Page 7
seven
A s Saturday dawned, anticipation hummed through my veins. I hadn’t expected to be this excited to spend the day hiking with Zeke, sweating, stumbling, and braving the trail. It felt less like a simple hike and more like the start of an adventure.
I dressed with purpose, opting for black shorts and a fitted white tank top to stay cool under the sun. A lightweight jacket knotted around my waist completed the look. I braided my hair into two neat French braids, a small touch that made the day feel more significant.
I crept out of my bedroom, hoping to escape Reggie’s attention. But as I glanced into his room, I was met with an unsettling emptiness. The bed was unmade, the curtains open, and the space carried that familiar, heavy scent of absence. Typical Reggie—always leaving me to wonder where he was, or more likely, what he was up to.
With a quiet sigh, I padded downstairs, my bare feet barely making a sound on the old wooden steps. My trusty hiking boots waited in the corner, their scuffed toes and worn soles a testament to countless trails. Slipping them on, I felt that same weight and comfort, like they were an extension of me.
I grabbed my backpack, the soft rustle of nylon and snap of the fasteners grounding me. I’d done this a hundred times before, but today felt different. The routine, once automatic, now settled me in a way that surprised me.
Before I left, I scribbled a quick note to Reggie on an old piece of notebook paper: “Hiking all day, be back for dinner,” I wrote, blunt and to the point. The magnet on the fridge clicked softly as I pressed the note in place. I grabbed my keys and stepped outside, the crisp fall air filling my lungs. The world felt alive in that fleeting moment, vibrant, fresh, full of possibilities.
I followed my usual routine and chose to walk to the trailhead. It was only a few miles, but a good warm-up for my legs and a chance to clear my head before the hike.
As I neared the entrance, a sleek black BMW coasted to a stop, its engine purring like a finely tuned machine. Zeke stepped out, a confident smile spreading across his face, his eyes squinting against the bright morning light as they found me.
Seeing him outside a tailored suit was strange, but it only made him more magnetic. His black cargo pants and fitted shirt clung to his frame, the contours of his muscles so sharply defined that my breath hitched.
“What a morning!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands up, his whole body alive with excitement. He inhaled, slow and deep, as though the early hours themselves were something he could bottle up and keep. “The sun’s out, the birds are singing…it’s going to be an amazing hike. I can feel it!”
I shot him a playful, mock-scolding look, eyebrow raised as I gave him a quick once-over. “Uh, someone’s had a little too much coffee this morning.”
His grin faltered, but then he burst out laughing. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Should’ve skipped that extra espresso shot.”
Still chuckling, he ducked back into the car, grabbed his backpack, and slung it effortlessly over his shoulder before strolling over to join me.
We headed toward the trailhead, the entrance barely visible beneath a tangle of branches and debris. Zeke’s expression shifted to skepticism as he eyed the dense foliage ahead. “You sure this is it?” he asked. “Looks a little…sketchy.”
I couldn’t resist. Dropping my voice into a low, exaggerated imitation of his, I teased, “What happened to ‘I live for the rush of adrenaline?’”
He rolled his eyes but was unable to suppress the amusement that tugged at his lips. “First of all,” he said, raising a finger, “I don’t sound like that. And second, that’s not even close to what I said.”
I stepped forward, gently pushing aside a tangle of shrubbery to reveal the trail’s entrance. Turning back to him, I gave him a reassuring smile. “Relax. The beginning might look a little shady, but it gets better, I promise.”
His cautious gaze lingered on the path, but with a resigned sigh, he ducked beneath the branch I held up. The leaves brushed against the fabric of his pack as he moved, and the muted sunlight filtering through the canopy above cast a soft, intricate web of shadows across the forest floor. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and damp soil.
Once he was through, I followed, slipping under and into the cool, emerald stillness of the woods. The towering trees enveloped us, their branches twisting together overhead like a cathedral’s vaulted ceiling. The quiet was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves, as if the forest itself was alive, waiting.
His face was neutral, though his features betrayed a subtle hint of playfulness. He shot me a sideways glance, adjusting the strap of his backpack with casual ease, like it was nothing more than a passing thought. “Honestly,” he said, rolling his neck in a slow, exaggerated motion, “I’m still not convinced you didn’t bring me out here to off me.”
