Page 48 of Isla

By the following afternoon, I have everything for the baby shower set up and ready to go, and I'm sitting in my room, my heart racing as I pack a bag for my date with Henry. The anticipation is killing me. I rifle through my drawers, trying to find something to wear, finally deciding on a T-shirt and cutoffs.

"Ready?" Henry asks, sticking his head in my door. I turn toward him, trying to breathe normally even though it feels like all the oxygen has been sucked from the room. He's wearing a worn-in baseball cap, dark hair curling around his ears and the nape of his neck. He smiles shyly, his dimple nearly doing me in.

"Almost," I finally answer, my pulse thrumming as I shove the last of my things in my duffel bag and zip it up.

"Make sure you bring a swimsuit," he says, stretching his arm over his head and leaning against the doorframe. "Actually, on second thought, don't."

"Don't?" I echo, trying not to stare at his bicep and the way it flexes when he moves. The moisture in my mouth evaporates as I wrestle with the desire snaking through me. I clear my throat, dropping my gaze only for it to land on the sliver of skin above his waistband. "You have got to stop doing that," I rasp, licking my lips.

"Why?" he challenges, the corner of his mouth ticking up.

"You know why," I say, taking a step toward him.

"Tell me, Isla," he murmurs, leaning farther into the room, nudging my chin up until our eyes meet.

Fuck he's mesmerizing. Eyes so blue they're almost purple, looking at me like I'm the one thing that'll solve all his problems. And god, I know just one touch will solve all of mine. "Because we won't make it out of my bedroom if you don't," I finally answer, pushing up on my tiptoes to press my lips to his. He growls against my mouth, turning his hat backward and pulling me close, walking us toward the bed.

"Do you know why I picked camping?" he asks, kissing his way along my jaw, pulling at my earlobe with his teeth.

"Why?" I ask, wrapping my legs around his waist as we sink onto the mattress.

"So nobody will be able to hear you scream when I make you come." He bites my nipple through my shirt, and I arch my back, wanting more.

"You can do that here. Now," I say. "I promise I'll be quiet." His chuckle skitters over my skin, pebbling my nipples.

"I don't want you to be quiet, Red." I thread my fingers through his hair, pulling his mouth back to mine, reminding him what he could have right now if he would just take it. He pulls away, breathing hard, eyes hooded. "I'm going to blow your mind tonight."

"Is that so?" I tease, letting him help me to my feet.

"You have no fucking idea," he says, completely serious. "I need to go pack the cooler. Come down when you're ready."

"Okay," I whisper, biting my lip as I watch him walk from the room. God, I love a confident man. I blow out a long breath, completely frazzled. I go into the bathroom and stare at my reflection like she's a stranger. Rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes, swollen lips. I think I like this version better. I bite back a smile, pulling my hair into a bun and swiping on some mascara. I grab my bag and head downstairs before my nerves get the best of me. Henry is outside loading the cooler into the back of the farm truck.

"You know Jack has a truck set up for camping?" I ask, swinging my bag into the back.

"I know, but I've been thinking about this for a while, and I've always envisioned us cooking our food over a fire and sleeping in a tent. If you'd rather–"

"No," I assure him. "This will be perfect." The fact that he's put so much thought into it has me feeling some kind of way. I can't wait to see Charlie's face when I tell her.

"I made a playlist for our date," Henry says, plugging the aux cord into his phone. "I hope that's okay."

"More than okay," I laugh, side-eyeing him, wondering how he’s real. Hozier’s voice fills the cab as Henry cranks the truck. Goosebumps race over my arms as life takes on an other-worldly quality. Like a movie or a book. Almost too perfect.

Thirty minutes later, Henry pulls off the side of the road, large dunes blocking what would be a spectacular view of the ocean. We scout for a spot and decide on a high rocky outcropping overlooking the beach. I gather driftwood while Henry sets up camp.

"This should last a while," I say, dropping a pile of sticks beside the makeshift firepit.

"I would say so," Henry laughs, wrapping his arms around me. "Ready to catch our dinner?"

"To what?" I ask, eyes wide.

"Don't tell me you've never been fishing, either."

"I never had a reason." I shrug. Until now. Now I want nothing more than to do exactly what Henry wants to do.

"Let me teach you. If you don't like it, we can stop. I brought extra food just in case." I follow him back to the truck, taking a fishing pole from him. "There should be a path," he says, scanning the pasture on the other side of the road. "Yes, there it is. We just have to follow that until we get to the river." We walk side-by-side, fishing poles slung over our shoulders, a tackle box under Henry's arm. "Secret for a secret?" he asks after a few minutes, breaking the silence.

"What kind of secret?"

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