Page 59 of Wish You Were Mine

Finally, we reached the small parking area. I parked on one side, out of the way in case anyone else turned up, although I doubted they would.

Summer laughed. “Well, that was a bit of excitement.”

I grinned. “It’s only just beginning, sweetheart.”

We both froze. Slowly, I turned to face her. Her mouth hung open and her pretty eyes were wide, surprise sparkling in their emerald depths. Tension thrummed between us.

I cleared my throat, cutting the tension, then opened the door, and got out. I moved around to the back of the car and started to unload our bikes.

“Ash.”

I glanced over at Summer, who’d gotten out too and was watching me warily. “Hmm?”

“It’s okay,” she said softly.

“I know.” My voice broke, so I repeated more firmly, “I know. Let’s get these ready to go.”

“Okay.” She let me off the hook, grabbing her helmet from the car and clicking it into place as I finished with the bikes.

I walked over to her and slid my finger beneath the strap, testing its tightness. The silken skin of her neck was smooth against my hand, and I wished I could linger there, but I was trying to be on my best behavior.

“Looks good,” I said huskily. “Have you sunscreened?”

“I did it at home.”

I leaned closer, inhaling the subtle tang of sunscreen on the skin at the back of her neck. If I’d been less flustered, I’d already have noticed. I put my own helmet on and waited while she strapped on the small backpack she’d brought with her.

“We’ll go up that way.” I gestured at a trail that led into the forest, up a slight incline.

“Uphill?” she whined. “Do we have to?”

I laughed. “It’s either uphill on the way there and downhill on the way back, or vice versa. I thought you’d prefer to end with the downhill.”

“No, you’re right.” She straddled her bike. “I’m just not sure my legs are up for this.”

“We’ll take our time. There’s no rush.” Tongue in cheek, I added, “Don’t try to show off. That’s a surefire way to end up on your ass.”

She huffed. “As if I need to show off. I’m brilliant already.”

I gestured toward the trail. “Well, go on then. Lead the way, you big talker.”

She pushed off and cycled toward the trail. I waited for a few seconds to give her space and then followed behind. As she’d said, she was a bit unsteady, but she didn’t push herself too hard and we made our way along the trail, shaded by trees. My legs began to warm, and I breathed in the familiar earthiness of the forest as I studied her slim form ahead of me.

We reached a fork in the trail, she called over her shoulder for directions, and I told her to turn left. We cycled along the dappled earth path, the weak sun filtering through the treetops to light the way.

Eventually, we reached the small, clear stream at the end of the trail. I got off my bike and perched on a rock near the water. My heart was light, and I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. Spending time with Summer like this, just the two of us having fun, I could imagine our future. A lifetime of weekends spent in the hills with banter and laughter.

I wanted that.

I nodded toward the stream. “You should put your feet in the water.”

She gave me a look. “Do you have any idea how freezing that probably is?”

“Yup.”

She crossed her arms and arched one eyebrow. “I’ll do it if you do it.”

I bent to untie my shoelaces. “You’re on.”

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