I stared at him in shock as I carefully stepped over a large rock. “ You’re the one who asked me to come out here,” I replied, widening my eyes for emphasis. “And you’re, like…a giant compared to me!” I gestured to his towering frame, clearly unbothered while I was stumbling on the uneven path.
He leaned in slightly, his posture relaxed but his focus sharp, as if savoring the moment. “Trust me,” he said, and somehow it felt like more than just words. “I’m not foolish enough to underestimate you just because you’re small.”
I bumped him lightly with my shoulder, the nudge throwing him off balance for a moment. “Brains and charm. Who knew?” I teased, the banter making me feel unexpectedly at ease.
We pressed on through the dense woods. The atmosphere had an eerie, almost cinematic quality, like we were walking through the set of a slasher film. I had no doubt Zeke felt the creeping tension, even if he didn’t admit it .
“I’m impressed you know where you’re going,” he said, his voice a mix of respect and uncertainty. His eyes flicked around the area, then checked behind him, like he was making sure the trail hadn’t vanished. “You mentioned the path was minimal, but…I don’t see any trace of one.” He paused, brow furrowed. “I can’t imagine where I’d be if I came alone.”
I shrugged, my arms swinging casually at my sides. “Probably walking off a cliff,” I quipped, the dry humor slipping easily off my tongue. “Nature’s way of keeping things interesting.”
He laughed, a deep, genuine sound that seemed to fill the space, as if the idea of plummeting to his doom was somehow amusing. “Guess it’s a good thing I can defy gravity.”
His laughter lingered in the woods, lightening the air like a sudden breeze. It was the kind of sound that enveloped you, made everything feel…safer. Without realizing it, I felt my walls start to crack.
I shook my head, still processing what he’d said. Defy gravity. He’d said it like he meant it—like it wasn’t a joke at all. I was still trying to make sense of his quirks. “You’re seriously weird, you know that?”
He glanced ahead, the slight tilt of his head acknowledging my words. No reply necessary. His casual shrug said more than words could, and for some reason, it made me smile .
After a while, the thick undergrowth thinned, and the silence of the woods lifted as our footsteps echoed louder, bouncing off the trees. We emerged from the dense thicket, and ahead, the cliff waited, stretching toward the sky in quiet, majestic glory. The rhythmic lapping of water against the rocks below filled the air, a soothing melody complemented by the occasional trill of a bird nearby.
Zeke came to a halt, his gaze fixed on the view in front of him. He rested his hands on his hips, completely absorbed by the raw beauty of the scene. He appeared momentarily lost in it, his expression one of pure awe. His voice was a hushed whisper, as if the sight had stolen the words right out of his mouth. “Wow…it’s…wow,” he breathed.
Warmth spread through me at his reaction. “Yeah, pretty impressive,” I said, nodding toward the horizon. For a moment, I remembered the first time I saw this view—alone, with the same expansive landscape stretched out before me. But it felt different now, standing beside Zeke. Something lingered in the air, a quiet shift I couldn’t quite name.
Energy welled up in my chest, sudden and electrifying. I smiled, tipping my head toward the trail. “But trust me, the best part’s still ahead.”
I started making my way down the steep, rocky path leading to the base of the cliff, each step carrying a light bounce as I motioned for him to follow. Zeke hesitated just long enough for me to notice a flicker in his eyes, something deeper than curiosity, more than the wonder of a first-time visitor. But it disappeared before I could understand it.
As we descended, the waterfall’s call grew louder, long before we caught sight of it. The ground beneath our boots sloped gently, and the trees parted, offering tantalizing glimpses of turquoise water glimmering through the branches.
Rounding the final curve, the full magnificence of the falls burst into view. It cascaded down the rock face in a silken veil of liquid silver, its mist catching the light and creating a thousand tiny rainbows in the air. The sight was so breathtaking that it almost felt surreal.
Zeke stopped in his tracks, his mouth forming a low, impressed whistle. “Whoa, Bryn, you were right!” he exclaimed, his eyes taking in the surroundings. But there was something in his gaze, something fleeting, that told me he recognized this place in a way he wasn’t willing to admit. A shadow of recognition, quickly masked by his usual relaxed demeanor.
I gave him a light clap on the back, the gesture easy and familiar. “You’ll learn that’s usually the case,” I teased, giving him a playful wink as I looked up at him. His guarded expression made me pause, wondering what secrets he was keeping hidden. But I brushed the thought aside .
