“I don’t think I even knew this place was here,” she admits.
“Seven thousand acres of the best views of the Hub’s skyline, baby.”
“You’ve been here before?”
I nod back at her. “I’ve been here a bunch of times. I actually used to come out here all the time in high school when I needed to think.”
“Oh, deep thinker, Jack,” she hums. “Sexy.”
“Shocking, I know.”
She shoves my shoulder. “Shut up.”
I slam the trunk when I decide that I have everything I need,clicking the strap of my backpack across my chest to secure it before I reach out for Abby’s hand. “You ready to hike?”
“Isanyoneready to hike?”
“It’s good for you,” I assure her.
“That’s yet to be proven.”
I snatch her hand, clutching it in mine and feeling a sense of satisfaction when she curls her fingers around my palm without argument. It’s a tiny victory, and a very new development, but even something this small is enough to set off a flutter in my stomach.
“I promise not to let you fall,” I tell her.
She scoffs. “I won’t fall.”
“Of course you won’t,” I say back, leaning in just a little. “Because you’re with me.”
Her lips pursing might scream annoyance, but the slight blush in her cheeks says otherwise. I decide I’ll take it.
She’s doing well for someonewho claims that hiking for fun iscruel and unusual punishment—having only slipped twice since we started on the trails. She keeps a firm grip on my hand as we walk, and I have to admit that it makes her grumbling worth it.
“I’m sorry you hate it,” I offer, gripping her hand tight as I help her maneuver over a fallen log.
“I don’thateit,” she protests. “I mean…I guess I’m just realizing how uncoordinated I am.”
“I can think of several times when you’ve been nothing but graceful,” I tease.
She attempts to kick me in the shins, resulting in her nearly slipping again, which makes her scowl.
“Really,” she huffs. “Who ever said this was fun?”
“Plenty of people,” I tell her. “It’ll be worth it when we get there.”
“Get where, exactly?”
“There’s a spot I found way back when. It’s got a gorgeous view. I just thought you might like it.”
Her expression softens, and I feel the gentle squeeze of her fingers around mine. “You’re really embracing this date thing, aren’t you?”
“I feel like I should be saying that toyou,” I laugh. “I mean, I didn’t even have to tie you up and drag you out here.”
“But of course you wouldn’t stoop to such measures.”
“Oh, I absolutely would,” I say seriously. “Had the rope in the trunk and everything.”
“Kinky,” she notes dryly.
