And judging by the look in her eyes?
She already did.
The air between us still buzzed, even after I stepped back.
The fire had burned low, crackling quietly behind us, casting warm shadows on her face. She stood there watching me, arms crossed loosely, a soft smile playing on her lips like she didn’t quite know what to do with it or me.
Neither did I.
But for once, I wasn’t trying to figure it out. I just wanted to stay here in the moment, let it soak in. The kiss. The laughter. The ridiculous marshmallow negotiations.
“I should probably head home,” she said finally, voice quiet but laced with reluctance.
My stomach dipped, stupidly, like I wasn’t ready for her to go, which was absurd. We were gathered around a fire pit at a family-owned lodge in a small town in Wisconsin. There were probably raccoons watching us right now.
Still, I nodded, offering a small smile. “Big day of innkeeping tomorrow?”
She rolled her eyes. “Very glamorous. I’ve got linens to rotate and probably some mild goat wrangling before lunch.”
“You say that like it’s not impressive.”
“I have range,” she said with a smirk. “Try to keep up.”
She turned slightly, gaze sweeping the path back toward her car, but didn’t move. Her eyes flicked back to me, thoughtful.
“What?” I asked.
She tilted her head. “Nothing.”
“You’re thinking something.”
“I think a lot of things.”
“Fifi.”
She hesitated, then grinned. “Okay, fine. Pack for a hike tomorrow.”
I blinked. “Come again?”
She took a step back, holding up a finger. “Not justanyhike. A day hike. You’ll need water, snacks, and your best leave-me-alone attitude.”
I stared at her, half amused, half skeptical. “You want to take me hiking?”
“I want to take you somewhere. But I’m not telling you where. It’s a surprise.”
“That’s suspicious.”
“That’s the point.”
“You won’t leave me there, will you?”
“Depends.”
I should’ve said no or at least hesitated. A hike with the woman who’d just kissed the logic out of my brain was a risk.
I termed it emotional exposure. A whole day without distance to hide behind.
But when I looked at her eyes bright, hair half-wild, arms tucked against the night chill, I couldn’t bring myself to shoot her down.
