Page 54 of Losing Sleep
“I already got one of me,” I protested, knowing it would be futile but trying all the same.
“Everyone deserves at least one good picture of themselves on vacation. One that isn’t a selfie,” Grey insisted, taking a step back for a better angle.
“I’ve never heard that rule before,” I muttered, noticing that our group had vacated the railing and was making their way back to the trail.
“You can use it for a dating profile picture. It’ll help you snag your unicorn. Show off how beautiful and well-traveled you are.”
I snorted. “Trust me, no one would want to see this.” I gestured at my dust covered leggings, messy bun, and makeup-free face.
“I would,” Grey said, the words so quiet I wasn’t sure I was meant to hear them.
I gave in, leaning against the fence and giving Grey my biggest smile. He moved back, taking picture after picture, coaching and teasing me into different poses until a laugh burst from my lips and the people around us were watching with curiosity.
“Enough,” I finally said, my smile splitting my face as I pushed away from the railing.
“One more, I promise!” Grey said, stepping up to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulder, the camera flipped to take a selfie. “Say ‘bison’!”
“Bison,” I echoed, the largest, cheesiest grin stretching across my face as I looked into the camera and Grey captured the two of us standing in perhaps my favorite moment of the trip, the view behind me only a small piece of the reason why.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“That was gorgeous!” Kyliegushed as we regrouped on the trail.
“Crazy to see what nature can do,” I said, nodding in agreement and pretending like I wasn’t dying to sneak a peak of the selfie Grey had captured.
Tory, Alex, and Brad stood a little apart from us, talking. Trent glared in their direction, a scowl filling his face. Curious about what was going on, I waited, letting those around me carry the conversation until Tory rejoined the group.
“How would you guys feel about making this a longer hike?” Tory had looped her arm through Trent’s, though I couldn’t decide if she was oblivious to the tension radiating off him in waves or if she was simply choosing to ignore it.
Brad stayed in his spot a little farther down the trail, watching the group. Since his one-on-one time with Trent, Brad only camenear Tory when another person could act as buffer, not that Trent seemed to notice or appreciate the gesture.
“I’m game. What did you have in mind?” Grey asked from behind me, and a tiny voice in my head wondered what it would feel like to lean back into his solidness and warmth.
“There’s a waterfall a few miles down the trail that’s one of my favorites. It’s a long hike, but not hard. Probably about five miles round trip from the car.”
Now that I was on the hike, I wasn’t ready for it to end. The combination of sun, exercise, and fresh air was intoxicating. Add in the gorgeous views, and I was happy to hike some more, especially if Grey continued to hang back with me. I might even find the courage to lace my fingers with his while we walked.
“I’m down to keep going,” Grey said.
The others nodded their agreement, all except Trent, who remained silent next to Tory. We took his lack of response as agreement and continued down the trail. My stomach seemed to be hiking its own trail of excitement as Grey stayed by my side.
We once again found ourselves towards the back of the group. I wasn’t sure how Tory was keeping Kylie up front with her, but I wasn’t mad about it. I couldn’t get enough time alone with Grey, a thought I wasn’t going to examine too closely. Instead, I enjoyed the quiet between us, for once not desperately trying to think of ways to make conversation.
“I love hiking,” Grey said as we followed the dirt path.
“I do too, though I don’t go often enough.”
“I’m the same way. Why do you think that is? We live in Utah. Some of the best hiking in the world is just minutes away, and yet, I barely leave my house on weekends.”
I paused, trying to decide how vulnerable I wanted to be. I’d already told Grey so much. What was a little more? “I used to hike all the time with my friend, Emily. But then I started dating this guy who…who didn’t appreciate nature unless it was on agolf course. And, well, I kind of stopped trying to get him to go with me. It was just easier to do what he wanted.”
Grey stayed quiet, processing my words before speaking. “I know nothing about this guy except he’s no longer dating you, and I can already tell he’s an idiot.”
I barked a surprised laugh. “You know, that is the best description of him I’ve ever heard. After all, how could you not love this?” I struck a pose, hip cocked, hands thrown in the air, sweat trickling down my back.
“Beats me,” Grey said, his face serious and warm as he drank me in. It was the kind of look a girl could get lost in.
Clearing my throat, I started rambling while leading Grey down the trail, not quite sure what to do with the nervous energy building in my chest. “Of course, I can’t blame him entirely for me forgetting nature exists. I’ve kind of been avoiding it.”
