Page 20 of The Wing
“For someone who barely spoke to me the first day I was here, you certainly have a lot to say.”
I wince and try to ignore the jab but still turn to frown at him and open my mouth to respond, unsure what I’m going to say. I’d left him alone deliberately, but I think that was a mistake.
He holds his hands up in surrender. “I don’t mean it in a bad way. I’ve enjoyed hearing everything you’ve had to say.” I nod and relax. There are steps to climb now and I refuse to fall down them. “Staying with you and listening to your thoughts. It’s been nice.”
Heat spreads through my chest, and my hands tingle, wanting to clutch his face and wrap him in a hug, but I keep my focus on the steps. “I’m glad.”
We reach the top of the stairs and walk silently for a while. Until we reach the first lookout.
“Holy fuck.”
“That is something.” I walk to the edge, pass the wooden seats, and stand as close as is safe.
Mountains rise in front of us, creating a valley where we’re standing. Greenery dusted in white covers the valley and surrounds us. Water flows from the highest point where no trees grow, and to the very edge of my vision is the glacier.
“Look.” I point at the white creeping down towards the water, covering the black rock.
Hemi stands behind me and fits his face over my shoulder. “Wow.”
I glance at him and don’t take my eyes off him. “Yeah, wow.”
His hazel eyes meet mine, and he grins. “Let’s take a break.”
I nod and follow him to the bench and dig out my notebook. Taking the food he passes me, I click my pen on and scribble down thoughts about the landscape, things I can use for work, threads of thoughts that could weave the plot together.
We eat quietly and take it all in while I fall deeper into my notebook.
CHAPTER SIX
Hemi
Liam snaps his notebook closed and stretches his arms over his head. I’ve lost track of how long he’s been scribbling away in his notebook, content to watch him while I listen to the waterfall and breathe in the fresh air. A few people have come and gone, stopping to watch the waterfall before moving on to the rest of the track. No one’s glanced more than once at me, and it’s been…really good to just sit here.
“The creativity stopped flowing?” I ask quietly when Liam slips his notebook away and focuses on the water again.
Liam jumps and turns to me, his blue eyes wide, and red creeps into his cheeks. I know it’s a blush because we’ve sat here long enough for his cheeks to return to their natural state after walking uphill for so long. I enjoy watching the colour spread down his neck and to the tips of his ears. I want to follow it with my lips. After Charlie told me to have fun, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Liam, and I’m starting to think she’s right. If he’s also interested, I’d be thrilled to spend my remaining time in Wanaka wrapped up in him.
He grins sheepishly. “Sorry. But this”—he nods to the landscape—“is helping me fix some plot issues I have. I’m done now, though.”
“It’s okay, I’m glad things started sorting themselves out in your head.” I gaze at the view. “It is pretty spectacular.”
Liam nods and stands. “Shall we keep going? The second lookout is supposed to be better, but we can turn around now if you’re tired of it.”
“Let’s keep going. We’re already halfway, and what happens if you get more inspiration at the second lookout?”
Liam tilts his head. “That’s true. Okay, let’s go.”
I gesture for him to go first and follow behind him as closely as is sensible. I get the idea Liam doesn’t generally hike, or enjoy it, and I feel bad for dragging him out. But not bad enough to turn back. Not when I can watch his body flex as he walks and we can debate character arcs.
Not something I expected coming here for my forced time off, but I’ve barely thought about my issues today. I’ve focused on Liam, making sure he doesn’t fall and die for one, but he…fascinates me. I want to know more about him. I want to know what he writes, and what he does when he isn’t writing, what his favourite books are and why, what his favourite foods are, what soap he uses in the shower and if he’d let me borrow it so I can go home smelling like him. Faintly floral and warm.
My cheeks heat at the thought, and I direct them elsewhere before I proposition Liam without realising. I think he’d be on board, but I want to be sure before I throw myself at him. I don’t need rejection on top of everything else. I’d rather not ask him than be rejected. Talking with him is enough.
So is watching his track pants cling to his ass as he walks uphill.
Either way, I’m determined to find out what’s on his whiteboard and pry his pseudonym out of him. If I’m here while he’s writing a book, I want to read it whenever it comes out.
We walk most of the way to the second lookout silently, in our own thoughts, and I attempt to catch my breath quietly. I’m fit, considering I run for my job, but walking uphill trying to dodge rocks and make sure Liam doesn’t fall over is taking it out of me. My thighs burn, and it has seriously humbled me. But that doesn’t mean I want Liam to realise I’m out of breath.
