28. Bri

28

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I tossed the picnic basket into the back of the truck, next to the rolled up blanket and my hiking bag. With a slam, I closed up the bed and waltzed inside to do a final check of the house. I didn't want to miss anything for mine and Sarah's first real date.

When I pushed open the side door, Oakkie meowed at me from the counter.

"I know, sweetie. I'll be back soon. Lock down the fort for me." I gave him a pet under his soft chin. A gentle purr rumbled against my hand as I said goodbye to my companion.

Locking the door behind me, I checked my pockets for my phone and my wallet.

I hopped into my truck and sent Sarah a text that I was on my way. Once I hit send, I took a deep breath and tried to settle my nerves. It felt silly to be nervous to spend time with her. But it was an actual date .

I turned the key in the ignition and pulled my car out of the driveway, barreling down the mountain toward New Winford. My stomach turned as the truck gained speed on the downward slope. It felt just like my heart felt: a hunk of metal hurtling toward the woman I loved and hoping I wouldn't need to pull the brakes.

Knowing I was about to spin myself out, I tried to enjoy the August scenery instead. It was one of the last few weeks that would feel like true Summer. Once the month rolled on, the leaves would start to crisp and the wind would start to blow cooler.

By the time I'd settled my breathing, my truck was pulling onto Sarah's street and into her freshly paved driveway.

When I put the car in park, I checked my hair in the visor mirror and made sure it was laying nicely in the ponytail.

I hopped out of the truck and headed to her front door. The last time I made this walk, I wasn't sure if Sarah was even into me like that. And now, I was more certain of that than I'd ever been. Even if I wasn't entirely sure she'd choose me in the end.

Clearing my throat, I knocked on the front door and waited. I could hear the patter of her hiking boots on the engineered wood floors from the otherside of the door.

The door flung open to reveal Sarah's smiling face. "Hi." She crossed the threshold and put her hand on my neck, pulling me in for a kiss. As soon as our lips met, I wanted to melt. I was tempted to skip the hike entirely and just stand in that doorway with our tongues teasing each other.

But instead, I pulled back and grinned. "It's good to see you. How was your week with the kids?" I took a look at her, her pink workout shirt loosely draping over the black hiking shorts. Even from head on, I could tell just how incredible her ass looked. Her toned but sturdy legs made my mouth water.

She sighed, a mix of disappointment and relief crossing her face. "Wonderful as always. I miss them a lot but I'm happy to see you."

"Shall we?" I gestured toward the car. Sarah grabbed a small backpack from inside and locked the door behind her.

With a nod and the bag slung over her shoulder, Sarah started toward the stone steps. I offered her my hand as we descended the steps. Once we reached the pathway, I jogged ahead and popped open the truck door.

I held out my hand to grab her bag. Without making me beg, Sarah passed the backpack to me and hopped inside. Once she was inside the truck, I closed the door and brought her bag to the bed of the truck.

I slammed the back closed and climbed into the driver's seat. Turning the car back on, I nodded to Sarah. "Ready?"

A grin took over her face as she looked at her house. "Ready."

I let the car slide back out of the driveway and into the street. Without any navigation, I started us toward the mountains. We passed my house quickly, going deeper into the woods. Sarah reached toward the dashboard and put on the radio, finding an indie country channel.

It fit the vibe of our drive perfectly.

"Did you already pick a trail?" She turned to look at me, crossing her legs in the passenger seat.

It took an extraordinary amount of effort to keep my eyes on the road and off her soft thighs. I felt like I could feel the muscular legs pressing my head between them as I buried myself in her center.

But I swallowed hard and watched the curves of the mountain roads. "I did. I think you'll like it."

Even from across the truck, I could see the blush rise in her cheeks.

As the roads grew more and more remote, no longer painted with lane lines, we got to talking about our weeks. We avoided discussing the lake house. Instead, Sarah told me about Ava's latest obsession with getting a chicken coop.

"Where does something like that even come from?" I laughed.

Sarah shrugged. "No idea. I think Robin has something to do with it. Or maybe Daryl and Leah. But it certainly wasn't me or her dad."

Shaking my head, I lightly hit the brakes as we approached the state park entrance. It was quiet for a Sunday, and the park waived the parking fees for the upper lots. Most people weren't willing to park that high up, knowing the hike itself would be brutal.

We pulled into a spot near the trailhead and grabbed our gear from the back. Clipping the picnic basket and blanket to the back of my pack, I could feel Sarah's eyes on me.

"Can I carry something?" She shook her head as she looked me up and down. My shorts were longer than hers, cutting off halfway down my thigh but leaving the toned muscles exposed. Her eyes scanned my wide shoulders as I put the bag on.

I scoffed. "Absolutely not." Even if I was willing to let her handle some of it, the extra weight would make my muscles bulge more. And I was far more interested in letting her ogle me than give up a few pounds of luggage.

Once I was suited up, I walked us toward the trailhead where a metal gate kept out large vehicles.

We walked around it and headed down an unkept path.

"Oh, so we're off roading?" Sarah teased as she followed behind me.

Turning around, I winked at her. "Maybe. Do you trust me?"

Sarah nodded. "Of course I do."

It was all I needed to trudge ahead. Mossy Glen wasn't a hard trail but it was a little more rugged. We walked along the narrow path of but brush, the light trickle of a stream filling the woods.

Quickly, the brush turned to a dense forest of evergreens. The path widened and the forest floor cleared of shrubbery.

I slowed down and walked alongside Sarah. Grabbing her hand, I intertwined my fingers with hers. My throat tightened as I held her hand. I'd dreamt of this for decades. The sun warmed my face and the light breeze breaking through the canopy kept me from sweating too hard.

Sarah smoothed her ponytail as a blush rose in her cheeks. "I'm surprised I haven't done this one yet."

Shrugging, I smiled at her. "I don't think it was cut yet when we were in high school."

"How often do you come here?" Sarah asked, watching my face.

I frowned as I considered the question. "Honestly, now as often as I should. Maybe once or twice a season. I did it as a winter hike once. It was so quiet with a blanket of snow over it."

A sigh escaped Sarah's lungs as her shoulders dropped. "God that sounds so calming."

"Maybe I can take you sometime." The words left my lips before I could stop them. It was bold, planning to spend time with her six months from now. I hoped it would be more than friends. But if Sarah ended up choosing Vic, I was determined to keep her in my life – even if it was just as old pals.

Sarah smiled at me. "That'd be nice."

Before long, we approached the stream that had been trickling in our ears for the last half hour. A quaint wood bridge stretched across it. As we approached, I ducked my head and tried to avoid her gaze.

But her eyes flicked between the railing of the bridge and my face. Her jaw dropped as she stopped in her tracks. "You have to be kidding me?"