Page 108 of You Kissed Me First

“Better than I thought it would,” I confess as I move onto my back and grab her hand.

We fall into a comfortable silence as we float side by side. We’re so relaxed that time seems to stretch forever. Before we know it, the guide is calling out a fifteen-minute warning.

I move off my back and tread water as I pull Katie to me. She comes willingly and wraps her legs around my waist and arms around my neck. I hold her close and steal a couple of kisses before pulling away.

“Come on.” I move, dragging Katie back to shore.

Back at our bags, we pull out some trail mix and snacks while we drink water, trying to stay hydrated.

“This is the kind of place I could stay forever,” Samantha says loud enough for us to hear.

Everyone hums in agreement.

Looking around, I spot Barrett and can’t help but be shocked at the fact even he seemed to get the memo this isn’t the time for his antics.

Once our feet are dry, we slip our shoes back on, along with our packs.

“I think someday, I’d like to come back here. Or at least see another place like this,” Katie says, looking back at the waterfall longingly.

“I feel the same way,” I murmur.

I can’t help but wonder. The next time she visits one will I be with her, or will she do it with someone else? Will she think of me?

* * *

Reluctantly I makemy way out of the forest, by the time the waterfall was out of view I was wanting to turn around. When I couldn’t hear it anymore, I started planning when I could come back. Or visit another waterfall to see if the same feeling would overcome me.

Was it just this waterfall?

Was it who I was with?

Who knows, only time will tell.

If I didn’t know any better, I would think everyone in our group was feeling the loss while we quietly leave the trail. About halfway down the mountain, I can’t help but start rubbing my arm. By the time we are back to the boat I’m full-on itching.

“Are you okay?” Dominic frowns.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

“Because you keep scratching your arm. It’s all red,” he says.

I look down and sure enough, I find myself scratching. My arm is covered in red bumps and is kind of hot to the touch.

“That’s weird,” I murmur. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“Uh, Katie.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m ninety-nine percent sure you’re having an allergic reaction to something,” Dominic says while looking closer at my arm.

“You can’t be serious.”

“Serious as a heart attack.”

“I’m sure we can find some Benadryl at the gift shop.” I sigh.

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather you go to the medbay. Just to be safe. We just walked through a jungle, who knows what it could be.”

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