Matt

I found her on the porch, curled under a blanket like a cozy little woodland creature, mug in hand, book in lap. Honestly? Not fair how good she looked doing absolutely nothing.

“Hey,” I said, leaning on the railing and trying to sound casual. Which meant I sounded like I was overthinking breathing.

She glanced up, smiling. “Hey. Why do you look like you’re about to give a presentation in front of the school board?”

“Because I’m brave,” I muttered. “And because I came to ask if you wanted to go for a walk. In the forest.”

Her smile widened. “A walk?”

“Yeah. Just us. Trees. Quiet. No one...