Sloane shrugs. “Yeah, but I’m in no rush. I want it to be right. With the right person.”
“Of course. The right person?”
I love Sloane’s giggle. “You did that thing again where you answer something in the form of a question.”
“Yeah, I have a habit of doing that. A lot. But, just to circle back to the whole right time, right person thing. Do you think…maybe I could be the right person?”
She puts both hands on my chest. “That’s what I was counting on, Eden.”
“Okay.”
Me. Eden Sawyer. I’m Sloane’s right person? It boggles the mind.
“Considering you’re standing there looking at me in awe and panic, I vote we table this conversation. Let’s just enjoy our lunch together.”
That’s probably the right call.
Sloane lays out a blanket. We’re only just off the trail. It’s an odd place to sit and have lunch. “This isn’t where you planned to stop, at all, is it?” I laugh.
“No, not really,” she replies with a grin. “But you looked ten seconds from overheating, so…”
“You’re right, I totally was, but I’m feeling better now. We can continue a little longer if you want.”
For the first time ever, I’m ashamed of my lack of fitness. Sloane had something planned and my inability to walk up a small hill has derailed it. Damn it.
“Quit beating yourself up. We’ll keep going after we eat. The view isn’t going anywhere.”
“Has anyone ever told you, you’re a tad bossy?”
I love it. I’m more than happy for Sloane to boss me around all she wants.
She grins and raises a perfect eyebrow. “Maybe. Comes with the territory of being cheer captain.”
“Well, as long as you’re self-aware,” I reply deadpan.
Instead of answering, Sloane unpacks the bag. Tupperware after Tupperware appears.
Sitting back, we look at the mountain of food. Sloane scrunches her nose. “Mom went a little crazy.”
“She made all of this?”
“Yeah. She loves to cook, and you gave her a new challenge. She’s never catered an entirely vegetarian event before.”
“Is that what this is? An event?”
“I think a first date is big enough to be called an event. Don’t you?”
“Fuck yeah, it is.” And then I lean over and kiss her on the mouth. Because I can do that now.
Cue internal smug grin.
“I like that,” she murmurs against my lips. It’s possibly my new favourite thing. I have a feeling there are going to be many new favourite things in my life now.
We spend a couple more minutes snogging. It’s awesome. When we finally pull apart I want to do that sappy sigh of contentment thing. You know, the ones in all the romance books and movies. I’m sure I have heart eyes.
Dialling back a little as to not freak Sloane out, I begin opening containers. “So, what’s on the menu?”
“No clue,” she says. “That looks like hummus.”
