“Northern Loop,” she said, reading the thin line of pencil. “Cherry Blossom,” she added, taking in another trailhead. “Jackpot.”
She tried to line up the trails with what she knew of the town. It was still country out that way, and forest. There was elevation too. But it was all public land still.
Her pulse quickened. Could this map lead her to the Moonlight Kisses? There was only one way to find out.
Zoe pulled out her phone, snapped a picture of the map for Jackson, and grinned as her fingers flew.
Look what I just found. A vintage map of Maple Falls. It shows those two old trails mentioned by Mrs. C. Cherry Blossom Trail and the Northern Loop.
You ever just… relax?
Not when there’s adventure to be had.
You could find adventure in a grocery list.
I don’t do lists. That’s your department, Sergeant Tidy. I bet your grocery lists are color coded.
You know me. The only chaos I like is you.
Zoe tried to ignore the way her pulse fluttered as she replied.
Aren’t you being cute.
Are you saying you like it?
She hesitated, thumb hovering over her screen. Her brain said to play it safe, but her body still remembered the press of his lips that afternoon. Her mouth tingled at the memory, like his kiss had left a spark she couldn’t shake.
More than I should.
There was a beat of silence before his reply came through.
Dangerous thing to admit, Flower Girl.
She could almost hear him saying that, low and rough, that half smile curving his lips.
Until tomorrow then?
Zoe paused. She wished she didn’t have to wait to see him until their date tomorrow night. She longed to invite him over right then and there. But she was smarter. Measured. Because this game was new. It couldn’t be rushed. And she wanted to enjoy it, whateveritwas.
Until tomorrow. I can show you the map after our date.
Nothing I’d like to see more.
Zoe bit her lip, heat pooling low in her belly. She set her phone down, but it was no use. Every word lingered like a touch.
Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.
FOURTEEN
JACKSON
Tuesday, March 11th
The evening turned out warmer than Jackson had expected. The sun was setting down Oak Way, painting the eastern storefronts in shades of rose and gold. A few couples strolled down the sidewalks, walking hand in hand, but it was mostly quiet as the nine-to-five shops closed and people headed down the square to the Kettle. Part restaurant, part pub, and entirely Maple Falls, the Kettle was where everyone ended up at the end of the day, whether for a slice of wood fired pizza, a craft beer from the local brewery, or the easy comfort of familiar company.
Jackson adjusted the small white box in his hand as he walked. The streetlamps were just beginning to glow, and he had to admit that he felt completely out of his element. The box of chocolates might as well have been a live grenade.
Flowers were out of the question. What kind of man brought a florist flowers? But Cassidy had stepped in, declaring she knew exactly what Zoe liked best.
