Page 4 of Let Me

“Okay.Sure.Where will y’all be?”

“Arden Hideaway Campgrounds in Swannanoa.Ten o’clock.Eat your ice cream, Autumn.I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.Later.”

He rolls up the window and starts the car, the loud engine revving, turning heads as he drives off.I stand here in the parking lot eating his ice cream, feeling my stomach flutter at the thought of seeing him again.

“Girl, are you going or what?”Riley asks, creeping up behind me.

“Yeah, I’m going.”

“You better.He’s fine.”

“He’s beautiful,” I say, still enraptured by the good vibes of his brief presence and generosity.Even so, I would be remiss not to acknowledge specifics of that face – the milk chocolate skin, a carved jawline, a contoured nose that pairs well with his commanding presence, and light brown, glorious eyes.He’s tall, too.I’d guess six-five or so – makes me feel so small.I like that.He had on a pair of khakis and a plain white T-shirt.He looked so relaxed and casual, but when you’rethatfine, you don’t need to be overly dressed.Not at all.

“So, where are you meeting him?”

“Arden Hideaway Campground.”

“Oh.Dang…”

“Why do you say that like it’s a bad idea?You’re the one who told me to go.”

“Yeah, but I ain’t know he was taking you up in the woods.Nothing good comes out of sitting around a summer campfire with strangers.Sounds like the makings of a Dateline episode.”

“Riley, now you got me scared.”

“You ain’t scared,” she says, shoving a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.“This is exactly the kind of crap you like, isn’t it?Hiking, nature…all that nonsense.”

“It’s not nonsense.It’s good for the soul.But I will say, I’m usually at home relaxing by ten at night—not fanning away mosquitos, and smelling smoke.”

“Your hair gon’ smell like smoke, too.”

“Ugh…yeah, definitely not looking forward to that, but I am looking forward to talking to Judah.”

“Oh, that’s his name?”

“Yes.Judah.”

“Look at you saying the man’s name like you’re in love already.”

“Well, he did sacrifice his ice cream for me.”

“Really, Autumn?Sacrifice?You take things entirely too far.”

Shaking my head, I say, “Nope.I have never in my life had anyone do something so kind for me.It was sweet.Literally!So, yeah, I’ma head out to the woods, but I’m taking my mace and stun gun with me just in case it gets wild out there.”

“Smart.”

“Are you going out tonight?”I ask Riley.

“Yeah...I got a date.My coworker set me up with her cousin.

“Oh, no...bad move.”

“Why?”

“If it doesn’t go well, she gon’ be actin’ weird.And if it does work out, she’ll want all the details.”

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