Page 11 of Home Stretch

“Are we hiking today?” she asks as she takes my arm. I chuckle.

“No, just going right over there.”

Malia takes off her too-tight shoes a few steps later when we reach the edge of the rock. She turns to me, gifting me with another brilliant smile.

“I brought some blankets for us,” I say as I place them on the flat rock where we’ll have our picnic.

“How did you find this place?” Malia asks as I start to unpack the cooler.

“I had to do a project for a science class my freshman year, and I came out here to do some research. I made friends with some park rangers, and they showed me some hidden spots.”

“That’s so cool!”

“Yeah, this is my favorite spot. I come here quite a bit.”

“Well, thanks for sharing it with me.”

“Of course, angel.”

I pass her a bottle of water and then start spreading the food. I went to Sequoia Market this afternoon and got food from the deli. Potato salad, fried chicken, imported olives, some chips, and brownies for dessert. I lay all of it around us, and Malia smiles as she pops an olive into her mouth.

“I love these things.”

“I know,” I blurt out.

“You do?”

“Yeah, you eat them like every day. Every time I see you on campus, it seems like you’re eating olives.”

She blushes, but her eyes stay locked on me.

“Do you watch me a lot?” she asks quietly. I swallow thickly, knowing I won’t be able to lie.

“Yeah,” I admit. She full-on grins at me, her blue eyes sparkling in the fading light.

“Good.”

I thought she would be freaked out or maybe uncomfortable with my confession. This girl is always surprising me, and I love it.

I hold out my hand to help her climb onto the rock where our food is, but instead of taking it, Malia pulls me closer, letting me know she’s hungry for something else.

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