourself.”
Outside is a contrast to the toasty house, but at least the biting wind seems to have calmed. Dusk is setting in, so it will get colder, but I packed blankets and hot cocoa, which should help keep us warm.
We don’t say anything, falling into step as I lead her up a small path through the trees by the side of the house into the forest. I keep trying to think of something to say. Calder would be able to think of a witty quip, Hale can speak to anyone about anything—always knowing the right thing to get people to open up—and Ezra can make anyone laugh, but I’m not much of atalker. Every conversation starter I come up with sounds more pathetic than the last, my thoughts starting to spiral until Kady speaks.
“This place is pretty remote, huh?”
“We own the entire property for miles around,” I tell her. “Apart from a few deer that come through, it’s pretty much deserted.”
We climb higher, coming to a trickle of a stream that we start to follow. The rocks are a little slippery, so I offer Kady my gloved hand. She looks down at it in surprise. Have I made a mistake already? I’m about to pull it away when her small hand slips through mine, filling me with relief.
We continue the trek in a comfortable silence, me knowing the walk well and Kady’s head rotating, taking in our surroundings.
“It’s so pretty here.” She pauses to look up at the leafy canopy above us. “So quiet and still.”
“I like to come here to be alone when things get too much,” I confess. “Listening to the sounds of the forest.”
“We don’t have to talk, you know.” She squeezes my hand. Does she sense my nerves? “Let’s just listen.”
We walk for another twenty minutes or so, silently enjoying nature and each other’s company. Light is fading fast, so I put on my headlamp to illuminate the path ahead before we reach our final destination. It’s a grassy clearing on an elevated plateau, looking out over Rose Harbor, which so far away, is just tiny specks of light.
“Here we are.” I motion to the area around us.
I get out a picnic blanket and smooth it down before getting out extra blankets to keep us warm. Once that’s done, Kady settles in, watching as I set up the telescope.
“Sorry, I couldn’t think of something more imaginative for a date.” It seems like every time she sees me I have a telescope in hand.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” She frowns. “This is perfect. I want to see more of your world.”
The thought cheers me up as I sit next to her and point the telescope up. My palms tingle with excitement when we see the stars stream across the sky, leaving a blazing tail behind.
“Here.” I swivel it in her direction. “Take a look.”
She scoots closer, the breeze catching on her hair, giving me a whiff of her sweet scent. I want to lean in, kiss her, but I stay rigidly still.
She points. “That’s Orion, right?”
“You remembered.”
“Of course, I did.” My heart skips a beat as her eyes crinkle in the corners.
