Page 89 of 10 Signs You Need to Grovel

She gives me a soft look. “When’s the last time someone did something special for you? Something nice just to make you happy?”

I frown, pretty sure that person was Sadie. A birthday or something from before WITSEC. “That day you washed my car and left your underwear for me to find in the glove box?”

She blushes. “That was eleven years ago.”

I shrug. “It was an awesome surprise.”

She laughs under her breath, shaking her head. “I promise this will be better. I told Max we have errands to run for the hiking program, but we’re heading to a spot in Ruby Grove, so we’ll stop by your place on the way. You can shower off that mess, and we need to grab your bathing suit and a book if you want. I have to be back for dinner, but the only thing on tap for the afternoon is wild and frivolous fun.”

I look down at her, wishing I could run my fingers through her hair. “Sounds perfect,” I murmur as my phone chimes.

I grab it from the table and see Mirielle’s name. I tap on the text, and there’s one word:

DESMOND.

Another message pops up quickly:

But you’ll always be Walter to me.

“What are you smiling at?” Sadie asks.

“Just realizing how fortunate I’ve been to have such great people in my life.” For longer than I truly realized. “I’ll say goodbye to Max and meet you outside.”

An hour and a half later, we’re at Emerald Lake—Ruby Grove’s popular swimming hole, surrounded by the Rough Ridge Mountains. Sections of smooth rock encompass the sparkling water, perfect for lounging on a hot summer Sunday.

Sadie left her planned picnic and our towels and books in a quieter spot. Now we’re clambering up the rocks, both of us being careful in our bare feet.

I’m fortunate enough to have her bikini-clad ass in my face. “The views here really are spectacular.”

She peers over her shoulder, giving my chest a thorough once-over. “They certainly are.”

I move up a step and cross my arms, making sure my pecs flex for maximum viewing. “Is this why you brought me out here in my bathing suit? So you can ogle my body. Am I just a piece of meat to you?”

Her gold-flecked eyes shine with mischief, then she fondles my chest, moaning dramatically, totally hamming up her performance. “The hottest meat I’ve ever seen.”

She may be teasing me, but my body doesn’t care. Heat swells between my thighs. She drags her hand lower, shoving apart my crossed arms, charting a course south until I’m hard and my eyelids are drifting shut.

“Also,” she says in a seductive whisper, “I’ll race you to the top.”

Grinning madly, she darts off, leaving me turned on and flustered. Cheeky woman. I catch up just before the summit and pick her up by her waist, carrying her the last few steps while she half-heartedly smacks at my arms.

With my feet firmly planted at the top, I turn and place her so she’s one level down. “Guess I won.”

She rolls her eyes, then joins me several steps back from the cliff edge. She wraps her arms snugly around my waist. “We both won.”

Amen to that. “This place really is stunning. Almost as nice as Bear Lake.”

“I actually think it’s nicer.” She takes in the majestic vistas and ancient rocks reaching for the sky. “The mountains are so dramatic.”

“Visually, sure, it’s beautiful. But Bear Lake is where you and I used to swim.” I blink through memories of us splashing each other and skipping rocks at the water’s edge. The nights we used to lie by the lake, cuddled together, talking quietly. “Memories make a place special.”

She doesn’t tell me we’ll go back there soon, where we can openly display our relationship in Windfall, but she tucks in tighter to my side. “I like this too. Creating new memories together.”

“Yeah. I love this too.” I play with the string of her bikini bottom. “I’m pretty sure people jump off this cliff, don’t they?”

She leaves my side and walks hesitantly toward the edge. “They do.”

Her tone sounds surprisingly nervous. The Sadie I knew had no issues taking a running leap off the thirty-foot cliff at Bear Lake.