Page 61 of Best Part of Me

“I’m glad my first time was with you,” I say, knowing those words can be construed into many different meanings. But he simply smiles and holds me against him tighter.

“And you’re about to lose your virginity again.”

I whip my head at him, and it’s embarrassing that it takes me more than a second to realize his meaning. My first time skinny-dipping. I bark out a forced, “Ha.” My cheeks burn. “I guess that’s one way to put it.”

He shrugs. “It is the most fun way.”

So much for my idea of chatting to distract me from being nervous. Maverick’s reminder not only has my stomach twisting, but it has me excited. I’m not really sure what my biggest concern is. Maverick has seen me naked about half a dozen times this past week. I suppose it’s the thrill of it. Of doing something wild in public. And doing it with him.

This will be one more experience. One more memory. One more moment, I get to tuck away in a specialMaverick file. It’s a file I know I’ll keep close to my heart. It will be one I take out often. When I’m sad. Lonely. Depressed. Hell, maybe I’ll take it out when I’m happy even. Something tells me theMaverick filewill be my most treasured one.

When we reach the clearing and the hot spring comes into view, my heart stalls in my chest. There are about a dozen people in and around the spring. Even a couple of children. Shit. Maybe I won’t be checking anything off my bucket list tonight.

But Maverick slips his hand into mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “This is beautiful. C’mon, let’s get some pictures.”

Sometimes I forget that Maverick is a writer. In person, he’s a man of little words. But he comes alive in his written pieces.

Opposite from some of my favorite fiction authors like Susan Wiggs or Emily Henry, Maverick is a talented non-fiction writer. His words are real and honest. Each one is sought after and chosen purposefully. It’s almost as if he saves all his words to be written rather than spoken. So when he speaks out loud and says things like,this is beautifulor,you’re breathtaking, it causes my heart to swell.

I follow behind him while he points his camera in different directions and shoots. A few people give him the once-over. He’s not your typical tourist, here to take a few candid photos. For one, he’s not using his phone. It’s unusual for people to use a real camera these days. Especially one that appears as expensive as his.

If anything, I hope Maverick’s camera makes people uneasy and they ditch the springs. There’s no way I will be able to go through with skinny-dipping if we’re not alone. It’s difficult enough thinking of doing it with Maverick watching.

We come to a large boulder that overlooks the valley with hills on either side. I decide to catch Rosie up on the day and let Maverick finish his photography. “I’m gonna sit for a bit. Maybe wait out some of the tourists.” I chew my lower lip, and he gives me a knowing smile.

“I won’t be far,” he assures me, patting my thigh when I sit cross-legged on the boulder.

Slipping my phone from the pocket of my shorts, I hug the cardigan around me with one arm while I compose a text to Rosie.

Me

Do you still have that bucket list from when we were kids?

She responds almost immediately. Probably one of the best things about Rosie is she’s reliable.

Rosie

Hell yeah. Why?

Me

I’ve recently decided to create a new one.

Rosie

Yes! I’m 100% here for this shit!

Me

I’m about to cross off skinny-dipping

Rosie

Shut up!

Me

In a hot spring!

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