Page 26 of Camp Help Falling

After clearing out the chat, I methodically purge my email inbox and lose myself in popping all of the red notification bubbles on my apps.

“You’ve got some nerve, Sadie.” Oliver appears at the top of the half-hidden path to the fire bowl.

I don’t even try to hide my smile as he crosses the clearing and stops in front of where I’m leaning against Cell Phone Rock. I push myself to stand, coming to my full height, which is still comically shorter than his. I prop my fists on my hips and stand my ground as he inches closer and closer. His body looming over mine should be intimidating, but it isn’t. I tip my head back, trying to meet his eyes that flash down to my exposed throat.

Space is barely a thought between us, but we’re not touching. Not yet. But standing so close to this line, it wouldn’t take much to reach out and cross it. I want him to cross it. I want to cross it.

Instead of the kiss I’m expecting, Oliver slips his fingers between mine, holding my hand so lightly, so gently, like he’s giving me all the opportunities in the world to pull away and put myself back on my side of the line.

“Go on a date with me tomorrow?” he asks quietly, thumb gently dancing over the back of my fingers. I should pull away, put the Purple Rule between us again, but…the camp property edge is just down the hill on the other side of this clearing. I could pull him down there, cross that fence and be perfectly in line with all the rules I’ve set. But with no one around, I give in. We’re close enough.

Close enough that I step forward, slipping my free hand around his waist.

“Okay. Yes.” My heart swoops into my stomach and back into my chest when his hesitant grin becomes a brilliant smile that makes his dimples pop.

“Now about that kiss,” he begins as he leans down, eyes locked on my lips. A spike of unease jolts through me; unwelcome thoughts of being caught up here fill my mind. It’s one thing to be found with my hand in his, but another to be caught locking lips. I put my hand on his chest and he stops, his eyes finding mine.

“Maybe we should save kissing for off-property.”

Disappointment flashes across his face before he slides that smooth, knee-melting smile in place. He pulls back, bringing my hand to his lips. Holding my gaze, setting a fire in my chest, he presses a warm kiss to the back of my fingers, dusting his lips over the same place he ran his thumb.

“I can do that.” Oliver’s eyes sparkle as he presses one last kiss to my knuckles.

“Are you sure about that?” I raise an eyebrow, and he drops our linked hands to his side, but places his other hand on my back, pulling me close.

“I’m sure. But you didn’t say anything about this.”

I can feel the heat from his hand through my well-worn t-shirt, and as the pleasant warmth spreads, I relax into the embrace.

“You’ve got me there. Is convincing me to purple with you the only reason you came up here?” I ask, sinking further into Oliver’s arms.

That was the wrong thing to ask because Oliver pulls away, shaking his head. Even though the night air is warm, I miss Oliver’s heat. I go to pull away completely as he slips his phone out of his pocket, but he grips my hand tighter, refusing to let me go.

“No, I actually came to check on my apartment.” He wiggles his phone at me before looking down at the screen and smiling. “Running into you is just a bonus.” Oliver pulls me into his side. “Stay with me?”

And I don’t think I could have said no, even if I wanted to.

Chapter Sixteen

Oliver

Saturday morning passes like molasses in January. I have never wanted to urge a bunch of kids to move faster, say goodbye quicker, and wave at their parents to peel out of the gravel parking lot. After all of the participants are gone, I hurry back to my cabin to change into something a little nicer than the staff t-shirt and cargo shorts that have become my daily uniform. If I’m taking Sadie on a date, I’m going to do it properly.

Mom and Dad wave me over to where they’re sitting on camp chairs in front of the lodge, and although I want to ignore them and head to my car, I stop and lean down to give my mom an awkward one-armed hug.

She looks me over with a critical eye, noting my clean jeans and dirt-free henley. With a knowing gleam in her eye, she looks away from me and out over the field.

“Have fun today, Oliver.”

I wait for her to say something else, to call me out on my obvious plans, but she never does. Dad doesn’t say anything either, he just sits in his chair, soaking in the warmth of the sun, occasionally turning a page in his old paperback.

“I’m planning on it,” I say as I bend down to give Mom another awkward hug. “I’ll be back later. Don’t wait up.”

Mom shoots me a look as I step away, feeling like I’m a teenager going on my first date. Before she can open her mouth to chastise me with my full name, I jog away, rounding the corner of the lodge and heading toward the parking lot.

Sadie is waiting for me, leaning against the hood of her older car and looking like a vision in a pair of denim short overalls with a lacy white shirt beneath. She’s traded her ever-present hiking boots for a pair of high top converse, and the combination of feminine and casual is a sight I didn’t know I liked, but now that I’ve seen it, I can’t get enough of it.

I can’t get enough of her.

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