Page 44 of Broken Souls

“Thank you for the help, again.” She fidgets with her shoes.

I nod and head outside. Ghost is lying on the ground by the fire, gently snoring. I guess no predators are around if our guard dog is so chill.

Wait a minute.Our?Our as in fellow campers. That’s it.

I go back to the log and pull the food from my backpack. Shit, I forgot plates.

“Do you have plates?” I call out to her.

“Yeah, one. Why?”

“I brought us some food, but it’s in a very narrow thermos.” I shake it in the air. “Fuck, I don’t have any utensils either.”

“I got it!” Her face brightens before dimming in an instant. “But only one spoon.”

“Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking when I was getting ready.” I scratch the back of my head.

“Probably how to save your stupid neighbor.” She winks.

“Probably. C’mere.” I gesture for her to come closer. “I’ll get you dinner.”

She digs into her bottomless bag and takes out a bowl. I pile up a huge portion of the steaming pasta and pass it to her. She sits next to me—half a foot closer this time—and takes a bite. I start getting mine ready when I’m stopped by her loud moan. She throws her head back with closed eyes. Holy motherfucking shit, if it’s not the ultimate trial of my willpower, I don’t know what is.

“It’s so ho-o-od!” she mumbles, trying to open her mouth so the hot food won’t burn it. “Like so fleakin’ hod!”

Her mumbling is adorable, and I can’t help but laugh. “That’s just the fresh air talking. You worked up an appetite.”

“Nah.” She shoves another spoonful into her mouth. “It’s really good.”

Ghost lazily lifts his head and looks at miserable old me, suffering the consequences of her moan, before he rolls his eyes and puts his head back on his outstretched paws.

“Wait.” She swallows the food she’s been chewing. “We have only one spoon and only one plate.” She offers me her spoon with a small smile. “I don’t have cooties.”

I used to eat after my sister when she was little, but that was a long time ago. Since then, I’ve never shared my food or plate or spoon with anyone. Even hated drinking water from the same bottle after my girlfriends. I’m okay with licking a pussy, but sharing a spoon? No, thank you. And here, I find myself grabbing the spoon that had just been in her mouth and digging it into the pasta, then bringing it to my own lips.

My taste buds instantly explode with different flavors: beef, tomatoes, spice, and I swear I get a hint of vanilla. I glance at Alicia. Her eyes are trained on my lips as I slowly chew. I swallow and lick my lips clean. Her throat works in a rough swallow of her own, and her eyes dart up to mine. Her pupils widen and her eyes dart around as if she’s been caught doing something naughty. I feel a smile tugging on my lips.

“It’s really all right.” My smile spreads when I fail contain my entertainment.

“What about Ghost?”

“He ate before we left. I packed him a puppy snack in the bag for before bed so he’s good until tomorrow morning.”

“The bed.”

“Yeah. He likes to chew his doggy bone before he goes to sleep.”

“You’re staying here?” She looks shocked.

Now I’m shocked. “Did you really think I was gonna leave you here alone with the bears?”

Her eyes fill with horror as I watch her. “Bears?”

“Yeah. Are you not from Maine?”

“I am.” Her tone is a bit hesitant, and I remember I know nothing about her.

“Then you know all about bears.” I shrug and shove another spoonful in my mouth.