Page 65 of Blue Jean Summer

“I know,” she said as I tied off Elvis. “I’m just surprised it’s not overgrown.”

I cocked my head to the side and studied her. “You’ve never been up there, have you?”

Her cheeks flushed. “I never had a reason to.”

My boots hit hers, and I stared down at the woman I was going to marry in less than twenty-four hours. “You’re telling me that you never went up to the rock? Ever?”

Catherine lifted her chin and shook her head. “Never.”

“Well,” I said with a grin as I took her hand in mine. “Maybe I’ll get one of your firsts after all.”

Her laugh was melodic. “You’re taking me up to the rock so we can make out? Aren’t we a little old for that?”

I headed up the dirt path first, making sure it was mostly clear. “Never too old for that. A few years before my grandma passed, I drove down from Bethesda to surprise her and Granddad. I let myself into the kitchen and found them making out.”

Catherine laughed. “You did not.”

“Sure did,” I said with a grin. “They told me that I should’ve knocked.”

Her voice softened. “They were so in love with each other.”

“Until their very last days.”

We walked in silence, slowly cresting one of the shorter ridges until the earth turned to stone.

The kissing rock was exactly like it sounded. A large stone slab that jutted out of the mountain and hung over the ridgeline. The very edge broke through the tree line, opening it up for an incredible view of the valley and sky.

And yes, it was the place for teenagers to make out when there was a party in the valley.

The stars were out in full force, dancing and glimmering over the estate. I kept a tight grip on Catherine’s hand as she tiptoed out to the edge, then sat down and scooted the rest of the way until her boots hung off the ledge. I did the same, only releasing my breath when we were settled.

It was only about a six-foot drop off the edge of the rock, but when I was a kid, it felt like hanging over the Grand Canyon.

“It’s beautiful tonight,” Catherine said as she studied the sky.

Yeah. She was.

“Let me ask you something,” I said as I wrapped an arm around her and tucked her into my side. “Why are you nervous about tomorrow?”

Her answer was a shrug before resting her head on my shoulder. “I don’t know. I just got a little overwhelmed. I want things to go smoothly.”

“Is that all?” I asked as I gently trailed my fingers up and down her arm.

Catherine curled in closer. She had been swinging her feet back and forth over the edge, but now they were still as she froze in contemplation. “I don’t want to disappoint you. You have a lot riding on this.”

“Cath…”

“I know this thing between us isn’t real and that the wedding’s just for show. But I also know that what I do reflects on you now.”

“I’m sorry I put so much pressure on you.”

She shook her head. “You haven’t. It’s just…I’m in my head, I guess.” Like a switch had flipped, she took a breath, put on a smile, and aimed it at me.

I knew what it felt like to be able to put on a mask at the drop of a hat, and I knew what it felt like to hate having that skill.

“But thank you…again,” Catherine said as she looked up at me with twilight reflecting in her eyes.

“For what?”