Page 31 of Grit

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“Good morning.”

Melissa let out a long breath. “Hey.”

Cary moved his backpack and sat next to her. He unzipped it and brought an olive-green canister out. “Tea?”

“Sure.”

She watched him fill the lid of the thermos and hand it to her. She took it and he brought out a water bottle, drinking half a liter before she could take a sip of tea.

Melissa watched him, watched the easy slope of his shoulders and the fine creases around his eyes. His silver and black hair was loose around his shoulders. There was no tension between his eyes. “I think this is the most relaxed I’ve ever seen you.”

Cary opened his mouth, then closed it as he smiled. “Bouldering is a nice way to start the morning.”

“You were going to say something else.”

“Yes.” He glanced at her. “But we’ve gone ten whole minutes without fighting, and I don’t want to break the streak.”

“What was it?” She leaned her head against the rock to watch him, enjoying the cool granite against her cheek. “I’ve never seen you so relaxed…” She smiled a little. “Because I’ve never seen you after sex?”

He smiled, and a rarely seen dimple appeared at the corner of his cheek. “Was that a suggestion?”

“A guess. That’s what you were going to say, isn’t it?” The dimple told Melissa she was right.

“How do you know so much about men’s brains?”

“I’ve spent my entire life on a cattle ranch. How do you know how to kiss so well?”

Cary set his water bottle down. “Look at us. We’re actually having a conversation.”

“Kind of.” She shifted toward him. “You’re ignoring my question.”

“That’s not a question you ask.” He lifted his arm and moved to put it around her but paused. “I’m sweaty.”

“And I smell like horses.”

Cary shrugged and moved his arm to encircle her, shifting her so she was sitting between his legs and leaning against his chest. It wasn’t the first time they’d sat close. It wasn’t the first time his arm had been around her. But everything in this moment felt new. Untested. Fresh like the morning they’d intruded on.

Cary reached into his backpack and brought out a nectarine, then he unfolded his pocketknife and sliced off a piece before he put it to her lips.

Melissa ate it and enjoyed the burst of flavor against her tongue. It combined nicely with the green tea and honey he’d poured for her.

“So, Melissa Oxford Rhodes”—he sliced off another chunk of fruit and ate it—“are we ever going to talk about the two of us without you running away?”

“I keep coming back.” She took a deep breath and relaxed against his chest.

“Yeah.” He reached for the tea. “You do.”

“So.” She handed him the cup.

“So what does that mean?”

She rolled her eyes. Why were men so dense sometimes? “It means I keep coming back.”

He nudged her lips with another piece of nectarine. “I was thinking about what you said. About Calvin.”

Why did you have to bring that up?

“You’re not allowed to feel guilty for kissing me,” Cary said. “Not now. Not ever. Calvin’s been gone six years and there was neveranythingother than friendship between us when he was alive. His death never made you stop living before. You’re choosing to make it different this time.”