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I’m not sure why I asked Autumn to join me at the campground.

I’m usually not so forthcoming with women, especially ones I’m attracted to, and she’s a definite beauty.

I first saw her when she stepped into The Decadent Freeze laughing with her friend.

Her smile gave me pause and stilled something inside of me that forced me to stop and stare for a minute.

I was catching her aura, and I caught all of it.

The vibes, the smile, her pleasant demeanor, the happiness on her face – it all attracted me immediately.

It was only after noticing those things that I realized just how beautiful she really was.

The beauty marks on her face – those exotic freckles – were scattered across her face like the magic of stardust. Her hair is black and curly at the ends.

She had a warm, golden complexion that exuded softness.

She’d be radiant beneath the sun. She’s warm.

Inviting. I can see the femininity glowing from her head to her feet.

She has an overall good spirit – the kind of person I need to be around.

That’s mainly why I wanted a chance to be close to her again.

I need to feel her aura, get to know her better, and find out what she’s about.

What’s her story? Where is she from? What are her dreams?

Who are her folks? So many questions and I have no answers.

I actually shouldn’t be having these questions, or this heightened desire to see her. I don’t want to lead her on in any way. I’m not sure what she’s thinking after our interaction earlier. Soon, I’ll find out, but that’s only if she shows up.

I pull up and park on gravel, then walk down the paved path where I know I’ll find my crew. I see the fire pit has already been lit. At first glance, it seems that everyone is here – well everyone except my new guest.

“Sup, Judah?” my friend Nico says from across the pit.

“Yo. What’s up, everybody?”

They all speak in unison. Most have alcoholic beverages. I don’t drink and since they know that, they make sure to stuff the cooler with water and a few sodas. I walk over, grab a bottle of water, and take my spot around the pit.

A bonfire…

The only good thing I like about a smoke pit on a summer night is, it keeps the mosquitos at bay. It would be apropos for the winter – maybe even late autumn.

Speaking of…

Autumn comes walking down the path towards us with her hands in the back pockets of her jeans. She doesn’t look nervous. She looks like she’s in her element. When her eyes spot me, she smiles. I believe I felt my heart skip several beats.

My God.

Through the heat waves the fire has produced, I see the delicate, most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.

She tossed her hair up in a ponytail. It was down earlier, hanging around her shoulders.

I’m glad it’s up because my eyes have the opportunity to feast upon her jawline.

Her chin. Her lips are full, lush and distinct.

Their size almost makes it impossible for me to stop staring at them.

They’re tinted with a shade of light pink gloss.

She walks right up to me and says, “Hi.”

I blink out of my trance, stand up, and say, “You made it.”

“Yeah, I did.”

I’m so mesmerized by her, my hands twitch with desire as I fight the urge to run my thumb across those beauty marks on her face.

She smiles again, probably wondering why I’m just standing here like I’ve lost my voice.

I have.

I’m in awe, enraptured by her radiance.

“Ay, Judah, who’s your friend?” I hear Nico ask. I’m glad he did because otherwise, I don’t think my eyes would’ve released babygirl.

I tell her, “Let me introduce you to my people.”

I clear my throat to get their attention then say, “Everyone, this is my friend, Autumn. Autumn, this is the crew.”

“Hi, everybody.”

“Hey, Autumn,” they say, welcoming her and then just as quickly resume conversing, dancing, and drinking.

“So, Autumn, can you come sit with me for a minute?”

“Sure.”

I invite her to sit in the camp chair, and I sit on the stump that’s right beside it.

“Uh…” I rub my sweaty palms on the pant legs of my jeans and try to conjure up words. That’s how breathtaking she is. And she smells like vanilla and cotton candy – sweet, soft, and warm.

She asks, “Do you all do this regularly?”

“Yes, we do.”

“This is nice. I love the outdoors.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. I’m a nature girl.”

“I bet your love of nature doesn’t come with a side of smoke.”

She bellows a laugh. “No, it doesn’t, but this is okay. We’re still outside, so…”

“Yeah,” I say. My palms are no longer sweaty, but my heart is still unsteady. “What do you do for work?” I ask to keep the conversation flowing.

“I’m an administrative assistant at the recreation center. You?”

“I work at my parents’ grocery store. I’m a bagger.”

She grins. “No, you’re not.”

“I am. Really.”

“Earlier today when I saw you, you had on a suit.”

“I had just gotten off work. The store is within walking distance of the ice cream shop.”

“Oh.”

“Hard to believe, huh?”

“That you work at a grocery store? No, it’s just unexpected.”

She looks at the fire. I hope telling her about my profession makes her steer clear of me as far as any romantic attachment is involved because she can’t be interested in me like that, the same way I can’t be interested in her.

“Would you like a drink?” I ask.

“Yeah, sure.”

“What would you like?”

She shrugs. “I’ll let you choose.”

I get up and walk over to the cooler. She doesn’t strike me as a beer drinker, so I grab a bottle of water. I hand it to her and she says, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Autumn.”

She opens it, takes a sip. Conversation ceases. I suppose that’s my fault. I’m running out of small talk because this isn’t typical. I’m usually good at keeping my interactions with women on a surface level. I’m having trouble doing that now. I’ll have to pull something out of my hat.

I ask, “Do you know what I love about being out here?”

“What’s that?”

“I like being under the sky, out in the open.”

“Why?”

“It forces me to realize how small I really am. I love that feeling. The world wants to blow our heads up, give us egos, and make us think we’re more important than the next person when we’re all made of dust. Doesn’t matter how much money you make—we’re all dirt and when we die, we’ll return to the dirt. ”

“That’s true.”

“Ay, Judah, don’t be over there boring Autumn with that deep earth nonsense you be talking,” Moriah says.

Autumn’s eyes light up. “Ah, so he’s a regular at this, huh?”

“Girl, he is. If you’re not into nature, I suggest you run while you still can.”

“Fortunately, I am a nature girl,” Autumn answers.

“With a name like Autumn, you almost have to be, right?” Moriah extends her hand to Autumn and says, “I’m Moriah, by the way.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Moriah.”

“Likewise. You have pretty eyes, too.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, and if you ever want to know anything about this one,” she says, pointing at me, “Just let me know.”

“Will do,” Autumn says, smiling as she looks at me.

After Moriah sashays away, Autumn says, “You have a lot of friends.”

“I do. I like to surround myself with people who bring out the best in me. Good people. That’s why you’re here.”

She fashions a smile and then turns towards the fire. “So, a campfire in the summer…”

“I know it’s an oxymoron, but it’s only to keep the snakes and bugs away. We don’t do this often in the summer. This time, I just felt compelled to be outside.”

“Oh, so you put this on?”

“I did, and sent a group chat message to anyone who wanted to join me. If you play your cards right, I’ll add you to the group chat.”

She chuckles. It’s what I was hoping she’d do so I could see that stellar smile of hers.

I take a moment to admire her. The ambient light from the fire on her face makes me want to touch her cheek.

I look at her ear. Her piercings. She has four in this ear.

I imagine the same is true of the other.

All of her earrings are silver – even the necklace she’s wearing.

Her side profile is a thing of beauty. I know she feels me staring at her, but I don’t care at the moment. I feast on her face like I’m at a buffet, taking her all in.

“How long do y’all usually stay out here?” she asks.

“A few hours. Sometimes we stay until we hear howling and see bats.”

Her eyebrows shoot up.

I smirk and say, “I’m kidding.”

“Oh,” she gasps, placing a hand on her heart. “You got me there. I was about to leave.”

I look at my watch and say, “Maybe we’ll be out here for another hour or so. Is that good with you?”

“Yeah. Sounds good.”