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“What?” I look back at him.
“Unless you’d rather stay with the group?”
“Um, no.” I don’t have to think about it. Again, I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
“Great. Get changed, and let’s go.”
I stare at Holden, trying to figure out exactly what’s going on. After last night, I woke up with very low expectations of what today might look like.
The two of us going off by ourselves did not cross my mind as a possibility, and I’m stunned it occurred to him.
He’s staring at me, one eyebrow raised expectantly.
“Uh, okay, yeah.” I hesitate for a split-second longer, then head back toward the tent.
My bikini is at the very bottom of my duffel bag, thrown in on a whim. I undress to swap out my bra and underwear for the swimsuit, carefully tying the strings behind my neck and on my hips before pulling my shorts and shirt back on. I hunt around for my water bottle but can’t find it.
Eventually, I give up.
Mark and Jordan have joined Finn, Holden, and Brooks by the fire pit by the time I climb back out of the tent. Another fire has been lit, the flames cracking merrily as they spread across the fresh kindling.
I approach the group slowly, the denim of my shorts a rough rub against my knuckles as I shove my hands inside of my pockets.
Mark notices me first, shooting a warm smile my way. There’s a crease across one of his cheeks from a pillow and his hair is sticking up in three different directions. Jordan is in patterned pajamas. It’s kind of nice, seeing this more relaxed side of the guys. Makes me feel more at ease around them.
Holden is talking to Finn, his expression serious.
There’s a spasm of unease in my stomach, worried something is wrong. But it relaxes when Holden notices my reappearance, punching Finn’s shoulder and then walking over to me. He stops to pick up his backpack, which I eye curiously.
“Have you seen my water bottle?”
“Yep.” Holden pats his backpack. “I packed it. You want it?”
“No, that’s okay. I just wanted to make sure I…had it.”
He nods, tugging down the brim of his ball cap. “Ready?”
I swallow my nervous apprehension. “Uh-huh.”
He glances back. “See you guys later.”
His friends’ expressions range from confused—Jordan—to amused—Mark.
“What time are we supposed to send out a search party?” Finn calls, as we start toward the far side of the campsite’s clearing, in the opposite direction from all the tents.
Holden flips him off over one shoulder.
“Where are we going?” I ask as we start along a trail.
“You’ll see,” he replies.
“Very reassuring.”
“Don’t you trust me?”
“You’re the one who freaked me out about wild animals and no cell service last night.”
“That was you walking alone, not with me.”
