“Hey, if you have nothing planned, we can always go climbing,” Seth suggests, sounding far too eager.
I point a mustard-coated finger at him. “We arenotdoing that.”
“Why not?”
I shake my head. “Just no.”
Climbing is all I hear about now. That, or some other adrenaline-fueled endeavor. When they aren’t working, they’re at the gym, paragliding, or hitting the trails on their bikes. Or worse, running. Like, who the fuck does that? Who runs for the fun of it?
I swear, they think exercise is the perfect date.
“I can reserve us some slots—” Seth tries again, but I cut him off.
“Nope! Don’t even try it.”
He laughs. “What do you have against climbing, anyway?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Something about falling from fifty feet up?”
Piper snorts. “It’s not that bad. I’ve gone with them. You’re hooked up to ropes and stuff. Totally safe. Plus, the coaches are all super sweet. You would like them.” Her eyes glint a little as she slants her head. “Actually, you know what, I think you might hit it off with one of them.
Declan’s brows pop up. “Who?”
“Holden.”
Declan considers it. “Yeah, I can see it.”
“We’renotclimbing,” I say firmly. Knowing they want to set me up with a coach makes the decision final. I’ll never go there. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Okay. But it’s only a week away. You better plan fast.”
“Quinn and Ian are going to be here too,” Seth adds. “So count them in.”
“They are?”
“Yeah, they’re coming for a quick visit before Ian starts his next project.”
I inwardly groan.Great.Even more people to be around. I like the guys. I really do. But every person I’m expected to socialize with is another drain in my already low well.
“How are they liking their new jobs?” Piper asks.
“Oh, they’re loving it. Quinn is helping with the administrative side of the non-profit while he goes to school, and Ian is happy doing the hands-on stuff. Killing it too. You should see some of his latest projects.”
“I have. I follow him on Insta. They seem so happy together. Like, seriously so cute.”
Seth rolls his eyes. “Please don’t feed their egos. I really don’t like to think about it.” He perks up. “Oh! I forgot to tell you. I bought marshmallows this morning when I went to the store.”
Declan grins. “You did?”
“And graham crackers and chocolate.”
Declan leans over to kiss Seth. “Sounds like the perfect way to break in our new fire pit.”
“Exactly. What do you say, guys? Will you stay for some s’mores?”
“Hell ya!” Piper squirms. “I’m always down for those.”
After dinner, Seth clears the table while Declan splits wood to start a fire. We roast marshmallows until long after the sun sets. The warmth of the fire and comfort of my friends is enough to keep the worst of the depression away.
