“Okay. Let’s go.”
We get out of our sleeping bags, put our shoes on, and he grabs the flashlight. Then he does a thorough inspection outside of the tent and we don’t find a single thing. He turns to me, tucks a tendril of hair behind my ear, and says, “Honey, this is their home. The little creatures live here in the woods. Many of them come out at night to eat. They live on plants and things. They won’t hurt you, I promise. Sometimes they make noises when they feed and it sounds like they’re growling, but they’re not. They’re more afraid of you than you are of them. Would you be afraid of a rabbit if you saw one?”
“No.”
“Then you need not be afraid of these, either.”
“But a skunk?”
“Won’t bother you unless you threaten it.”
I hang my head, feeling rather idiotic.
He puts a finger under my chin, saying, “Hey, you didn’t know. This is your first time out here. It’s okay. Let’s go back to bed.” He takes my hand and I feel comforted, and not chastised. Wrapped in his arms, I fall into a deep hard sleep. By morning, I wake up surprisingly refreshed.
My stomach lets out the biggest roar and Drew chuckles in response. “I guess that’s my wake up call. Time to feed my girl.”
“Are you going to cook again?”
“Oh, yeah. You are getting the full camping breakfast.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I feel pampered but bad that he’s doing all the work.
He looks at me earnestly. “You can tell me you’re having a good time?”
“Last night freaked me out, but I’m honestly having a good time with you.”
He smiles, then proceeds to make coffee, bacon, eggs, and pancakes.
“I can’t believe you did all this.” I say around a mouthful of pancakes in syrup. “It’s so good.”
“Eagle Scout.” That grin of his makes me want to kiss him.
I shake my head at him. Then I say, “Thank you for putting up with me last night. I guess that’s what you meant when you asked me if I was squeamish.”
“Sort of. That, and if you minded getting dirty.” He reaches over and wipes my chin. “Just a bit of syrup you got going there.”
“Jeez. First the marshmallow, and now this.”
“You look cute with stuff all over your face.”
“Just what a girl wants to hear.”
“Okay. How’s this? You’re sexy enough to lick, Cate.”
Oh, boy. “And will you follow through with that?”
Asking wasn’t necessary. Drew always follows through. He scoops me up and zips us back into the tent. Later that morning, we pack up and head home. Well, head back to my home. Once there, Drew walks me to my apartment. He sets my bag down and holds my hand.
“All week I look forward to our weekends together. I had a great time.”
I fall head first into his blue irises. “I did too. Peed-on unders and animal noises excluded. I’m sorry it’s over.”
“I didn’t mind either of them.” He pushes strands of wayward hair behind my ear before cupping the back of my head to kiss me. This time the kiss is slow and I feel something tighten within me. And it isn’t just my hormones. I feel it in my chest. This man has turned out to be everything I never thought I could have. As the emotions well up I feel something pool in my eyes.
When he pulls back to look at me, his expression turns into concern.
“What’s wrong, Cate?”
I shake my head afraid of what I might be beginning to feel. “Nothing. I think something got in my eye.” I’m not lying—the unshed tears still burn there.
His eyes focus on me and I smile. He leans in and blows across my eyes. “Better?”
I blink back the tears and nod. “I’m going to miss you. I wish you lived closer.”
“I’m going to miss you too, my camping girl.” He licks his lips and pauses as if he wanted to say more. “Next weekend?”
I nod, not strong enough to admit I’m falling hard for him. I can only hope that if he doesn’t feel the same, I don’t break when I hit bottom. He presses a sweet final kiss to my lips before he turns to leave.
“Next weekend,” I say more to myself as he walks away.
ROLLING OVER IN BED, I encounter a wall of pillows.
“Hey,” Jenna’s says, her head popping up on the other side of the wall. “I’m not ready to get up.”
Her whine makes me smile because I’ve missed this girl so much. Only my grin turns into a frown as my head throbs. I can’t remember how much wine we consumed last night. My confusion doesn’t stop the playful jab that comes from my mouth.
“You talk in your sleep. You know that?”
“I do? What did I say?” she asks anxiously.
“Something about Brandon.”
Her faces lights up. “Don’t mention that name when we meet Kenneth tonight.”
“Who’s Kenneth?” My nose wrinkles up.
She waves a hand in the air as she falls behind the pillows to hide herself. “I met him at the country club a few months ago. I don’t get to see him often. He lives here most of the year, but his family home is in Charleston.”