Page 37 of Mess With Me
Once they were on their way to the reservation, he asked in a teasing voice,“Think you can keep up with me on this hike?”
“I’m sure gonna try. As long as it’s not an uphill climb.”
“Uh, didn’t I mention the cave’s at the top of the mountain?”
“A mountain!”
“Well, more like a large hill. Don’t worry. I’ll carry you if I have to.”
“You will do no such thing.”
He found himself smiling again. Couldn’t be helped. He dug her fighting spirit. He’d still carry her if she needed a break, though.
Turned out Ally didn’t need any assistance. This time she wasn’t dead last in their group of hikers, same people as last time, except for one of the Matts. She was definitely stronger than she’d been two weeks ago. She was working with a personal trainer, but most people didn’t have the carry through. They went at fitness halfheartedly. Ally was all in. He had a feeling she was like that with most stuff she got into. No wonder she was reluctant to consider a relationship. She probably threw herself into it one hundred percent, and if that wasn’t with a guy who appreciated her, it would just lead to a broken heart. He wanted to be that guy who appreciated her. Therightguy.
He circled back on the trail and walked by her side. She was humming a happy-sounding tune. Last time she’d been so short of breath she could barely speak. “We’re almost at the cave,” he said. “We’ll stop for a break and Rob’ll tell everyone the legend. Mostly for your benefit. Most of us heard it last year.”
“Awesome.” She pushed her sweaty bangs off her forehead and they fell back all rumpled. “You don’t have to walk slow to keep me company.”
“I already reached the cave and doubled back.”
She blew out a breath. “I won’t comment on that.”
He grinned. “You want to call me something? Mr. Muscles?”
“No,weenie.”
He chuckled.
She grinned. “What’d you bring for a snack?”
“Nothing. I figured the pizza would see me through.”
“Oh. I brought homemade trail mix.”
“You hungry?”
“Not really. I’ll probably just throw it at your head for being such a smug hiker.” She did a deep-voiced impersonation of him. “Already doubled back.”
He barked out a laugh.
They walked in silence for a bit, the group getting farther and farther ahead of them as Ally slowed down on the steeper part of the trail.
“So-o-o,” he said, dragging out the word while he geared up for either a great response or a killer shutdown, “now that you’re solo married, if a guy asks you out, would you be open to it?”
She took off her hat and fanned herself with it, taking her time answering. He waited, the dread in his gut telling him he was getting the boot. At least he’d managed a stealth date with the lunch and hike. Still, if she wasn’t on board for more, he’d have to chalk today and their previous hike up to a friends thing.
Finally she squashed her hat back on her head and said, “Probably not. I’m on a real good kick here. I want to let it build momentum until it’s ingrained in my brain. A habit like taking good care of myself takes three weeks to make it stick.”
“How long’s it been?”
“Two weeks and I feel fantastic!”
“I…” He stopped himself. He could wait a week. He wasn’t desperate or anything. Besides, she was spending time with him.
“Yeah?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
