Page 85 of Just a Plot Twist
Like easements on hiking trails. And Longdale-branded odds and ends. And Cinnamon’s wrinkly face.
If I continue thinking about her various “best” parts, I’ll be so distracted that I’ll probably crash this bike.
“We’re almost there,” Claire shouts back to me, so I slow my speed.
Sure enough, the trailhead is just around the next bend, and it’s marked by a small wooden sign.
“It’s so overgrown!” Claire laments. She dismounts the bike and removes a booklet from her bag. She points to the area with the edge of a sheaf of papers she printed from the city database. “This one, the Beacon Trail, connects with a bigger network higher up the mountain.” She frowns as she studies the papers. “But this says parts of the trail were damaged by fire several years ago and the city never made the repairs.” She tsks and surveys the land. “Should we head up aways to find where it drops off?”
She’s been working overtime on the trailways initiative, but she still hasn’t heard if she’s got the job yet. She thinks the interview went well, but she’s convinced they’re going to go with Rich. I keep saying they’d be crazy not to choose her, but I admire her dedication despite the unknowns. This project means more to her than padding her resume.
She removes her helmet, hangs it on the handlebars and runs her hands through her shiny, wavy hair. I’ve decided it’s the color of nutmegandmanuka honey. Her cheeks flush a delicate pink.
The way she’s standing there, her arms raised, her fingers sliding through her hair, has me transfixed on the spot. She turns and meets my gaze, those brilliant green eyes shining in the sun and gleaming like precious stones, and one thing is for sure: I was wrong about Claire Lawson.
She’s not too young or inexperienced.
She’s not too stubborn.
I’m not sure I ever even believed any of those things, actually. It was always more about me, anyway. WasIready to dive into something with her? Were the kids ready? Could I take the risk?
And the answer had been a firm “no.”
Until, like the dog being unceremoniously dropped off at my door without warning, I’ve been forced to confront a few unwanted truths knocking at my door. That doing life with Claire would be a whole lot more full and rich than going at it alone.
Period.
She quirks a smile and steps to me. I remove my helmet and tug her close, relishing in the warmth of her.
“Pre-hike kiss?” Her brows are raised, her smile wanton.
I answer her by pressing my lips to hers, flooded with excitement and a touch of nerves still becausehow is this my life?How is this incredible woman with me?
“Question,” I muse when we pull apart, my lips finding her forehead. “How does what we have compare with what you had with Chad and Tad?”
Her bottom lip drops open and she scoffs. “I can’t believe you asked that. I told you things with them were less than ideal.”
I wait, my lips curving in a little smile. I shouldn’t tease her about it, but I’m upset that Chad and Tad treated her poorly. She deserved better.
She answers with another kiss, and another, and then pulls herself away, biting her bottom lip. Her eyes take me in. “You’ve completely changed my mind on all things kissing and dating. I’ve never been so…happy before.”
“Me neither. These few weeks with you have been…powerful for me.”
It hasn’t been that long since we kissed in the lake, the wildness of the dark and the chill of the water making up our minds for us. And I’ve spent every moment I can with her since then. Still, it’s not enough. I always crave more.
“How’s your ankle going to handle this?” I ask once we pull apart.
She shrugs. “It’s almost completely healed. Besides, I know a guy. And I’m pretty sure he can help me if I can’t make it down.”
My smile is lazy across my lips. “Oh really? You expect this guy to save you whenever you need it huh?”
“Think of it as…” She pauses. “Giving him an opportunity to serve someone in need.”
“So, more than anything, it’s a service for thisrandomguy.”
“Exactly,” she teases. She steps in front of me, pulls her phone from her pocket, and speaks notes into the voice memo app on the condition of the trail and recommended next steps.
And I only follow, enjoying the slower pace, talking with her about everything and nothing at the same time. For better or worse, I’m completely into her and everything that she is.
