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I’m glad you liked it. How did your date go?
Talk to you soon,
Oliver
PS: Your last article? Brilliant. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Attached article
The negative effects of climate change on our planet are worse than we thought
Chapter Sixteen
COLOUR ME IN
Oliver
Ishould be focusing on where we’re about to go. I should concentrate on the day and the paths we’re planning on hiking, the spots we should be resting at, and the ones where we could potentially do some spirit bear sightseeing.
But nothing is working to take my mind off Charlee.
Not when I’m still haunted by her beautiful face from this morning, sleep still clinging to her eyes. A low curse pushed past my lips as I felt myself harden, desperate to discover her touch, to join her and peel the covers from her warm body, to rake my hands down her sides and explore what I’d dreamed of for so many nights, her flush against me in bed, not leaving the place for the whole two weeks.
I’ve thought about this. So many times. So many sleepless nights. What would she feel like in my arms? Is she as soft as her words or as wild as her spirit? Would my world finally tilt on its axis the day I get to hold her? Would she give me her everything too?
I would have. Oh, I would have given her the sun and everything she’d ever wanted back then. I would have traveled the world with her, followed her anywhere she went.
I shake my head, lacing my boots. When it mattered, when it came down to my actions matching my words, I failed. I didn’t show up.
And now, here I am, with all these unanswered questions that still haunt me every day, even more so now that she’s here, a walking reminder of my mistake and the dream I had to let go of.
But I can wait. I’ve waited five years. What’s two more weeks?
It was stupid of me to try to bring it up yesterday morning. She’s right, we need to keep our minds sharp. Not only because every day we venture into bear territory is a day we put our safety on the line, but also because the success of this shoot holds the key to my life’s dream. Now is not the time to unravel our shortcomings.
It killed me a little to make the deal, but it was the most sensible choice, and when it comes to her, I need to be smart. Always one step ahead. I’ll give her those two weeks. Two weeks where my sole focus will be on finishing this docuseries and supporting the crew so I can cash in my bonus and buy the restaurant back.
But once that’s done, once we are back in Pine Falls and her mind is clear, she’ll have no choice but to listen to me. No more excuses. I’ll explain everything to her. I’ll go all out, recreate the first date we never had. Tell her everything I never got to say. Show her the places I always wanted to take her.
Two weeks for a chance to get everything right where I failed five years ago.
“You ready?” Charlee stands next to me in her hiking gear. “The MNL crew is waiting for us at the reception.”
“Yep,” I say, clearing my throat and chasing away the hope that forced its way into my mind. “Let me grab my bag, and we can head out.”
We walk in silence to the reception desk to meet the rest of the crew.
We couldn’t have asked for finer weather on our first day of hiking. It’s all bright sunshine and mild temperatures that’ll leave us sweating during our efforts without freezing to death.
“Morning, reporters!” Trevor booms, making Charlee jump next to me. “Ready to play adventurers today?”
I chuckle. “Easy, Trevor. Safety first, okay, guys?” I climb a little rock to gain a bit of height and face the group. “All right, everybody, listen up.”
Everyone’s attention swivels to me. Axel and Nick hold the sound equipment, and Emma rests the heavy camera on her toned shoulder, not breaking a sweat or looking uncomfortable in the slightest.
“Today is our first day in the forest. I just want to reiterate a few important rules: no interacting with wildlife, be sensitive toward the communities we’re going to meet, and always stay together. Am I clear?” I make my voice sharp and final on purpose. Where we’re going, we cannot afford risky behavior and unpreparedness.
Heads bob up and down. I glance at Charlee, who watches me like she’s trying to understand something.
