Page 36 of Mud, Love, and Chemistry

“It’s okay. What matters is you didn’t ghost me and?” A thought strikes me, and I jerk my head back. “Wait. Your email is ‘imagine a radioactive dragon?’”

With a groan, he rolls his eyes, and I swear I see his cheeks pinken. “Ugh, yes. That song was really popular, and I was twelve when I created that account, so sue me.”

“You’ve never thought about, I don’t know, making a new one?”

“Oh, I have, but I’m lazy. Everything is tied to that email, so it would be an undertaking to switch everything over.”

I laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe one day I’ll change it.” He shrugs. “Okay, so we know we’re dressed properly. What’s next? Do we have everything we need for a two-hour hike? What happens when we’re done?”

With a nod, I stand and slip on my backpack. “I know I told you to pack a water bottle, but I’ve got plenty in case you run out. I also have sunscreen and bug spray reserves, two ponchos, even though it’s not supposed to rain, and I packed a light snack for us to have at the end of the trail. After that, we hike back, and that’s it.”

“Cool. Sounds like you have everything under control,” Sam says as he stands to shrug on his backpack.

My chest lightens. I’ll take the compliment. It’s the first genuinely nice thing he’s said to me today that wasn’t sarcastic or teasing. The frustration of this morning melts away, and I begin to think I’ll get to enjoy this hike after all.

Sam sighs. “Glad to know this won’t be eating up my whole Saturday.”

My content expression falls. I should have known he’d consider this an inconvenience. With a deflated sigh, I turn toward the trail and say, “Okay, let’s go.”

We walk along in silence as I try to forget he’s behind me. I focus on the gorgeous morning. The bright sunshine, the crisp mountain air, and the lovely aroma of the flora and fauna surrounding me. It’s all so beautiful. For a moment, I actually lose track of Sam.

Until he clears his throat. “So, are you going to tell me anything about this trail?”

“What do you want to know?”

“Well, what kinds of plants are here? Anything dangerous?”

I turn my chin over my shoulder and quirk an eyebrow. “Why? Are you planning to lick a tree or something?”

“Ha, no. But, like, is there poison ivy or anything?”

“It grows here, but it’s unlikely you’ll run into any. Just stay on the trail and you’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, okay,” he says, though he sounds anything but trusting.

Almost thirty minutes into our hike, we pass a couple of fishermen on their way back from the lake. They greet us with cheerful good mornings and tell us the lake is in prime beauty today. We thank them and continue on.

“So, if there’s a lake with fish, does that mean there are bears, too?” He sounds downright scared.

A wicked idea pops into my mind. It might be mean if this were anyone besides Sam. “Black bears, yes. But, I’m not worried.”

“Really? Why not?”

Turning to face him, I walk backwards for a few steps. “Because I’m probably a faster runner than you.” With a smartass grin, I turn around and take off jogging.

“Hey, wait up!” he calls after me.

My brisk pace has him out of breath quickly, so when we round a bend and find a fallen tree trunk, I suggest a break.

“Thanks,” he huffs, plopping down onto the tree.

Smiling triumphantly, I take a seat too. “So much for going easy on you, huh?”

Sam doesn’t say anything as he sucks in air. Reaching for his water bottle, he groans.

Maybe I overestimated his endurance level. “Are you okay?”

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