For now, I was content basking in the moment, the thrill of showing someone this secret place, the rush of the waterfall’s power, and the easy camaraderie between us. Maybe I was starting to trust Zeke more than I had intended…but for once, it didn’t feel like such a bad thing.
I wandered over to a nearby rock, dropping my backpack beside me before collapsing onto its rough surface, the texture biting into my skin. Following my usual ritual, I kicked off my hiking boots and peeled off my socks, letting my feet dip into the cool, refreshing water.
Zeke strode over to join me, tossing his pack to the ground. Without hesitation, he followed suit, shedding his boots and socks before rolling up his pant legs and dunking his feet into the crystal-clear liquid beside mine.
I reclined against the rock, shutting my eyes as the waterfall's roar filled the air. The steady rush was like a lullaby, its rhythm slowly washing away the burden of everything—the worries, the noise, the chaos of daily life. In that instant, it felt like none of it mattered anymore.
He leaned back slightly, his gaze fixed on me, like he was trying to unravel the mystery in front of him. “So...how often do you come here? Got a big group of friends you usually hike with, or am I crashing your secret spot? ”
I cracked one eye open, squinting in the sunlight before snapping it shut again. “As pathetic as it sounds, I don’t have any friends,” I confessed, exhaling softly. “I’ve been coming here for years…always alone.”
Zeke’s features relaxed into a warm, sincere look. “That’s not true,” he said, his tone genuine. “I’m your friend now.”
I straightened up on the rock, gazing at the torrent of crystal water plunging over the cliff, its misty veil rising into the air like a shimmering curtain. A small smile crept onto my face. “Yeah, that’s true,” I said, feeling an unexpected swell of gratitude toward him. But the smile faded as I sighed, adding quietly, “Until you go back to New York, that is.”
He shook his head. “Nope, even then. Best friends forever.” It sounded like a done deal. Glancing at his wrist, he held it up and inspected it. “We’ll need bracelets or something.”
I chuckled, ready to tease him back, but then something in the way his profile caught the light made me pause. A strange pull tugged at me, a sense of familiarity I couldn’t shake. It was as if I’d known him far longer than just a few weeks. The thought slipped out before I could hold it back. “I feel like I’ve known you forever. It’s…strange.”
Zeke turned toward me, his gaze intense, as if searching for something hidden deep within, something I hadn’t even uncovered yet. His eyes gleamed with an unreadable spark, a hint of knowing that left me feeling exposed.
“Hmm…” He paused, his voice low, almost introspective. “Maybe we knew each other in a past life.”
A breathy laugh escaped me, the idea so far-fetched it almost made me scoff. “Yeah, we must’ve been best friends in that life, too.”
His eyes held mine, steady and unrelenting, as if peeling back the layers of my lighthearted words to find something deeper. “I’m certain of it,” he said with quiet conviction before casually leaning back against the rock. His hands laced behind his head, his posture effortlessly relaxed, and his eyelids fluttered shut. “You were probably obsessed with me, building shrines and whatnot.”
I blinked at him, my face stoic, but a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I said nothing, but the look I gave him said it all.
He cracked open one eye, catching my gaze, and then burst out laughing. “KIDDING…sort of.”
I nudged him playfully in the side, and he let out a grunt, pushing himself up on his elbows. “Now that we’re officially friends in this life, I feel like I should know more about you. What do you do for fun, besides making those beautiful dresses?”
I paused to think. The truth was, there wasn’t much spare time to begin with. “That’s pretty much it,” I said. “Hiking, obviously. But mostly it’s just the diner and trying to keep my house from falling apart. My schedule doesn’t leave much room for hobbies.”
His gaze dropped to my wedding ring, hovering there long enough to make me notice. “Your husband…what’s he like?” His voice was level, careful, but something in it made me uneasy, like he already knew the answer and was waiting to see if I’d lie.
I hesitated, unsure how much I wanted to reveal. The truth was complicated. My husband was a ticking time bomb, always on edge, always smiling for the crowd. Living with him was like walking a tightrope, and I was tired of balancing.
I took a slow breath, carefully considering how to phrase it. “The best way to describe him…” I paused, formulating my thought, “he dances to the beat of his own drum.”
Zeke’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to read the hidden layers beneath my words. “Is that a blessing or a curse?”
