Page 208 of Before Dawn

“We’re gonna need this.”

His brows raised in curiosity. “What kind of adventure are we in for?”

I just laughed, letting the mystery linger as I turned to lead him on.

I loved how the leaves turned warm shades of brown, and the crisp air carried just the right chill of autumn—a natural romance, even without a love story. What made it unforgettable was sharing it with my favorite person.

As we stepped into the park, a brisk autumn breeze greeted us, rustling the leaves and sending golden foliage swirling around our feet. I glanced at Mikkel, admiring how the amber sunlight illuminated his features, casting his strong jawline into sharp relief. He looked striking in a white sweater and jeans, perfectly layered for the San Francisco chill, his style blending with the vibrant park backdrop.

“Where exactly are we headed?” he asked as he gently squeezed my hand.

“We’re almost there,” I replied, a mischievous smile playing at my lips. “Just trust me.”

“I trust you, Red.”

We followed the winding path deeper into the park and the sounds of the city faded away, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird.

“This place is beautiful,” Mikkel remarked, his gaze sweeping over the tranquil surroundings.

“It’s one of my favorite hidden gems.” Nostalgia crept into my voice. “My family and I come here all the time.”

I pointed out landmarks—a towering redwood, a babbling brook—until we reached a secluded clearing, where a stream trickled over smooth stones. His eyes widened in awe at the serene beauty, and I smiled.

I then led him to a tree, its bark carved with initials and symbols. “My family carved our initials here, and when my parents were busy, I’d come with Aurora.”

He ran his fingers over the carvings, tracing the letters with a soft smile. “This is perfect.”

Sharing this special place with Mikkel felt right, like I was giving him a piece of my past, a part of myself. I turned to him, finding his eyes already on me, filled with love and gratitude. That was the thing with Mikkel, no matter what I was looking at, he was always looking at me with an indescribable fire and an undisputed amount of passion.

“Thank you for sharing this with me.” There was a tenderness in his tone that made my chest clench.

I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around him and inhaling his familiar scent. “I want us to carve our initials in the tree.”

He placed a soft kiss on my lips. “Now I know why we needed a knife.”

I chuckled, followed by a nod, and he grabbed it, glancing at me for approval. At my silent cue, he began carving.

When he finished, he turned to me, his eyes full of love. “Now we’re a part of this place too, baby.”

Tracing the freshly carved letters with my fingers, warmth bloomed in my chest. “It’s perfect,” I whispered, leaning in to kiss him, feeling whole in that moment.

Hand in hand, we strolled down the shaded path, the scent of pine and earth in the air. My heart felt lighter, and a smile tugged at my lips. The day was perfect.

Until it wasn’t.

My steps faltered as I spotted Joshua’s father, leaning against a red car. His sharp suit did little to mask the venom in his gaze. He wasn’t just looking at me—he was dissecting me, the same way he used to, with judgment and disdain that suddenly felt heavier thanever.

Anxiety tightened my chest, crawling up my throat. Mikkel noticed immediately, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand as he murmured, “What’s wrong, baby?”

I forced myself to look at him, pulling my hand free to straighten his collar nervously. “Don’t get mad…”

His brows drew together, a mix of curiosity and concern shadowing his features.

I exhaled shakily, darting a glance toward the man who still hadn’t stopped staring. “The man staring at me…” My voice cracked, my words coming out in a stutter. “It’s… it’s Joshua’s father.”

The shift in Mikkel was immediate. His hand flexed at his side, his jaw tightening like he was biting back a storm. “The one that told yo—”

“Yes.”

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