I glance back and grin as they stop, Lix parking the bike. He’s layered up, black hoodie under his leather jacket, zipped all the way like he’s already learned that Darkhaven winter doesn’t fuck around.
Em slides off with his help. He pulls off her helmet after taking his off, her black bob’s a mess, cheeks pink, and glasses tilted a little.
I hop out of the Ford and spread my arms. “It’s picnic time at the cliff with my babes!”
Lix kills the engine and looks around, breath leaving him a bit harsh. “It’s a great spot, Stan.”
Em steps up beside him, taking in the view, the drop beyond the trees, and the world stretching out forever.
I follow her gaze to the edge and snort. “Alright. Rule one of Picnic Club. Nobody jumps.”
Lix sighs, trying to hide his smile. “I promise not to launch myself off a cliff today.”
“Every day,” I correct, doing my best impression of Sterling’s scowl at him.
Lix slaps my back while we laugh. I fucking love it when we can joke about hard stuff like this.
Em sets down the basket and opens it, looking sexily methodical. “If you two are finished negotiating the use of gravity.”
I take the blanket from her, giving it a snap before spreading it out.
“This is so thick and cozy,” I say.
Em smooths one corner before taking a seat on it. “Elle planned for wind.”
“Good thinking,” Lix says as he kneels beside us, taking out other things from the basket, while Em sets out the bottles of water.
He grabs some packed meals and passes them to her without comment, their movements so damn in sync.
I see the thermos and twist it open. “Ooh, tomato soup. Smells good.”
Lix nods at it. “Still warm too.”
Paper plates follow. Then out comes these sandwiches in the shape of tiny triangles with barely anything in them.
After taking my gloves off, I pick one up and squint at it. “What the fuck are these?”
Em takes a look too. “They’re cucumber tea sandwiches.”
I frown. “Yeah, ‘cause nothing says cliffside sex adventure like a vegetable with no personality.”
She frowns at my frown, trying to outdo me, and y’know what, she wins. “You’re eating them, Stan. Elle prepared them for us.”
“Obviously,” I mumble. “I’m just sayin’, I want it on the record that I was a good boy who’ll eat his veggies today.”
Lix chokes on a laugh he tries to stop. He’s turning as red as the tomato soup. Em studies us like we’re escapees from the loony bin. She wouldn’t be wrong.
We get comfortable on the big picnic blanket. The view sprawls out below us, the kind that shuts your brain right off.
The breeze through the trees feels fucking amazing too.
I lean down on my palms and sigh, smiling big and loving the crisp air.
Beside me, Em tugs the puffy coat she has on tighter around herself. It’s mine. An extra one, matching the one I’m wearing. It’s a bit too snug on me, but it’s way too big on her. Swallows her whole. It does something stupid to my chest.
Lix is sitting on his heels while he feeds Em a boring triangle sandwich. She takes it, chewing all thoughtful, and covering her mouth, so she can talk about how impressed she is that a picnic date during Darkhaven winter isn’t what she expected. “It’s rather nice,” she mumbles around a mouthful.
She doesn’t even know what’s coming.
