Page 16 of The Ex-cavenger Hunt

Lily slips out of her building, her colorful tote bag slung over one shoulder, her steps light and buoyant. She’s wearing those round sunglasses that make her look like a bohemian goddess. As she approaches, I can’t help but admire her quirky sense of fashion; it’s as if she wears her creative soul on the outside. My heart skips a beat as I take in the way the sunlight dances off her chestnut hair, casting a golden glow around her.

“Hey, Ethan,” she greets with a smile that could easily be mistaken for the sun peeking through clouds.

“Lily. Here let me get those for you.” I hop out of the RV and move to load her bags, my muscles flexing beneath my fitted t-shirt. As I take her tote from her, our fingers brush. It’s a warmth that spreads from the tips of my fingers, curling gently into my chest—a silent whisper of something more lingering in the space where our skin barely meets.

“Wow, you weren’t kidding about the snacks,” she laughs, peering into the RV’s small kitchen area. Her eyes widen in delight as she takes in the array of treats. “Are we planning to feed a small army?”

“The way I see it, if you get all cranky without coffee, I don’t want to see what happens if you’re hangry,” I joke, nudging her playfully with my elbow. She rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

We both slide into the seats, the plush interior embracing us like an old friend. I catch the faintest whiff of jasmine from her perfume mixed with the new car scent. It’s intoxicating, and I find myself taking a deep breath, savoring the moment.

“Nice ride,” Lily comments, running her hand along the sustainable material of the dashboard. Her fingers trace the smooth surface, and I can’t help but imagine them trailing along my skin instead. “You weren’t kidding when you said you had everything under control.”

I grin, a surge of pride swelling in my chest. “I told you, I’m a man with a plan.” I wink at her, enjoying the way her cheeks flush slightly at the gesture.

“Thank you for doing this,” she says, her voice soft and sincere. Her eyes meet mine, and I’m struck by the emotion swirling in their hazel depths. “I really appreciate it. Even though you don’t know me and . . . Is it crazy of me to jump in a vehicle with a stranger?” She bites her lower lip, a hint of uncertainty clouding her features.

“If it was anyone else, I would agree. But I promise you’re safe with me,” I reassure her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. The warmth of her skin seeps through the thin fabric of her shirt, sending a tingle up my arm.

There’s a moment, just a heartbeat really, where our eyes lock, and something unspoken passes between us. It’s like we’re both acknowledging the weirdness of this adventure—two new friends setting out to find answers under the pretense of a casual road trip. We exchange nervous smiles, the kind that says ‘here goes nothing’ without uttering a word.

“Ready?” I ask, my hand hovering over the start button, my heart hammering in my chest with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

“Let’s hit the road,” she says, her voice filled with determination. She squares her shoulders, and I can see the resolve settling over her like a cloak of courage.

With a press of a button, the RV comes to life, and the first notes of our epic playlist fill the space. The upbeat melody washes over us, and I feel the tension in my muscles start to dissipate.

“Hope you don’t mind, but I threw a few guilty pleasures into the mix,” I admit, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye. A sheepish grin tugs at my lips, and I brace myself for her reaction.

“Please, Ethan,” she chuckles. “As if my playlist would be any less cheesy.” She shoots me a playful wink, and I feel a warmth spreading through my chest.

Our laughter melds with the music, and as I pull away from the curb, I feel the weight of normalcy slip off our shoulders, replaced by the lightness of possibility. The open road stretches out before us, a blank canvas waiting to be painted with our adventures.

“By the way, I packed gummy bears,” she says, producing a bag from her tote. She holds it up like a prized possession. “Wouldn’t be a road trip without them.”

I glance at her, puzzled by the significance of the candy, but I don’t ask why they’re so important. Instead, I pull out of the parking spot, the tires humming against the asphalt as we set off toward our first destination.

As we leave the Boston area behind, the highway stretches out before us, a ribbon of asphalt cutting through the lush green landscape. The sun hangs high in the cloudless sky, its rays casting a warm glow over the world. The music fills the RV, a blend of nostalgic tunes and modern beats that somehow perfectly captures the essence of this trip.

“Hit me with something good,” I challenge, keeping one hand on the wheel while the other one is ready to veto whatever she is about to play.

“Prepare to be amazed.” Her grin is infectious, and she scrolls through the playlist. I watch her out of the corner of my eye, admiring the way her brow furrows in concentration, the way her lips purse as she makes her selection.

Then it happens—the unmistakable opening guitar riff of a song that’s a bridge back to simpler times. My eyes widen in surprise. “No way. The Cure?” I can’t help but chuckle, the sound feeling like freedom and tasting like nostalgia.

“Bet you didn’t see that coming from Ms. Graphic Designer,” she teases, turning the volume up. The music fills the cabin, the haunting melody and raw lyrics washing over us like a wave of emotion.

“Ah, but I should’ve,” I retort, finding the harmony effortlessly as we belt out the lyrics. My voice isn’t exactly Billboard material, but who cares? It’s just us, the open road, and a soundtrack that could score a teen movie—or ours. Lily’s voice is surprisingly on-key, with an energy that could make a stone statue tap its foot.

As we sing along, I steal glances at her, taking in the way her hair whips around her face in the wind from the open window, the way her eyes close as she loses herself to the music while snacking on gummy bears. There’s a freedom in her expression, a joy that’s contagious, and I find myself smiling so hard my cheeks ache.

“So, is your taste in music as eclectic as your art and choice in snacks, Lily Harper?” I ask once the last note fades into laughter. I glance over at her, my eyes crinkling with amusement as I take in the way her face lights up at the question.

“Guilty as charged. Gummy bears are a staple on any trip.” She grins, a playful glint in her eye. “All right, Mr. Self-Made Millionaire, show me what else you’ve got.” She leans back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest, a challenge written in the quirk of her eyebrow.

I tap the screen, letting the playlist shuffle decide our fate. My heart races with anticipation, wondering what musical gem will reveal itself next. Drums kick in, followed by a familiar bass line, and it’s my turn to deliver a surprise.

Lily’s eyes widen, and she lets out a delighted laugh. “Backstreet Boys? Ethan Montgomery, you dark horse.” She shakes her head in disbelief, a smile playing on her lips.

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