I gave a small, stiff shrug and managed a sad, awkward smile. “Hard to say. With Reggie…you never really know what you’re going to get.”
His face stayed unreadable, though the tension in his jaw said he was still trying to piece together the emotions I’d just laid bare.
I turned toward him, letting my gaze hold his, hoping he could read the truth in my eyes. “He’s not just some character in someone else’s story,” I said, careful with my words. “He’s the protagonist of his own.”
Zeke’s expression softened, as though he were unraveling the situation without me having to say more. He lingered on his thoughts for a second, his gaze steady, before asking, his voice tinged with a subtle understanding, “So, you’re saying he’s only looking out for himself, and everyone else is just…an afterthought?”
The simplicity of the question struck me with brutal clarity. A lump formed in my throat as I turned away, stirring the water with my feet as I avoided his gaze. “Unfortunately, yeah,” I said quietly. “That’s Reggie in a nutshell. He’s always been that way. I’ve learned to accept it.”
The way he looked at me, it was as if he truly saw me—like he could see the burden of all the years I’d spent dancing around that reality. “So...I guess it’s not exactly a love story for the ages, huh?”
The question hit me like a punch to the gut, and I couldn’t help but laugh, albeit hollowly. “Love? Please ,” I said, shaking my head. “Love is just a myth. A fantasy to distract us from the harsh realities of life. People cling to it because they’re afraid of being alone.”
There was a long, pregnant silence, the rush of the waterfall swelling in the stillness. I turned to face him again, and this time, I saw it. There, in the depths of his eyes, a flicker of sorrow, a ghost of pain that he couldn’t quite conceal .
My heart tightened, and without thinking, I asked, “Have you ever been in love?”
He swallowed, the sound thick in the air, and for a moment, I thought he might not answer. But then, his voice broke the silence, soft, fragile.
“Yes…”
The word lingered, its significance far heavier than its simple syllables suggested.
He raked a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his face like a shadow he couldn’t shake. Leaning forward, he let his fingers skim the water’s surface, his gaze fixed on the waterfall’s cascade, searching for something in its endless flow. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and thick with emotion, each word etched into the silence, laden with unspoken meaning.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to know what it means to love with everything I am,” he said, his gaze distant, filled with a quiet longing. “Love you fight for, die for, live for. The kind that never fades, no matter what you face. It's relentless. You’d give up anything for it…no matter the cost.”
As he spoke, his words felt like a glimpse into his soul, raw and unguarded. There was a beauty in that vulnerability, an invitation to understand him in a way no one else ever had. His love for her, whoever she was, was something deep and undying.
I was captivated, my heart clouded with an unfamiliar sorrow. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I finally released it, hesitating before asking, “What happened to her?”
A faint tremor ran through him as he exhaled, his body shaking. The words that followed were so soft they barely reached me, a fragile confession that made my stomach twist. “She’s gone.”
Without thinking, I placed my hand on his, offering a silent gesture of comfort. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered, my voice faltering in the face of his grief. “You’re still deeply in love with her, aren’t you?”
Zeke looked down at our joined hands, blinking as if the touch alone was too much to bear. Slowly, his focus lifted to mine, and what I saw there made my heart ache. His stare cut through the sadness clinging to him, raw and unguarded.
“I will love her until my very last breath,” he said, his voice thick with a devotion that bordered on desperation. “And even then…” He choked on the words, eyes closing tight as if shutting out the pain. His jaw flexed, throat working against the strain of everything he couldn’t say, everything he didn’t want to believe was true.
His confession hit me harder than anything he'd said before, leaving me with the sense that I was witnessing something sacred. To love so completely, with such intensity—it was a kind of love I could barely comprehend. But the power of it wove itself into the still air, impossible to ignore .
Then, as if pulling himself together, he took a deep breath and stood, resolve settling over him. He gave my fingers a light squeeze before releasing them, his posture straightening with quiet determination.
“Time to shake off the gloom,” he said, his eyes suddenly alight with a teasing glint. Leaning slightly forward, he met my gaze, almost as though inviting me into the moment. “Up for a quick swim with me?”
I sat there for a beat, my heart still carrying the weight of everything that had come before. But Zeke’s infectious spirit was a welcome change, his playful energy sparking something inside me. I exhaled, feeling the tightness in my shoulders ease. A sense of relief washed over me, lifting the strain just enough to make room for something lighter.
