Page 37 of Unraveling Rain
“Hotshot, over here,” Rain calls from another part of the summit.
There are a few hikers around, but overall, we have the mountain to ourselves.
I jog over to where Rain is standing, taking a selfie with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. She tilts her head, signaling for me to get into the picture. I stand behind her, pressing my chest to her back and resting my left hand on her shoulder. We’re both grinning, our faces slick with sweat.
A buzz of electricity courses through me, and I know Rain feels it too. Goosebumps trail down her neck, disappearing into the neckline of her tank top.
“Wait, let me flip my hat,” I say, turning it backward.
Rain rolls her eyes at me on the screen. “You’re such a diva,” she quips.
I chuckle. “I just know I look better when you can see my eyes.”
She turns to face me, our lips just inches apart. “Oh yeah? And what can I see in your eyes?” she asks.
I can feel her breath on my face, a mix of nuts and mango from the snack we had earlier. She would be my preferred snack right now, but I need to tuck that thought away and answer her question.
“How much I’m enjoying spending time with you,” I say.
Her breath hitches.
I lean down to kiss her, but two kids sprint past us, laughing.
“Tyler, Josh, stop right now! It’s not safe running around here,” a woman shouts.
Rain and I chuckle, the moment ruined.
“Ready to head back? We could drive to a campsite by a waterfall,” Rain says as she starts to put her phone away.
I place my hand gently on hers. “Could you please send me the picture?”
A smirk transforms her gorgeous face into something that can only be described as mischief.
“What? So you can file it along with the other pictures you took while we were hiking?”
Heat rises up my neck, and a guilty smile spreads across my lips. I didn’t think she noticed.
“No, wiseass. So I don’t have to keep sneaking pictures of you.”
Her laugh is carefree as we start our descent to our parking spot.
The way down is faster since we don’t stop as much.
Now we’re setting up foldable chairs and a table outside Rain’s van. She brought food from the diner to make us dinner.
The spot she chose is stunning. We’re twenty feet away from a waterfall, surrounded by tall trees that keep us shaded. It feels like our own natural piece of paradise.
“I feel like your answer to the next question is going to make or break us,” Rain says, firing up a small portable grill.
“Uh-oh. I better get it right then,” I say, rubbing my hands together and bouncing on my toes like I’m warming up.
She laughs before asking, “How do you like your steak?”
I press my lips together, pretending to think hard.
Finally, I let out a deep breath and say, “Damn. I don’t know. Is there any other way than medium rare?” I flash her a crooked smile.
Her eyes light up.
