Summer.
Another reminder that this summer is for Maisie and after it’s done, after she checks everything off her list, after I’m back home… it’ll be just a memory of our past.
But for now, I’m all hers and she’s mine if she wants to be.
I squeeze her hand back in response, afraid that if I speak, I’ll choke over the thought of this—us—not being forever.
Ten minutes pass by and as we’re about to approach the property, I pull over and grab a bandana from the glove box and tie it around Maisie, blindfolding her.
“Is this the moment where you blindfold the lovesick girl and take her out in the woods and kill her?” She giggles to herself.
“If you’re into chasing, I’m sure I can accommodate that.” I laugh. “But no, I need this to stay a surprise, so no peeking!”
“Will I get in trouble if I peek?”
Putting the car in park and leaning over I nibble on her earlobe and whisper in her ear, “Lots and lots of trouble.” I see her shiver and goosebumps noticeably form on her arms and legs.
I get out of the truck and make her stay seated where she is until I round the hood and can help her out. I open the door and take her hand in mine, guiding her to her feet. “Keep your blindfold on and hold onto my hand so you don’t trip. I’ll guide you and it’ll be worth it, I promise.”
She can’t see the smile on my face as I take her hand walking her through the grass and trees. The walk isn’t too far but part of me wants to throw her over my shoulder so she doesn’t have to do any work.
“I really think you’re kidnapping me,” she says as we arrive. I remove my hand from hers and step behind her, beginning to untie the blindfold.
“Would a kidnapper plan this?” I ask, fully taking the blindfold off.
I place my hands on her hips and rest my head on her shoulder. She gasps and claps her hands over her mouth before she turns around to face me. Instead of saying anything, she takes my face in her hands and kisses me so tenderly.
“Henry,” she breathes, “this is beautiful. You did this? Forme?” Her eyes dart back and forth between mine, looking for something I’m not sure of.
“I want this to be the summer of your teenage dreams.” I brush her cheek with the pad of my thumb. “A summer you’ll never forget.”
I want to besomeoneyou never forget,I almost say.
32
MAISIE
Looking around the campsite, I can’t believe that someone would go through the effort to do something like this… forme.
When he told me that we were on Miles’ property and that he spent time cleaning up this area so that I could have the best first camping experience, I knew I could feel myself really falling for Henry.
Looking around the area, it truly feels like we’re in our own special world, and I guess in a way, we are. Summer is our own special world because once it’s over, so is whatever is going on between us.
I push away those thoughts, not allowing them to ruin what we have right now.
“So,” Henry nervously says, “I wasn’t sure about sleeping arrangements so I bought two small tents, and one bigger tent,” he fiddles with his fingers, “you know, just in case you wanted to spend the night with me.”
“Henry Bellwood, am I making you nervous?” I grab his hands and squeeze them to let him know it’s okay.
Rolling his eyes and tilting his head back in a soft laugh, he says, “I didn’t want you to think I was expecting anything. I—” he stammers, “I just really want to sleep next to you again.”
My hands still in his, I say, “I’d be sad if we didn’t share a tent.”
“Oh, thank God.” He huffs out a breath and we both break into a fit of laughter. “I wasn’t against begging,” he winks. “Now let’s figure out how to pitch a tent.”
The tent takes less than twenty minutes to set up, and honestly, I wasn’t much help. I mostly watched Henry do it all and passed him a stake when asked.
I’m usually not one to care about men doing “manly” things but watching Henry be all outdoorsy and watching his muscles flex has me nearly panting.