It wasn’t just the invitation. It was the effortless, freeing way he made it sound.
Without realizing it, I mirrored his expression, the tension easing as my own smile took shape. Before I knew it, my face lit up with excitement. “I’m in! Let’s do it!” I exclaimed, jumping to my feet.
In one swift motion, he shed his shirt, revealing a sculpted torso that flexed with each movement. His bronzed skin gleamed in the sunlight, leaving me momentarily stunned by how effortlessly attractive he was. My God, he was beautiful .
Next, he peeled off his pants, revealing sleek black shorts underneath. Clearly, he had come prepared for this moment. My eyes followed his every move, captivated. He caught me staring and flashed a cheeky grin.
“On your marks, get set…” he called out. Then, with a whoop of excitement, he sprinted toward the deeper water. “Last one in buys ice cream!”
Without thinking, I surged with exhilaration, yanking off my tank top and tossing it aside. In my bright purple sports bra, I felt bold and confident as I raced after him, laughing all the way to the water’s edge.
By the time we started the hike back, our bodies were drained, our clothes clinging to us with the dampness from the swim. My usually lively curls had become a wild, frizzy mess, making me look like a bedraggled escapee from some institution.
Despite the exhaustion, joy rose in me, wild and almost uncontainable. It was the most unadulterated fun I’d had in years.
Zeke smirked, glancing over at me. “Your hair is absolutely, utterly wild right now!” he announced, lifting his arms like he was witnessing a masterpiece. “I’m obsessed with it.”
I narrowed my eyes, sending a sideways glance his way as I raised an eyebrow. “You’re such a liar.”
With a hand pressed to his chest, he recoiled dramatically. “I am shocked, SHOCKED, that you would even suggest such a thing!” Theatrics practically dripped from every syllable.
I fought the urge to smile, keeping my tone flat. “Please, I’ll be scarred for life by your false praise,” I said, though the twitch of my lips gave me away.
We left the trail behind, and the warm, golden light of the afternoon sun washed over us, as if the world itself was welcoming us back into civilization. Zeke scanned the area, his eyes searching for my vehicle. “So, where’d you park?” he asked with genuine curiosity.
I looked down, embarrassed, the flush creeping up my neck. “I walked,” I admitted. “My car’s been acting up lately, but I live just around the corner, so it’s no big deal.”
His expression softened with sympathy. “Ah, okay. Well, let me take you home, then. After all that hiking and swimming, you’re probably ready to collapse.”
I hesitated, my thoughts flashing to Reggie. If he ever got even a hint that Zeke had driven me—or worse, saw us together—well, that would be a whole new set of problems. I forced a smile, brushing the concern aside.
“Thanks, but I’m good. I actually kind of enjoy the walk,” I said, my voice light, hoping he wouldn’t push. I knew if Reggie found out, he’d make my life miserable, and I wasn’t ready to face that.
He studied me for what felt like an eternity, then gave a half-hearted shrug. “Guess this is goodbye, then.” He held out his hand in a formal, palm open gesture that felt a little too official for our laid-back vibe.
I stared at his hand, bewildered. Was he serious? Was he really trying to shake my hand like we were strangers or something?
Before I could say anything, laughter spilled from him, a rich, throaty sound that sent a spike of delight through me. “Oh, dear, you look horrified,” he said, his grin widening. “I just thought it’d be fun to have a secret handshake, like all the cool best friends do.”
I giggled, feeling a little silly, but surprisingly excited. “You’re crazy, you know that?” But as I looked up at him, I realized I was kind of into it. “Okay, fine. Let’s do this.”
Our secret handshake was nothing short of ridiculous: a thumbs-up, followed by a quick finger wiggle, then a mini fist bump. But the best part came at the end. We both threw our hands up in the air, palms facing each other, and made the most absurd “exploding” sound effect with our mouths. It was a masterpiece of goofy gestures, and it was ours.
As we parted ways, Zeke shot me a look of satisfaction. “We’re definitely the coolest people I know,” he said, his voice full of pride. “I’ll catch you later. We’ll have to plan our next adventure soon.”
“For sure!” I called after him, watching as he slid behind the wheel and pulled away. I remained rooted to the spot for a moment, my gaze lingering on the now-empty road, the low hum of his engine fading into the distance. And for some reason, I felt lighter than I had in a long time. Like maybe this new friendship was exactly what I needed.