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She held her hand out and shook Colson’s sister’s, then Tiff’s.

“I am. This is my friend, Tiff. Colson said you two used to date before.”

She’d already been warned to keep their ages out of it if possible.

“We did. But we stayed friends. And now we are trying a second go at it.”

“My parents did that,” Tiff said. “Though my mother said they were on and off for years before they finally got married.”

“That happens a lot,” Marly said. “Looks like a beautiful day for a walk.”

“Do you have a store in your backpack?”

“Some of us are more prepared than others,” she said, lifting her chin. She slid her bag off. “Water and granola bars.”

He tapped his pocket, then pointed to his ankle. “Phone and gun. I’m covered.”

“Colson,” Bella said. “That’s not nice. You should thank Marly for thinking of that.”

“I like her already,” she said.

Colson opened the car door. “Water in there. Everyone grab their bottles. We had lunch before we came. I don’t think anyone is going to starve for a few hours’ walk. It’s not like we are doing the whole trail. That would take all day.”

“No,” Bella said. “I thought we could walk for an hour or so and then turn back. If you’re okay with that.”

“As long as everyone has comfy sneakers on, I’m good.”

“And if you don’t, I’ve got Band-Aids,” Marly said, lifting her chin even higher.

“Suck up,” he said, giving her arm a playful nudge. “Go on, Bella. Get ahead of us so you aren’t embarrassed by our presence, but stay in sight.”

Both girls took off in a light jog to get ahead, he and Marly starting behind them.

They fell into an easy pace, the gravel crunching softly beneath their sneakers, the October air cool enough to wake her up without it feeling sharp.

It’d been years since she’d been here.

Maybe when she was a kid just like Bella and Tiff.

Walking, biking, just hanging with friends.

Colson glanced at her. “You look like you’re gathering images of the scenery for an evidence reveal.”

“I’m just appreciating it,” she said casually. “It’s stunning. All that color. Like the leaves just know where and what they should be doing and when for maximum results.”

“That’s high praise,” he said. “Coming from a woman who intimidates entire courtrooms. You know, for those maximum results.”

She smirked and bumped his shoulder with hers. It might not have been the date she expected, but she was positive it was going to turn into another great one.

“I don’t intimidate. I persuade.”

“Sure,” he said, drawing the word out. “With facts. And that look.”

“What look?” she asked, arching a brow, then looking down at the finger he was pointing in her direction.

“The one you’re doing right now,” he said. “Like you’re deciding whether I’m joking or being truthful.”

She slowed half a step so he had to match her. “Which one is it?”