Page 104 of All We Need

A flash of red catches my eye andIpull us to a stop, pointing to a hundred-foot pine. “Seethat?”

Aly squints, leaning in close to follow my finger before gasping softly. “Whatis it?”

“A woodpecker.Listen.”Myarm snakes around her waist, sealing our bodies together as we wait.

After a minute, the bird lets out atchuras its red head jolts forward.Drummingechoes through the trees and bounces off the bark.

“Wow,” she whispers. “Dayslike today remind me how different this place is to the city.”

Chuckling,Inod. “It’spretty great.Somepeople say seeing a woodpecker pecking can symbolize resilience and perseverance?”

Aly swallows, shaking her head. “Ididn’t.”

I glance down at her. “Ithink there’s a reason we’re witnessing it today.”

Her brow wrinkles a little but she doesn’t say anything more, lost in her own thoughts again.Smackinga kiss to her rosy cheek,Ilink our gloved hands together and lead her the rest of the way until we reach a familiar break in the tree line.

A large chunk of my childhood took place here.Summerssplashing in the shallow waters.Springsspent fishing with friends.Fallcampfires and spiced cider.Wintersracing on fresh blades.

I dump the bag on the floor whileAlygapes at the frozen landscape stretching past the frosty horizon.

“This place is…Wow.”Hermarvel strikes me with pride. “Alake?”

“Yeah.”Idust off the snow and reveal the sign sitting on the shore, veiled slightly by pale reeds.RosewickWaters.“Alittle hidden gem.”

“It’s like we’ve stepped foot intoNarnia,” she whispers.

“It’s pretty magical.Youshould paint it.”

While she takes it all in,Irummage around in my bag.

“Now,Ichecked your shoes—not in a fetish kinda way.Unlessyou’re into that.”Idangle the skates between us by the laces. “Turnsout you’re the same size asFlorence.”

She drags her gaze away, a dreamy look on her face until she spies the footwear. “Absolutelynot.”

“Okay, okay.”Ilower to a knee and hold out my hands. “It’sa no to the foot pics, but there’s zero negotiation on the ice-skating.”

With pursed lips and slightly furrowed brow, she says, “Idon’t know how.I’llbe like a baby giraffe taking its first steps.I’vehumiliated myself enough in the last twenty-four hours.”

Well, that certainly won’t do.

The skates thud at my feet.Ina heartbeat,I’mtowering over her, fingers clasped behind her neck. “No,”Istate firmly. “No, you don’t get to do that.I’lltake your hardheadedness, insults, and cold shoulders, butIwill not allow you to say that what you did yesterday was anything short of remarkable.Youare remarkable, so don’t you forget that.Butif you do,I’llbe here to remind you.”

Moisture clings to her lashes as she shakes her head.Thenher words cut me right down the middle. “Youwon’t always be here.OrIwon’t.Remember?”

I’d forgotten.

My smile is weak. “ThenI’llhave to double down on my efforts.Startingnow.”

Fire and ice battle it out asIpress my mouth to hers.Mytongue demands entrance, andIignite when her taste hits me.Noamount of time is enough with her.

Maybe ignoring the end date and my rapidly increasing feelings is careless.

MaybeI’lllive with the most amazing memories.Ofmoments just like this.

Maybe.Maybe.Maybe.

“In case that wasn’t clear,”Imumble against her lips before stealing another kiss. “Thatwas me telling you that you’re incredible and you can do anything you put your mind to.”

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