Page 85 of Clumsy in Love

He frowned, and his brows creased. “You want me to go back?”

“No,” she said, softening. “I’m glad you found me too.”

“So, why are you still up here? Why didn’t you contact Jen?”

“Oh, um.”

“You got lost,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Not completely,” she said. “I beg of you, don’t tell my friends.”

“Only if you promise not to tell anyone I rode a donkey.”

“Hm.” Just the image of it made her laugh again. “I’m not sure I can take that oath.”

He rolled his eyes. “Is there no signal up here?”

“There might be, but I forgot to turn off the Wi-Fi, so my phone died searching for a signal. Does yours work?”

Cole pulled out his phone. It had one bar and half a battery. “Yes.” He handed it to her. She typed into it, looked at it, and then held it up high.

“It’s not sending? Here, let me try.” He took it and raised his hand, moving around the campsite, checking every few seconds to see if it had gone through.

“I could climb a tree,” she said, only half joking.

“I know you could.” He returned the phone to his pocket and sat by the fire. “But it sent. We’re good.”

“Thanks.”

“Is it safe to be out here?” he asked, eyes darting furtively into the surrounding darkness.

She shrugged. “Probably. Did you bring overnight supplies?”

“Jen packed my bags. No idea what’s in there.”

Holly took a quick inventory. Sleeping bag, pad, tent, rain gear, the usual. She pulled out a granola bar and sat down next to him.

“So, um, what are you doing here?”

“I told you. I came to make sure you’re okay.”

“I don’t mean here, here. I mean in New Hampshire. In Green Valley Falls.”

“Oh, that.” He sucked in a deep breath, as if calming his nerves. “I had to find out why you left New York so abruptly. Without saying goodbye.”

She studied him. This wasn’t about bad manners. The look in his eyes gave her hope. Did he feel about her what she felt for him? Should she go out on a limb and admit it first? No, she wasn’t ready for that.

“I just didn’t know what I would say,” she hedged. “We had a really good time and I wanted to leave on a positive note. I didn’t want to make it awkward, you know?”

He ignored her response and plowed on. “Also, I wanted to tell you that…I think I’m in love with you.” He rushed it all out in one breath, terror emanating from his eyes.

Her eyebrows hit her forehead. He what? Was in love with her? Or thought he was. Worried he might pass out from nervousness, she put him out of his misery. Sheknewshe loved him, but followed his lead. “I think I love you too.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Iknewit.”

She laughed as he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. They made out like he’d just come home from war. A little sloppy, but what it lacked in finesse they made up for with enthusiasm.

“That doesn’t change the logistics of our situation,” she said.

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