Chapter 5
“Hiking? He’s taking you hiking?” May wrinkled her nose in distaste as she watched me get ready that Sunday morning.
“I like the idea,” I replied honestly. “It will give us a chance to get to know each other, and he planned it so we could take Able.”
She smiled knowingly. “That boy knows the way to your heart is through that dog.”
“I don’t know about that,” I muttered as I assessed my outfit. Since we were hiking, I had limited options, which I actually appreciated. The weather was a bit cool, so I’d chosen a cute green pullover, leggings, and tennis shoes. I braided my hair, draping it over one shoulder, and put on a bit of makeup.
“You look beautiful as always,” Mabel assured me with a wink. “I’ve always loved you in green.”
“Thanks, May. What are you up to today?”
“The girls and I are going to get our hair done,” she replied, referring to the feisty group of women she hung out with. “I’ll leave you to it. Can’t wait to hear all about it.” She grinned.
“I think you’re more excited about this than I am.”
She looked at me knowingly. “Somehow I doubt that.”
She had me there.
I walked her out and returned to finish up. A knock on the door sounded just as I was dabbing a bit of perfume behind my ears.
When I opened the door to find him dressed in a black Henley and jeans with a ball cap pulled low over his brow, I wondered how he got more handsome every time I saw him.
Suddenly I was a bundle of nerves. How should we greet each other? A hug? A kiss? I was rooted in place, frozen with indecision.
His gaze swept appreciatively over my frame as he stepped into my space without hesitation and took my mouth in a tender kiss.
“Hi,” he greeted with a smile, his lips a breath from mine.
“Hi,” I breathed, hoping my knees were still in place, because at the moment it felt as though I’d lost them altogether.
He pulled back, smiling down at me. “You look beautiful. Ready to go?”
I nodded. “I just need to grab Able’s leash and some water.”
Able was jumping excitedly around our legs, and Travis knelt to greet him.
“You sure it’s okay that we bring him?” I asked.
“Absolutely.” He nodded. “It’ll be fun.”
“Where are we going, anyway?” I asked as I locked the door behind us.
“I thought we’d do the Griffith Observatory trail,” he shared as we walked side by side out to where his Jeep was parked. “It’s a relatively easy hike but the views are amazing. Have you been?”
“No, I’ve been meaning to,” I replied, excited by the idea. I’d heard it was one of the most scenic spots in all of Los Angeles.
“Well, today’s your chance.” He smiled, opening up the hatch for Able to jump in the back.
We pulled away from the curb, hitting the freeway where traffic was uncharacteristically light. He drove as he seemed to do everything, with a graceful confidence that if I had to guess, he was largely unaware of.
“Damn, I think some of our view might get blocked by these clouds,” he muttered, peering out at the gloomy sky.
“That’s okay.” I waved a hand. “It’s kind of a nice change. Back home we had real weather, and I kind of miss it sometimes.”
He glanced over at me. “Oh yeah?”
