Page 76 of The Hookup Situation
“Stay here,” I tell her, quickly lighting the fire Zane set up. I unpack the supplies from the back, then quickly set it up.
When everything’s ready, I help her out and position her just right.
“Okay,” I say, untying the blindfold. “Open.”
She gasps.
We’re in a clearing surrounded by tall evergreens. String lightstwinkle next to the blanket I have for us on the ground. A fire crackles in a makeshift fire ring, and blankets and pillows are arranged beside it. Beyond that, the lake reflects the evening sky that’s fading to dark. Eventually, it will be fully dark, and the stars will appear.
“Nick,” she breathes. “This is …”
“Too much?”
“A dream.” She turns to me, eyes bright. “How did you find this place?”
“Zane. It’s his and Autumn’s secret spot.”
“And they know you’re bringing me here?”
I nod. “He read it on my face. Zane knows me better than anyone. He stopped by before I left and suggested this spot. He knows what we have is only temporary.”
“Isn’t it always?” She tilts her head at me.
“Usually,” I admit.
She sighs. “I don’t want to hide it from them, but I don’t want the outside pressure, you know? That’s our decision.”
I tuck her hair behind her ear. “I know what you mean. We’re in the same canoe.”
This makes her smile. “Without oars.”
“Nah, we have those. Just dealing with a headwind.”
She licks her lips. “Better analogy.”
“Why?” I ask, the fire reflecting from her face.
“Because headwinds aren’t forever. It’s only a temporary obstacle,” she explains. “What is the solution to our problem?”
“First, we have to define the problem,” I tell her. I remove the food from the picnic basket, handing her a plastic container. “Imagine this being a five-star gourmet meal. If we were in the city, I’d have brought you to this rooftop restaurant with the best view.”
“This view is better.” She meets my eyes, then opens her to-go container. “And beef tips with gravyisgourmet. Very happy about this.”
She pulls a plastic fork from the bottom of the bag and hands me one too.
“But you’re right. What are our obstacles? In our relationship?”
“I could make you a PowerPoint,” I offer.
Laughter bursts out of her and echoes off the trees. It makes me happy, knowing my one-liners crack her up.
“I thought we were never to mention the PowerPoint again?”
“True,” I say. “One problem is my inability to fully commit and give myself to someone.”
“You sound like a walking red flag,” she says.
“You’d better run,” I tell her.
