She laughed softly. “Then there was the whole should I unpack conversation.”
“Also worse. That seems like a problem for tomorrow.”
Even though she nodded, she knew she wouldn’t be able to fully relax until her suitcases were empty and put away.
He tipped his head back toward the clearing. “I’ve got the fire pit going. Low commitment. You don’t even have to talk if you don’t want to.”
That alone was tempting. Then he added, almost as an afterthought, “I was thinking of making s’mores. I can teach you. We’ll consider this step one in taking you on new adventures.”
Her brows lifted. “Teach me?”
“Absolutely,” he said solemnly. “There’s an art to it. Timing. Precision. Restraint.”
“Restraint?” she echoed.
He shrugged. “That’s where most people fail.”
She laughed, the sound slipping out before she could stop it, and something in her chest loosened. The porch suddenly felt too still, too close, too…unappealing.
“Okay,” she said. “But if I burn the marshmallow, that’s on you.”
He stepped aside, gesturing grandly down the path. “I accept full responsibility. But you should probably grab a jacket. It’s warm around the fire, but definitely not while you’re walking there and back.”
“I’ll be right out.” She quickly stepped inside and grabbed her coat, slipping it on before joining him out on the path.
The firepit glowed warmly when they reached it, flames licking lazily at the logs, the air smelling faintly of smoke and pine. Evie sank into one of the Adirondack chairs, stretching her hands toward the heat.
Slater passed her a skewer and a marshmallow. “Have you ever made s’mores before?”
Shaking her head, she said, “Nope.”
“Rule one,” he said, settling into the chair beside her, “you don’t rush it. Keep it just outside the flame.”
She followed his lead, watching the marshmallow slowly soften, its surface turning glossy.
“This feels very high-stakes,” she said.
“It is,” he agreed. “But I believe in you.”
She glanced at him, surprised by how warm those words made her feel. Like he meant more than just the marshmallow.
When hers finally reached a perfect golden brown, he let out a low whistle. “See? Natural.”
She grinned, assembling the rest of the s’more with careful concentration before taking a bite. Chocolate melted instantly, sticky and sweet and oh so good.
“Oh,” she said with a throaty hum. “Okay. I get it now. This is like…perfect.”
Slater’s smile looked wholly satisfied. “Told you.”
Evie licked chocolate from her fingers, loving how comfortable and relaxed she was around him. She already knew what their relationship was, and she was fine with it. Plus, it took the pressure off and allowed her to be herself.
“What do you think of the resort?” he asked after several quiet moments.
After one last lick, she replied, “It’s really too dark to appreciate any of it just yet. But from what I can see, it’s lovely. And my cabin is…” She sighed happily. “I wasn’t expecting to have a place like that to myself. I just figured I’d be in a hotel room or something. But having a space like that to come home to every night is going to be nice.”
“Are you sure? Maybe being up at the lodge will encourage you to get involved in more activities.”
“I know it’s dark out, but I can literally see the lodge from here. I think I’ll be okay walking back and forth to do activities.” Then she paused. “Wait, what kind of activities?”
