“I thought we could stop here—I brought some lunch.” He gestured toward a bench and the backpack he wore.
“Wow, I’m impressed. And starving,” I replied gratefully as we plopped side by side on a bench that overlooked the observatory. I pulled out Able’s water pack, setting it on the ground for him as Travis began pulling out items from his pack.
“Sandwiches, apples, and water. Nothing fancy,” he reported, laying out our lunch.
“It’s perfect,” I argued, reaching for a sandwich and eagerly diving in.
He watched me with a hint of amusement.
I covered my mouth, which was full of food. “What?”
“I just like that you aren’t afraid to eat.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Afraid to eat? Is that like a phobia around here or something?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re not far off,” he muttered, taking a bite of his own sandwich.
We sat eating in comfortable silence as Able lay at our feet.
“I’m glad it’s not crowded today, but I wish you could see more of the view,” he commented, looking out at the cloudy sky.
“Another time.” I shrugged easily. “I’m actually glad it’s not blazing hot. No one wants to sweat their tits off on a first date.” I clapped my hand over my mouth, groaning behind it. “Dammit.”
He looked over at me with a dimpled grin. “You and your filter almost made it. Almost.”
I hung my head in defeat. He reached over, tipping my chin up to look at him. “I’ve told you. I like that you say what you want around me. It’s refreshing.”
“Oh good. We’ll pretend it’s intentional,” I replied dryly.
He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me into his side, and I relaxed into him, my embarrassment forgotten. He had a way of putting me at ease that very few people had ever been able to do. Although, I supposed no one had ever really tried.
After a while he kissed the top of my head. “Ready to head back?”
No.
“Sure.” I nodded, rising and helping him gather our garbage. We headed back toward his Jeep, the weather turning gloomier until a drop or two of rain hit my shoulder.
He looked at me in dismay. “We might get a little wet.”
I looked back at him, confused by his reaction. “It’s just water. You were a SEAL, you can’t tell me you’re afraid of water?”
He laughed. “No, baby. I’m not afraid of water,” he assured me, the term of endearment seeming to slide off his tongue effortlessly. “Most girls don’t like to get caught in the rain.”
I lifted a brow. “Who the hell are these women who are afraid of food and water?”
He slung an arm around me as it began to rain. “Apparently, I’ve been missing out.”
I looked up at him. “Maybe we both have.”
****
“Don’t let him get into the living room!” I shrieked from the bathroom as Travis frantically grabbed for an escaping Able. He’d carried him into the house, where we’d attempted to put him in the bath.
For such a big dog, he was freakishly nimble.
“Shit!” I heard Travis exclaim from the living room, quickly followed by “Got him.”
A moment later, he reappeared, covered in mud and a very unhappy Able as he carried him back into the bathroom. “Let’s shut the door this time, hmm?” he muttered.
