I didn't mention the snakes. Honest to goodness, I didn't see one that often.
"You may not give me any shit about that." Maya pointed to where the chipmunk had emerged.
I pasted on my best imitation of innocence. "I would never."
We both knew that I absolutely would—and often.
"Pfft," she said.
Now, it was my turn to squeeze her shoulder. "You've got to admit that it's nice out here."
She stared at where the chipmunk had disappeared. "I'll admit that I have yet to be attacked or bitten by anything," she agreed. "Which makes it nice out here."
"I'll take it," I said, jumping to high five one of the branches above.
We trekked on ahead, letting the trail lead the way, neither of us needing to add commentary to the beauty that was this mountain. The trail opened up to a meadow that would fill with wildflowers in the spring. Right now, it was mostly dry grass and pebbles, but it was still pretty. A different pretty.
I led her off to the west side to the big-ass boulder that came about up to my waist.
When I was a kid, though? Man, this rock felt like my personal mountain.
"Ta-da," I said, gesturing to the spot.
"It's a rock," she said with mock excitement.
Not gonna lie, I figured she'd have a different reaction. My disappointment must have showed, because she lifted her eyes to meet mine, and I saw a shift in her expression—from playful teasing to a deeper understanding.
"It's my rock," I said. "I've never brought anyone here before. This place was just for me and Dad. It's… special."
She nodded, touching the stone with reverence. "Then that makes it an amazing rock."
"It does, doesn't it?" I placed my hand on top of the boulder next to hers. "Years of visits up here. Some with Dad. Most just me. Now, this time with you."
"You know what's funny?" she asked, setting her hand on top of mine.
"Nope, but I'd love to find out." I turned my hand over to twine our fingers together.
"I enjoy being your wife, Sloan."
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"All the times I've been married, and I've never had the full wife experience… until you," she continued with a squeeze of my hand. "No one has ever shown me their rock before."
"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying what we have. I enjoy being a husband, too." I toyed with the wedding ring on her finger.
"I kind of thought it'd be boring." She looked up at me, her eyes misty. "That we'd get sick of being in each other's space, but I'm seriously going to miss you."
"Maya." I cupped her face in my hands. "I'm going to miss you more."
We settled on the boulder, side by side, our gazes fixed on the horizon where the sun dipped lower. As the shadows lengthened and a cool breeze swept through the meadow, Maya leaned closer, burrowing into me.
One simple gesture, but with it, we seemed to hit our stride.
CHAPTERTWENTY
MAYA
My heart raced with the soft hum of anticipation before the music started and the stage lights flooded the Puffle Yum Stadium in Los Angeles. I was finally there, under the spotlight by myself, showing the world that I didn't belong in the background. The stadium was packed with an enormous crowd, and the surge of electricity coursing through me made me feel unstoppable.
