Page 40 of Every Thought Taken

Mags twirls her straw in her drink. “I don’t know…”

“Maybe we can do something for Mrs. Bishop at the park. Like our own tribute.” Anderson circles a finger around the table, pointing at us all. “Mark a spot for her or watch a sunrise.”

The corners of Mags’s mouth curve up slightly. “Mom would like that idea.” She sips her drink. “I’ll talk to Dad about it.”

We finish at the diner and walk in the direction of Lessa and Anderson’s house. Mags calls her dad on the way. As per our new normal, Anderson and I walk a few steps back from Lessa and Mags. He hooks a finger with mine as we turn off Main and into the neighborhoods. And then, on the public sidewalk where anyone can see, he leans in and presses a chaste kiss to my lips.

This summer will be one I’ll never forget.

CHAPTER22

ANDERSON

Alight mist of rain coats my face as we hike a trail near the town’s namesake lake. Helena walks a step back at my side while Ales treks slower at the rear. I love my sister but hoped she’d want to sit out on today’s hike. No such luck.

“I need five,” she says when the trail levels out.

Pausing, we drink water from canteens and munch on snacks. I pull up the trail map on my phone and find our location. Roughly a mile in, we aren’t far from the first lookout point—a wooden platform jetting over the cliff and with a panoramic view of the lake and mountain. The second lookout—another mile north on the trail—is a three-story tower with a more unobstructed view of the mountain and lake.

Tossing my canteen and trash into my pack, I cut our break. Ales grumbles under her breath and I can’t help but laugh.

“No one forced you to tag along,” I say over my shoulder.

“Yeah, but I wasn’t leaving Lena alone with you.”

Her comment throws me and my foot catches on a root, causing me to trip but not fall. I recover in a couple steps and focus on the ground as I trudge forward. “What’s that supposed to mean?” My tone harsher than intended.

“Chill, Baby A. Just didn’t want her bored without me. That’s all.”

I jerk to a stop and Helena pauses at my side. She reaches for my elbow and gives a gentle squeeze as her eyes widen. A silent plea to let it go.

“Thanks,” Helena says to Ales.

In turn, my sister throws me a smarmy smile. But before it has the chance to grate my nerves, Helena continues.

“I would’ve been perfectly fine with Ander.” She turns her bright smile in my direction, leans into me, and hooks her arm with mine at the elbow. “No one else I’d rather get lost with.” She rests her chin on my shoulder. “Not that we’d get lost.”

The corner of my mouth kicks up for a split second. I love her sweet reassurances. Her easy touches and candid words. The subtle actions and sentiments we exchange around others that no one questions.

With a simple turn of my head, my lips would brush hers. Soft and warm and perfect. Right here, in the middle of the woods, in front of my sister, I could kiss her. Could get lost in the feel and smell and taste of her. Let her kiss rob me of breath and jump-start my heart.

With her in my arms, life is more stable. More desirable. Worth it.

But we aren’t there yet. We aren’t ready to let others in on our relationship. Tell them we are more than friends.

“You’ll never be lost with me, North.”

Ales rolls her eyes. “You guys are weird.” She stomps past us. “Let’s go. It’s getting hot.”

I silently count to five, double-check Ales’s attention isn’t on us, then twist and press a chaste kiss to Helena’s lips. “Better catch up before she freaks out further.”

With a lick of her lips, Helena nods. “Agreed.”

We hike to the first lookout and stare beyond the railing a while, soaking in the view. Ales and Helena take pictures with their phones before Helena pulls out her Polaroid. She huddles us together and snaps a pic with the lake and mountain behind us.

Almost an hour later, we reach the second lookout. Ales jogs up the stairs and I take advantage of the momentary privacy with Helena.

Taking her hands in mine, I close the space between us and press my lips to hers. I sweep my tongue over the seam of her lips. Lips parting, her tongue tangles with mine. She releases my hand and fists my shirt. Drags me closer and shifts slightly, deepening the kiss.

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