Page 44 of The Husband Contract

“Oh,” she says, blushing. “I wasn’t fishing for a compliment. I mean, I love compliments, but you don’t have to compliment me all the time.”

“Maybe I like complimenting you.”

“I know, but?—”

“You ready to continue?” I ask her.

“Sure,” she says, though I almost feel like she wanted to groan. We continue hiking, and it’s not five minutes later that she stops next to a rock.

“Oh my gosh.” She’s breathing heavily now. “I’m sorry, Sebastian, but can we just take a break? I need some water.”

“Sure.”

She takes a seat and pulls off her cap. "It's so hot today, isn’t it?”

“Not particularly.” I frown. “Are you okay?”

“I’m just really tired, I guess. I didn’t sleep well last night, and I’m slightly out of breath. My calf muscles are burning, and I’m winded, and my stomach..." She laughs softly and rubs her calf muscles. “I’m kind of hungry, and I feel like I’m going to faint.”

She opens her bottle of water and chugs it. “Oh my gosh, that tastes so good. It’s like the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” She leans back and yawns loudly.

“Are you okay, Willow?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It just feels like we’ve been out here a really long time. I guess… how much longer do we have?”

“We haven’t even gotten to the trailhead yet,” I say, frowning. “When’s the last time you hiked, and where do you normally go?”

She stares at me for a couple of seconds. I watch as she goes bright red. She rubs her fingers against her temples, then pulls out her hairband and shakes her blonde hair loose. She lets out a loud groan.

“I guess I have to admit it.”

“Admit what?” I ask, sitting next to her on the rock.

“I lied. I’m not really into hiking. I don’t know why I said I was. I figured, who doesn’t like hiking? I just didn’t expect you would actually ask me on a hike, and one like this. It’s been all uphill, and I’m just not in the best shape. I mean, I go to the gym sometimes… well, not recently because, well, I don’t have a membership. But I didn’t realize I was in such bad shape. I’m so embarrassed. I just am not really doing well.”

“Oh.” I’m completely taken aback. I didn’t expect her to say that. Why would she lie about hiking? Unless she’s just a perpetual liar. Maybe she’s one of those people who can’t stop lying about things.

“I’m sorry. You can continue on the hike, and I’ll just wait here for you. I mean, I really do like nature, and this is a cute spot, and?—”

“I’m not going to hike up a mountain while you just sit here. The point of this excursion was for me to spend time with you.” I grab her hand. It’s soft, and as I squeeze it, she looks up at me.

“You think I’m awful, don’t you?”

“No,” I say. “I do think you’re a pretty amazing liar, though.”

Her eyes widen, and she licks her lips. “Well, I guess, maybe in this instance?—”

“It’s okay,” I say, cutting her off. “You’re just so beautiful.” Her blue eyes are light, and I can’t stop myself. I lean toward her and kiss her. Her fingers wrap around my neck, playing with the hair at my nape. I wrap my arms around her and kiss her back passionately. My tongue slips into her mouth, and she murmurs as she presses her body against mine. I run my fingers down the side of her face, pull back, and kiss her lips again. I stare at her. The way she’s responding to me feels so natural, so real, and my body doesn’t know how to interpret what’s going on.

“I think this is a love story that was written in the stars,” I whisper to her.

“I think so, too,” she whispers back.

“I have a question for you,” I say.

She groans loudly.

“Why are you groaning?”