Page 40 of Closer than Ever

“So, first day of the trip,” Hayley said, eyes peering out from under all the covers. “How would you say it went?”

Anna looked up from her phone. “I was just thinking about that.”

“I got the feeling you were.”

“You’ve already pushed me outside my comfort zone and challenged me to a dare, so I guess I’m a little terrified for what comes next.”

Hayley laughed, loudly, as if from her belly. This went on for some time. “Oh Anna, just you wait.”

“The tone in your voice is rather unsettling.”

“I just want to bring out your inner wolf.”

“Mmm.”

“On that note. Do you want to go to that adventure park we passed on the way here? It looked so exciting. Climbing and flying through the trees like that.”

Anna crossed her arms. She knew this was going to happen. “You’re adding in extreme sports on the first day?”

“It’s fit for ten-year-olds. It’s hardly an extreme sport.”

“It’s not on the list.”

“Isn’t this me giving you advanced notice?”

“I’m not keen on heights. Maybe you could go yourself and I’ll watch and take pictures while sipping coffee with my feet firmly on the ground.”

“Anna, is your nerve denying you?” She wagged a finger.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Okay.”

Anna shook her head, smiling, despite herself. “You’re a nightmare.”

“You love it.”

“Debatable.”

Hayley yawned. “I’m going to sleep. Are you coming to bed yet?”

Anna looked up, painfully aware of how close she was going to be to Hayley for the foreseeable future. She’d installed an extension to the fitted bed structure, but it still seemed too small. “Soon.”

“What are you doing?”

“Planning our route for tomorrow.”

“Oh that can wait. You must be tired.”

How long could Anna avoid sleeping next to her? Was there any point in being on the trip unless she could relax into it and be around Hayley without feeling like she was hiding something? “Maybe I am a little tired.” Anna put her phone down and crossed the campervan. Hayley moved over to give her more space. Anna unzipped her sleeping bag and slipped inside, already ready for bed. She fidgeted with her pillow. As Anna got settled she felt Hayley watch her the entire time, right beside her.

“Would you like some more duvet or blanket?” Hayley said.

“No thanks. I already feel too warm.”

“You must run a lot hotter than I do.”

Anna couldn’t deal with Hayley being even mildly flirty this close to bedtime. It made her… uncomfortable. “I don’t know how you managed swimming in the freezing loch today. You did well.”

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