Page 30 of Puck Your Friend

We walk without saying much at first. The dirt trail crunches under our feet. The sun’s not as harsh now, but my back is warm.

He glances over. “You always show up when it matters, Frankie.”

I bump his arm lightly. “Yeah, well. I like winning when people are watching.”

Ford grins. “I mean that in more ways than just winning.”

I frown. “I don’t know what you mean?”

He shakes his head and rubs the back of his neck. “My words never come out right, but you’re a good person.”

I smile. “So are you.”

We keep going. The main trail forks near a sign. Ford veers right without slowing down. I hesitate, then follow.

“This part doesn’t look familiar. You sure this is still on the camp property?”

He lifts a branch for me and doesn’t answer.

I duck under it and step around a patch of low brambles. “You’re not gonna tell me if we’re lost, are you?”

Ford chuckles. “You getting nervous?”

I side-eye him. “I’m not the one leading us into potential doom without a map.”

A corner of his mouth twitches. The trail narrows and curves. Grass overtakes the path. Then we step out of the trees.

My jaw drops. A meadow spreads out in front of us with a rainbow of colors is scattered in every direction: red, pink, yellow, violet, and white flowers sway in a warm breeze. Butterflies flutter around. It’s like something out of a dream.

I blink, then let out a breath. “No way.”

Pulling out my phone, I snap a few wide shots, then a couple of quick ones with him in the frame.

His laugh is soft. “Always with the camera.”

I shrug. “First time you’ve taken me somewhere like this.”

He tips his head toward the far side. “Follow me.”

We cut across the field until he finds a dry patch and drops into the grass. I sit beside him, my heartbeat a little quicker than I want it to be. I stretch out and lean on my elbows.

Ford leans back, too, his arms folded behind his head.

I glance at the clouds and point. “That cloud looks like a dragon.”

His brow furrows. “It’s a boot.”

I point again. “You’re looking too far right. There, the nose and wings. See it now?”

He squints, then nods. “Yup, it’s still a boot.”

I shake my head and sigh. “You’re hopeless.”

He rolls onto his side to face me, propping his head up with one hand. His other brushes mine and lingers.

Arching a brow, I notice even like this, he’s taller than me. “Do you do this with everyone?”

His fingers slide between mine. “No. You?”