Page 20 of Double Booked

I groaned again while Colton laughed but took pity on me, waving us ahead to the trailhead.

Rex padded at my side on the wide packed dirt trail, occasionally stopping to sniff. His leash manners were much better than Maggie’s who tried to pull Colton from one side of the trail to the other.

The trail is two miles roundtrip and the scenery was beautiful. The sparkling water peeked at us from between the trees and the sunlight filtered softly between the green leaves.

The conversation flowed easily between the three of us and talking with Justin was just as easy as talking with Colton. It was clear that the two had been friends for a long time, finishing each other’s sentences and stories but something niggled at me. Rex was sniffing a particularly interesting tree so I studied them from underneath the baseball cap Colton had lent me. Maybe I just hadn’t been around best friends like them before but there was a comfortableness between them that flowed more smoothly than I had ever seen before in two friends. Their arms brushed each other as they stopped and waited for me and Rex. Their voices were quiet enough I couldn’t hear them but whatever they were talking about had smiles on both of their faces as they stared at each other. They both seemed so different and yet so similar at the same time.

It wasn’t long after that the sound of rushing water got louder. The trail opened up ahead and we were standing on a rocky outcropping with a perfect view of the falls. The falls were much larger than I was expecting. I guessed they had to be over one hundred feet wide and at least fifty feet tall. They formed a soft arch as the water roared over the rocks and into the gorge below.

“Wow,” I breathed, impressed.

“Still gets me every time.” Colton said, taking in the falls himself. “Come on, we can hike a bit closer.”

We hiked down along the piles of rocks that lined either side of the falls until I could feel the cool mist on my face. We paused near the edge of the water.

“During a full moon,” Justin’s voice was loud to be heard over the rushing water, “It forms what’s called a moonbow where you can see a rainbow in the mist. It’s the only waterfall in the western hemisphere where you can see one regularly on the full moon.”

“That’s so cool,” I said, turning my wide eyes to the waterfall. I imagined it being dark with only the moon to guide our way.

“It really is. You’ll have to come for one of those and we can take the kayaks out.”

From where I was standing, I could see Colton’s eyebrows go up at Justin’s offer. Did he not want to do that? Or was he surprised Justin was offering? I wasn’t sure but I smiled warmly at Justin. “I would like that.”

We hiked around the base of the falls a bit longer and let the dogs do their share of exploring before hiking back to the truck. Justin took a drink of water from his water bottle and eyed me meaningfully. I debated not drinking just to prove a point but I was thirsty so I crossed my eyes at him while I took a drink. He laughed but his eyes darkened so I wasn’t sure if he was enjoying my sass or not. I should probably tone it down. Didn’t want Colton’s best friend thinking I was a spoiled brat.

When we dropped Justin off, Colton invited him to join us for dinner but Justin declined. “Enjoy your time together,” he said, leaning against the door of the truck after he helped me into the front seat. “Drive safely tomorrow, Riley.”

“I will,” I promised. “Take care of Colton while I’m gone? And don’t think you’re getting out of telling me stories the next time I see you.”

Justin laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

“See that you do,” I teased him.

Colton grilled us steaks for dinner while I took a shower and changed into comfy clothes. I hesitated over my suitcase for a second before I snagged one of Colton’s shirts out of his drawer. It was large and looked more like a t-shirt dress than a shirt but it smelled like him. And as much as I wanted to be a strong independent woman, I liked the way he smelled.

I could tell something was on Colton’s mind but it wasn’t until after dinner when we were snuggled up on the couch, that he spoke.

“This was good right? Like you had a good time?”

I shifted so I could lift my head off his chest and look at him. Where was this coming from? And more importantly, where was this going?

“I did,” I said. “I had a great time.”

“Good,” his eyes were soft as he looked down at me. He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Do you think you would consider staying for longer next time? I know I said we could alternate but busy season for us is ramping up with the warmer weather approaching and I’m not sure I can leave the crew a man down.”

I rested my cheek on his chest as I thought about it. I really didn’t have a lot holding me in Minnesota. My parents lived five and a half hours away and my younger brother and I weren’t really that close. The only friend I really had was Ryan and he worked for me. But at the same time, wasn’t this all moving a little fast? I mean we were both adults but still, it felt fast. But he wasn’t asking me to move in, just to stay a little longer.

“I think I could probably swing a week. Maybe two weeks if you don’t get sick of me before then.” I lifted my head back up so I could see his face.

“I don’t think that’s a possibility, baby girl, me getting sick of you.”

“Never say never,” I said lightly. I liked spending time with Colton. Well, I more than liked it. But this relationship thing was still very new to me. And a long-distance relationship was even newer.

“I’m pretty confident but I’ll prove it to you.” Colton promised. “Just let me know what you need. I’ll have to work during the day but I know you’re on a deadline as well.”

“I am,” I said slowly. “I don’t think I have any events for the rest of the month but I’ll have to check my calendar.”

“Check it and then let me know,” he placed another kiss on my forehead. “And I’ll pay for your next plane ticket.”

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