Page 43 of High Side
She hooted at that, but she did zip up her shell, trying to save body warmth.
They headed downstream, navigating like the pros they were, their laughter filling the air. They hit a class two rapid and bumped and twisted all the way, and she had just enough time to admire Brit’s form before she almost turned over and had to save her own ass.
She hooted, bouncing her way along, and then taking a turn around a heavy boulder. Fuck, this was fun. She pushed off one fallen branch with her oar, rebounding right back into a gully, and she started to spin. Brit shrieked with laughter, having just gotten through with inches to spare, and Kylie righted herself, shooting the last gap to calm water.
She whistled to get Brit’s attention over the rushing water, then pointed when Brittany looked back at her. “Pull out!”
Brittany gave her a thumbs up, then paddled off to their right, into the little eddy that became a still pool on the cut-out bank this area provided.
Time for breakfast.
“Nice,” Brittany said, pulling her kayak up to moor it. “You know all the best spots.”
“I ought to. I’ve been on this river a lot.” She found a place in the sun, basking like a lizard.
“You have.” Brit plopped down next to her, stretching out. “I like it.” Brittany grabbed her hand, holding on loosely, just making contact.
“Me too.” In fact, this might be perfect.
They just laid there for a while, listening to the birds and the chipmunks. Then her stomach growled.
“Dude!” Brittany chuckled. “Let me get the dry bags.”
“Right? That’s hard work in the morning.” She laughed, and they laid out the food. She’d gotten croissants with ham and cheese to put in them, some apple turnovers, and fruit. She thought it sounded like one of those breakfasts people ate in movies.
Add in the coffee and orange juice, and it was all fancy.
“Wow. This is amazing. Thank you.” Brit tore off a piece of croissant and munched. “Yum.”
“I wanted a good breakfast for us. Something that would get us through the second half and the hot sex.” It was so much fun to play with Brit.
“Oh, yeah. I mean, we need the combo of protein and carbs. This is so much better than trail mix. And? I don’t have to share with Sadie.”
“She is a chow hound.” If they’d been paddle boarding at the lake or even rafting, Sadie would have come, but kayaking was hard with the pup along.
“She’s amazing. I love her smile.”
“She’s something.” She was actually looking forward to taking Sadie to work with her a few days a week since she would be off the river, not having to lock her in or take her to someone else’s house.
Sadie was going to be a great office dog, and the allergy thing didn’t count in the back.
“Mmm. That’s a good turnover.”
“The coffee shop has a baker that’s supplying now.” And she had a feeling that would continue.
“Nice. More consistent, huh?”
“Yeah. Way better than buying boxed stuff.” She licked her lips, ready for the sweet cherry goo she loved so much.
“Always. I mean, sometimes you want a Hostess cherry pie and nothing else will do.”
“Yeah. True. But most of the time I want a yummy, flaky fresh thing.” Not that she wouldn’t take a Krispy Kreme when she went to the city, though.
“Do we need to bring anything to the cookout?”
Kylie nodded. Liz loved her potato salad. “I’ll take mustard potato salad and some paper plates.”
“Cool. I can get some drinks on the way if anything is open.”
