twenty-four
Autumn
So…Thathappened.
In the decade that had passed since our breakup, I had moved on, but our conversation had brought up old wounds that hadn’t fully healed. His openness about what had happened brought me the clarity I needed to get to this place with him, and I was glad to move past it so we could enjoy ourselves in the time we had left.
“Meet me at the naked tree at noon,” I said. After our heart-wrenching conversation, we could use a little fun.
He tilted his head, looking down at me quizzically. “Where you’ll make all my wilderness dreams come true?”
I gave him a sweet kiss. “I’m taking you out.”
“Like a date?”
“No, like an unsanctioned outing.” I patted him on the chest. “Don’t tell Hazel or Leo. Camp insurance will not cover this.”
Iappliedtintedlipbalm, popping my lips in the mirror. Grinning wide, I remembered how well Jamie fit in as we teased Jack during bird-watching. How he’d laughed when I told him why we called it the naked tree, and no, it wasn’t just because the bark was peeling but for the campers who had christened it during our first session. His face had said it all, excitement and anticipation showing through his voice. Everything about him gave away that he was looking forward to our date just as much as I was.
“Whoa,” Lola exclaimed, taking a step back to give me a generous head-to-toe, and I knew I’d made the right choice with my low-cut royal-blue romper. Cinched at the waist and tight in all the right places, it was the ideal balance between comfort and dressy. “Who are you, you glamorous lady, and what have you done with our Autumn?”
“Shut it.” I smiled. “Do you want a hand with that?” I reached for the boxes of wine she held precariously on her way to unload in the bar.
“Alcohol is flammable,” she teased. “You touch that,combustion.”
I smiled at the compliment, indulging her with a twirl.
“So, who’s the lucky person?”
“It’s just lunch and…”
Her eyebrows raised sharply, but she didn’t push, likely knowing I’d cave soon enough anyway. I wanted to brag about him. I wanted to pretend he was mine to keep this time.
“Jamie hasn’t been to the slide yet.”
“Oh, I see.” And I loved her even more when she didn’t make a big deal over it.
“Figured it was time.” I ignored the way my hands got a little clammy. Just pre-date nerves.
Tenstepsawayinprofile stood the most handsome man I’d ever seen. He was effortless, classic charm on full display standing with his back up against our infamous naked tree. He looked so at peace as he gazed down the two-lane road that had brought him here only five days ago.
“You look incredible.” He lifted my hand and pressed me up against the tree, kissing me as if we always did this.
The duality of this man stunned me. It was easy to imagine him committed to achieving his goals in a suit and tie from a high rise in the city, but I couldn’t get rid of the idea of him in my cabin wearing flannel pajama pants by the fire, reading a thriller under my patchwork quilt.
“Hi there,” I said timidly, after being jolted from my daydream.
“Hey.”
“Fresh air sure does suit you.”
He had a little bit of stubble, and there was a serious set to his jaw and a light in his eyes as he took me in. Jamie radiated not just his usual confidence and bravado but a bone-deep satisfaction. Satisfaction with where he was, what he was doing. His smiles were growing more and more frequent, and it was clear that he was enjoying these moments.
We made our way to the parking lot, and I tossed my keys to him.
“You’ll let me drive Starla?” he asked in disbelief, as if I’d deny this man anything. He looked at my trusty blue Volvo I’d been babying since high school. “You never let me drive her before.”
“You still get carsick?” I was surprised when he came around to open my door, kissing my cheek before I got in. He seemed stunned that I remembered how sick he’d get when he wasn’t driving, but how could I not after that time we road-tripped to Pacific Cove Beach? I’d made him roll the window down in the hopes that the breeze would do him some good, and he’d vomited on the side of my car. Thankfully, I was a little less hardheaded now.
