Page 74 of The Road Less Traveled By

“Absolutely. That’s my favorite part of all this. When you get to the top and you see the world from the peak, it all seems so…pointless. Going through all that effort to climb and then getting to the top and seeing everything from a different perspective helps me to remember what’s important in my own life.”

I can only nod my head in understanding. “I can’t wait to see it.”

“Only about two thousand more feet to go, but there's a small opening up ahead where we can rest. I have snacks and water for us and Nell.”

“Sounds good to me.”

We walk in silence until the opening comes into view a few minutes later, and I pause on the rock to take it all in. I see another mountain in the distance that looks a little smaller than the one we’re climbing, and Vince was right—everything does look so much smaller from up here, and we aren't even at the top yet.

Vince hands me a granola bar and a water bottle, our hands brushing, and I feel goosebumps start to spread across my skin.

Did he feel it, too?

He looks down at where his hand is outstretched, then up at me, before he shakes out of the haze and grabs some water for Nellie.

God, all these minor touches between us are going to drive me insane. It’s definitely not one-sided, based on the way he keeps looking at me.

About halfway through my granola bar, I see Vince’s hand in front of me, and when I look up, he’s holding a hair tie out.

“For your hair. I can tell it’s been bothering you.”

I stare in disbelief at his hand before I take it from him. “Where did you get this?”

“I keep one on my wrist, just in case.”

If I was standing, I might’ve collapsed. This rock is barely holding up my weight after hearing him say that. I don't want to jump to theconclusion that he keeps it on his wrist for me, but it sure looks that way.How have I not noticed that before?

“Thank you,” is all I manage to say before I stand. “Ready to keep going?”

“Let’s hit it,” he says as he collects Nellie’s travel bowl and puts it into his bag. “Come on, Nell. Let’s go, girl.”

And I know for certain that I’m fucked as he continues on the path up the mountain because I can’t stop staring at his ass and thinking about how nice it is to be in his company all the time. Especially like this—us together on a hike. It’s something he loves doing, and the fact that he’s sharing it with me makes me think he doesn't mind my company too much, either.

Three hours and someconversation later, we’ve finally reached the peak. The two of us are the only ones up here, and it feels otherworldly when we break through the trees that block the top of the path. All I can see is blue sky and white clouds as we hike. My legs feel like jelly, and I can barely feel them as I lay down on the first flat patch of rock I can find.

“Oh my God, my legs don’t exist anymore. I can barely feel them.”

“Come on, angel. You don't wanna miss the view. It’s better from the other side.” He reaches down and grabs my hand, pulling me up. The feel of his hand in mine as we walk to the other side of the peak has me thinking way too many things.

But the entire time we were climbing, I didn't try to escape my mind. Vince and I kept up a pretty good conversation, and even in the quiet moments when we weren't speaking, my head remained silent.

For the first time in months, I didn't feel like escaping the moment. I wanted to be there listening to the sound of Vince breathing as wewalked, hearing my own as I trudged up the mountain, feeling more alive than I have in years.

Vince was right. Hiking really does have some sort of healing powers, because I’ve never been so out of my head than I was when we were climbing.

“Close your eyes,” Vince says as he stops abruptly. Nellie continues in front of us and sniffs the rocks a bit before she lays down, soaking up the sun.

“Are you going to throw me off the top? Was this all a ploy to murder me? I have to admit, this is pretty smart of you. We’re all alone up here and—” I stop when I see him glaring at me, his eyes narrowed on my face.

“You of all people are the lowest on my murder list, Bree. You should know that.”

“Aww,” I say, a smile gracing my face. “Okay, since I trust you, I’ll close my eyes.”

“Thank you,” is all he says before he tightens his grip on my hand and starts us forward. A few seconds later, after he turns my body slightly left, I feel his hand on the small of my back. “Okay, you can open them now.”

The view in front of me is the most magnificent thing I’ve ever seen. It feels like I can reach up and touch the clouds, and the air feels cleaner up here for some reason. The sky's the most beautiful shade of pale blue, and miles and miles of trees cover the ground below. We’re practically surrounded by mountains in every direction, and as I take it all in, everything seems so small.

God, it’s heavenly. I turn to Vince behind me. “Thank you for bringing me up here.”

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