Page 71 of Our Little Moments

What is it with life and making me try new things?

Adrian leads me through the forest.

Neither of the two of us know this place, but he’s walking with a grin on his face like he knows where to go. I want to laugh. We’re acting like idiots and I love it. There’s something so beautiful about seeing Adrian’s serious, caretaking, gentle façade slip into a more curious and playful side. I love both versions of him. In fact, I know I would love all versions of Adrian Westwood.

I’m holding his hand tighter because Adrian has this annoying gift of making me feel safe. I trust him enough to go into something blind, which is something I can’t say about anyone in my life. I want to close my eyes against the feel of his hand in mine. That’s how comforting it feels to hold Adrian Westwood’s hand.

Ugh, I’m in so much trouble.

I look over my shoulder—no, I am not trying to distract myself—to find that we’re walking even farther from camp. What is he planning?

We both talk about random topics as we hike through the ups and downs of the mountain. The sun is still rising above us as we walk a downhill trail.

The breath is knocked out of my lungs when I see the giant waterfall standing before us.

The waterfall tumbles with playful grace, its waters sparkling like a cascade of diamonds as they splash into a circular pool below. The pool seems almost sculpted, its edges framed with smooth, moss-covered stones that gleam like polished emeralds. Tiny glowing flowers sprout from the crevices, which reminds me of Hazel’s magic. Overhead, the overlapping greens and golds from the leaves make this place seem enchanted. When the sunlight hits the water, its surface becomes a kaleidoscope of blues and greens.

“This is just . . . wow,” I murmur.

“Yeah . . . Stunning.”

I turn back to find him already looking at me.

Adrian joins me by the water, his gaze never leaving me. The quiet between us is more restorative than I thought would ever be possible. The temptation to lean my head on his shoulder like I did yesterday is unbelievably strong as he joins my side. I’veneverfelt this before.

I was always the strong daughter, the one who didn’t want or need help. I know now how toxic that idea is, but I’ve felt like a stranger in my own skin since my desires started changing.

But, with Adrian by my side, that feeling fades away into oblivion, with the warmth of his presence and the brightness of his smile being the only things I can focus on.

“You feel like standing in the sunlight,” I murmur to Adrian.

Oh, crap.WHAT DID I JUST SAY!?

His face softens and, just like that, my racing heart calms.

“You feel like sunlight too.”

Butterflies. Freakingbutterflieserupt in my stomach.

His eyes fall to my mouth, the sun making his eyes sparkle like emeralds.

My heart’s racing again for an entirely different reason.

But then the worst, and I do mean the worst, thing happens.

The temperature drops slightly and gray clouds take over the sky.

Adrian’s entire body tenses and the moment shatters.

Crap, this isn’t good.

Adrian

My pulse races as the sky turns an oppressive gray. I spring to my feet, panic hitting my bloodstream.

“Adrian!” Stella calls as she hurries after me.

Shit, shit, shit.

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