“So, what did you say?” I ask, certain I’m in the clear. He didn’t notice my ogling.
“I said, we have about half a mile left.”
“Cool. That’s great.”
He keeps walking, and about two minutes of silence pass before he asks, “How’s my ass look?”
I let out a bark of a laugh and give him no response.
He glances over his shoulder with a grin but doesn’t tease me further.
“I thought I was in better shape than this,” I admit when we reach a plateau and he turns down a different trail.
“You'll get used to it.”
“Oh, do we plan on hiking this often?”
“Yes, we do,” Dutton answers as if my question doesn't surprise him.
I almost bump into him when he stops, and when I back up and take my place next to him, the view in front of us steals my breath.
You can see all of Lovers and more from here.
“Holy shit,” I say and then squat to sit down.
Dutton sits next to me, his feet flat and arms hanging around his knees.
“Yeah. This view never gets old.”
My eyes land on the lodge, the cabins extending in a horseshoe shape along the lake. It’s huge, even from here. Then my eyes fall to the mountain opposite the lodge.
Lovers truly is a one-of-a-kind place. Seeing it from here is a great reminder of everything I have access to that I don’t take advantage of but should.
“It’s gorgeous. I’m jealous you’ve known about it all these years and never told me.”
“Oh, from all the talking we used to do.”
I bump him with my shoulder.
“Exactly.”
“Well, you might not be so jealous when you find out how I found this place.”
His voice is light as his chin drops to his chest.
“I’ve never told anyone this,” he starts. “Not even my brother or sisters, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
My heart starts to pound. He’s about to trust me with something huge. I reach over and rest my hand on his forearm to assure him he can trust me.
When he looks at me, his eyes are light green, the way they used to be when we were younger, and that alone tugs at my heartstrings and has tears threatening to fall.
“I found this place the first time I caught my dad cheating on my mom.”
Holy shit.
I suck in a breath, my hand flying to my chest.
The first time.
