Page 127 of Pyg

Alice grinned and grabbed the front of Ash’s plaid shirt, pulling her in for more.

PYG TRACK

SIX WEEKS LATER

Alice focused on the crunch of one foot in front of the other, trying not to pay too much attention to their elevation and the view. With a dizzying effect, the hazy horizon seemed to stretch further with every step.

Trailing behind made it easier; every now and then, Alice allowed her eyes to wander up from her new hiking boots to Ash’s Lycra-clad rear.

Ash’s calf muscles rippled with the effort of the incline and Alice grinned with the memory of running her tongue along that smooth skin, which tasted just as delicious as it looked.

“Alright back there, Al?” Ash’s voice snapped Alice out of her daydream, and she looked up into the gorgeous face peering down at her. Ash pushed back her shiny dark hair with her aviators and flashed Alice a thousand-watt smile.

“Is there much further to go?” Alice asked, whilst trying not to pant like a dog.

Ash stood, hand on her hip, and squinted at the vista.

“Not too far now. How are your feet?”

“Yeah, great.” Alice winced at the reminder. Even her ridiculous heels were more comfortable than these blister-inducing boots.

“It’ll take a few hikes to break them in.”

Alice laughed. “You think I’m doing this again?”

“You wait. It’ll be worth it when we get to the top.” Ash rummaged in her backpack and pulled out a flask, which she offered to Alice when she reached her side. Alice gulped a mouthful of cool water before handing it back.

Ash nodded to her boots. “Did you wear them around the house like I told you to?”

“Yes, Doctor,” Alice said with a grin, which anyone fluent in grins would realise meant,no, of course, I fucking didn’t. Although, it wasn’t technically a lie; Alice had worn the boots — fresh out of the box, whilst lying on her bed, talking to Ash on the phone. She’d held her feet aloft and clicked her heels together like a hikey-dykey Dorothy.

Alice still preferred her calves in stilettos, and despite saying she’d never wear uncomfortable shoes ever again, she was willing to give hiking boots a go.For Ash.

“What are you grinning at?” Ash scanned Alice’s face, a bemused smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“Nothing.” Alice laughed, and Ash squeezed her side in a playful tickle. Alice squealed and reached out to retaliate, but Ash stole herself away, bouncing on her heels and striding ahead like Julie-fucking-Andrews.

Ash’s unexpected touch left Alice wanting more; the ache in her boots had moved a little further north.Pull yourself together.

“Come on, Frenchie. Keep up,” Ash called over her shoulder.

Frenchie? That’s new.Alice smiled to herself and settled back into the rhythm of her steps. She thought back over the past few weeks. How when one door was slammed shut, plunging her into darkness, another door she didn’t even know existed creaked open and let in a shining shaft of light.

Everything was still so new with Ash, but so far, so good.Actually, scrap that. It was so much better than good.The last few weeks had been some of the best of Alice’s life.

Keeping things quiet had been a big fail. Obviously, George had figured it out right away and Alice hadn’t even needed to tell Maggie; her sister took one look at her face and knew everything in an instant. But to be fair, keeping it in was like trying to stop a cola bottle from exploding after shaking it up.

It’d been difficult to pump the brakes, especially after the intensity of the engagement party weekend and the days that followed. But they’d made a real effort not to conform to the stereotype and take things slow. They were getting to know each other properly and letting things blossom.

Sleepovers were reserved only for Ash’s days off, and Ash’s nightshift schedule suited Alice’s night-owl tendencies. Pillow talk had fast become their dawn ritual, albeit in their own beds, at the end of a phone. Alice stayed on the line, listening to Ash breathing long after she’d fallen asleep. She supposed that was kind of creepy, but the gentle in and out of Ash’s sleeping breath was as soothing to Alice as waves lapping a shore.

They hung out on Ash’s days off, relishing each other’s company and concocting plans, like the one which had brought them here to hike this mountain… orhill, as Ash called it.

Originally organised as a trip to celebrate the removal of Alice’s cast, by the time it came around, there was bigger news to celebrate. Alice had accepted a job offer as an Executive Assistant at a respected firm with an actual HR department.

And now that she had agirlfriend— yes, they were officially calling themselves that — there was zero chance of her sleeping with her boss’s wife.

At the brow of the hill, Ash stood sentinel with her hands on her waist, surveying the view like she’d just conquered Wales. Alice panted, heaving her weary limbs up the last few steps. She doubled over, her breaths puffing in gusts.

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