Page 8 of Only the Beginning

“Hell yes, there better be some chocolate chips leftover.” I eye the kids, who giggle.

“Good morning,” Daniel is standing above the portable grill making the pancakes.

“Morning,” I blush involuntarily, thinking about last night.

“Did you guys have fun last night? I thought I heard you up pretty late.” Daphne grills. Daniel just smiles at me and avoids eye contact.

“Leave em alone,” Louis nudges his wife.

“Pancakes are ready,” Marshall announces. Phineas and Andy run over with empty plates ready for a stack high. They were five- and seven-year-old boys who could eat their weight in pancakes.

“You better save me some!” I tease, grabbing a plate for myself.

“Any bacon?” Daniel asks, but Liz shouts no before I can answer.

“I’m a vegetarian,” I explain.

“Gotcha,” he nods.

Everyone makes small talk as we eat. Daniel isn’t anywhere near me, but I can feel his eyes on me. I try not to look back with Daphne’s eyes on me.

“He’s been checking you out all morning, you know,” Liz whispers as soon as Daphne goes to help the boys put on sunscreen.

“Shhh no,” I shake my head, blushing.

“Did something happen?!” Liz squeals. Her dark eyes almost popping out of her head.

“Maybe,” I allow. I wasn’t trying to make it more than it was, but I also knew Liz wouldn’t make a big deal of it. Daphne would take all the credit, brag about how she made a perfect match, and turn it into all about her. Where Liz would want to know details for the right reasons.

“Don’t tell Daph,” she chuckles, and I shake my head. We both knew how she could be sometimes. It was one of her fatal flaws.

We finish eating and let the boys lead the hike. It was an easy enough trail where you could carry on a conversation without being out of breath. Which I appreciated. I wasn’t trying to look like an out-of-shape hiking barbie.

Daniel looked like the epitome of hiking. His perfectly round ass filled out his cargo pants, his flannel made him look like something out of J Crew, and his boots were perfectly tied. It was his blonde hair that looked styled to perfection despite not being anywhere near a shower.

“Ma! Come on!” One of the boy’s shouts, so we pick up the pace. They cheer when they find a waterfall, and my heart sinks. Suddenly, I can feel my heart race. I take a few breaths and thankfully the feeling passes.

“Let’s go for a swim,” Marshall suggests, throwing his pack down.

“Are you crazy? It’s probably freezing.” Liz protests.

“It’s actually really warm.” Louis looks up as he gets in. “It must be under the sun all day.

Daphne and Liz surprise me by kicking off their boots and insisting they only put their feet in. Daniel takes off his t-shirt, and I’m once again amazed at the muscles he’s been hiding. He jumps in and waves me over, but I just smile. There was no way in hell I was going to get in the water today.

I settle on the rocks nearby, taking photos of everyone on my phone. They all routinely ask if I want to come in and eventually insist I need to come in. Which is why I’m surprised when Daniel gets out and sits down next to me.

“How’s it going?” He shakes his head slightly, sprinkling me.

“Can’t complain.” I shrug and take a peek at his body.

“So, is the water thing new?”

“What?” I ask, confused.

“Well, clearly you’re avoiding the water. Is that because of… you know?” He hesitates, I’m sure trying not to upset me. He’s not pushy, just concerned.

“Yeah, I’m just not ready,” I admit.

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