Page 28 of Chosen

“You’ve got this, Sam,” I whispered under my breath, as my fingers started to fly across the keys, questions suddenly spilling out of me. “Just imagine this is going to be your magnum opus. This is your time to shine…”

When I finished getting the questions down, I hastily opened up my email, shooting the questions off to Wendi before I had a chance to talk myself out of it.

There.

Now, there was no way to take it back.

“All done?” Damon appeared by my side, his hand on my shoulder.

I jumped at the feel of his palm on me, my brain pretty much blocking out everything that wasn’t my list of questions. I nearly knocked my laptop off the desk but managed to catch it just in time, my hands frantically reaching out for it.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you—”

“It’s okay. I was just in the zone,” I replied, with a light smile. “And yeah. I’m finished. I just sent off the questions that are probably going to end my whole career.”

“Or maybe you just sent off the questions that are going to start your new career as a super serious journalist,” Damon suggested. “Maybe this is just the beginning of the best thing you could’ve done.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

“Yeah. Maybe,” Damon repeated with a grin. “Anyway, now that you’re done with work… you want to finally get started on the nature part of this whole nature retreat?”

“Maybe.” I smiled again as I took a step closer to Damon. “What did you have in mind?”

“You packed some hiking boots, right?”

“Yep. Pretty sure.”

“Good.” Damon nodded before he grinned. “You should probably put them on, then. Since I was thinking we could go on a hike.”

“Oh.” I tried to hide how deflated I was by the suggestion. “Do you mean like a short hike? Just a quick look at the woods?”

“Don’t tell me you’re anti-hike, city boy,” Damon joked. “Isn’t that the whole reason you came out here? To get out of your comfort zone?’

“Sure, but what’s in it for me?”

“Other than getting some fresh air?” Damon hummed. “What if I promise that you’ll be able to see some wildlife?”

“What kind of wildlife?”

“Deer are usually out this way around this time of year—”

“Done.” I cut him off, already searching the room for my hiking boots.

“Really? That’s all it took?” Damon chuckled. “I didn’t even get a chance to list the rest of the critters that—”

“Don’t keep talking when you’ve already made the sale, Damon,” I playfully interrupted him again, grabbing for my jacket. “I’m already handing you my wallet. Just charge the card.”

* * *

I took a deep breath of fresh air, its clean scent tickling my lungs.

Weird.

I wasn’t used to fresh air, so much so that it seemed like my body was suspicious of it, wondering when the normal chaser of pollution was going to seep its way in. Damon was by my side, looking as natural as ever in the woods, a comfort rolling off him that couldn’t be bought or sold. I was envious of it for a moment, wondering how out of place I must’ve looked next to him, a fish attempting to climb a tree.

A wolf attempting to solve a scientific equation.

“How are you feeling?” Damon asked, concern lining his tone.

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