Page 40 of Emerald Moon (Pitch Mountain Pack #2)
twenty-seven
The morning air was still cooler than it would be later in the day, but the stickiness clung to Jo’s skin as they followed beside Cass up the trail they were hiking.
They weren’t feeling the itch to race ahead to get to the scenery.
Instead they were content to go at Cass’ slower pace so they could be together and enjoy the journey.
Cass was, naturally, in a bird-dotted shirt buttoned all the way up to the top, despite the heat they’d be facing later. She had her notebook out along with her phone, ready to document birds they saw on their hike.
Jo was ready, too, in their band t-shirt and hiking boots.
They had the same notebook Cass had given them last time and a pencil.
Last night, they’d even stayed up late checking out what birds they could expect to see during the season so they could impress Cass with all their new bird knowledge.
It was one of the few nights this past week they hadn’t stayed in Cass’ room.
They sprinkled in the facts they’d learned as they made note of the birds they saw just so they could watch the way Cass’ eyes lit up each time. The quick, stolen kisses on the side of the trail were nice, too.
It took ages to reach the campsite with all their stops along the way, but Jo had a notebook filled with notes and couldn’t care less about how long it took — except for the heat.
“I’m dying. It’s so hot. I’m so sweaty and gross.” Jo flopped down on a log after they dumped their camping backpacks and supplies.
“You’re sweaty, but you’re not gross,” Cass disagreed, settling beside them.
“You sure about that?” Jo pushed their sweat-slicked hair out of their face.
Cass pressed a kiss to their forehead.
They shot backwards, clasping a hand to their forehead. “But I’m so salty right now! That had to have been disgusting.”
She shrugged. “You’re seasoned well.”
They burst out laughing, falling into Cass’ side. “What am I? A pot roast?”
“My little pot roast.”
Jo glanced at the other campers at sites nearby and, making sure no one was looking this way, traced their fingertips along Cass’ jaw and guided their lips together. The kiss was quick, but it made them forget how tired they were. Happiness overtook everything else.
They set up their campsite, showered off the day at the facilities a short walk away, and grilled sausages from the butcher shop for dinner because Cass had refused to buy regular hot dogs.
Jo had to admit they were better, even if hot dogs were classic.
They debated lighting a fire or not, because it was so humid that night, but eventually they decided that s’mores were a must, even if it was too hot.
“I’m so full of sugar. I’m buzzing. I’m never going to sleep tonight.” Jo licked chocolate from their fingers.
Cass leaned in to whisper, “I can think of a few things we could do instead of sleep.”
Jo waggled their eyebrows in response, exaggerating the motion to get a laugh out of Cass. “Yeah, I’ve got a pretty good book I’m reading. Could keep me up all night long.”
Cass shot them a look that said that clearly wasn’t what she meant, but she said, “What’s it about?”
“So, it’s this manhwa, right? It’s got everything. Historical fantasy. Fated mates. Reincarnation. Gay as hell.”
Cass chuckled. “I brought a book about bridges.”
“Are you into bridges?”
“Not really, but don’t I seem like someone who should be into bridges?”
“You’ve already got birds!”
“I need to branch out.”
“Were there no new bird books at the bookstore?” Jo guessed.
From the look on Cass’ face, they were right. They giggled at the dusting of pink visible on her cheeks in the firelight.
“I have other interests — sometimes,” Cass said.
“I’ve seen your room. I know you contain multitudes.”
“All the times you’ve been in my room, I thought you might be too busy to get a good look around.”
Jo felt their cheeks warm. It’d been hard to stay away from Cass’ room whenever the invitation was there, even if all they did sometimes was talk and cuddle until they fell asleep.
That night it was a little too warm and sticky to cuddle, but they did it anyway, with Jo resting on Cass’ outstretched arm, pressed tight along her side.
“As much I love Krista, I’m glad we were tossed together alone that first night,” Jo said, closing their eyes as they snuggled up closer. “Even if I had no idea you were trying to kiss me.”
“I need to work on my moves so you know they’re happening.”
“I think you do a good job now! And you probably did a good job then, too, but I was internally screaming and couldn’t figure it out.” Jo laughed and kissed the side of her neck.
“If I kissed you now, you’d know I meant it.”
Jo tilted their head back and their eyes met. Cass rubbed their noses together, her hand brushing along their cheek. They fluttered their eyes shut as Cass kissed them, tender and sweet. There was no doubt this time, no panic, no guessing. This time, Jo knew they were loved.