For Nick by Taylor Dean Page B

time to lighten up. “It leaves us with an interesting week ahead of us. Nothing more. Let’s just relax and have fun. It’s been far too long since I’ve taken a vacation.” If anything developed between them, it would happen naturally.
    “For me too. But I like you, Zach. I like you a lot. Maybe too much. I think we’re on dangerous ground.”
    Her frankness, again, took him aback. He liked it, however. “I know we are. I didn’t expect this to happen. What do you suggest we do?”
    Her eyes wandered momentarily. “Maybe I should leave. Maybe we’re getting too personal . Maybe we should spend this week apart. No one needs to know we didn’t spend the week together,” she said with a slight frown.
    “Is that what you want, Andie?”
    “No,” she whispered slowly. “I want to stay with you, more than I should. What do you want?”
    “I want you to stay, more than I should. I want to be friends and we’ll see where that takes us. Nothing wrong with that, is there?” Andie was right; the trappings of a honeymoon were getting to both of them.
    “As long as the feeling is mutual, then I suppose not.”
    “It’s mutual, Andie. But I don’t want you to feel that any of this is expected of you. The contract was meant to protect you, as well as me. Instead it seems to be complicating our lives and making us over think everything.”
    “You’ve been the perfect gentleman. I don’t feel any pressure from you. I think I’m the one pressuring you by initiating this conversation.”
    “I think it needed to be said.”
    “I think so too.”
    “Let’s not worry so much. I’m gonna spend a lovely week with my new bride and enjoy every minute of her captivating company. End of story. Any objections?”
    “None.” She didn’t smile at him, she beamed as if somewhat relieved to have this all out in the open.
    “What now?” Zach asked.
    “Dance a little more?” she suggested.
    Zach let out a shout of laughter, finding Andie to be intriguing. “Deal.”
    He could’ve held her all night. But in the end, she said goodnight and they retired to their respective rooms.
    “Andie?” he said, from across the hall.
    “Hmmm?”
    “I like you too. A lot.”

-8-
    The next day dawned, bright and glorious. Andie wondered what today would hold with a thrill in her heart. At breakfast, Zach didn’t disappoint. “Would you like to go on a hike today?”
    After last night’s conversation, she knew whatever she was feeling, Zach was too. This eased her worry and helped her to feel a little more relaxed around him. Their relationship seemed to have taken off at a dizzying speed and she felt as though she was holding on for dear life.
    But she didn’t want to let go.
    Zach dug out some old daypacks from the closet, they packed them and off they went. They hiked for about two hours and then stopped at a cliff that harbored a breathtaking view. Zach laid out a blanket and they took a break, eating a snack and sharing a bottle of water. When they were finished, Zach positioned himself behind her and she leaned back into him as he wrapped his arms around her protectively, surprising her. Within the circle of his embrace, she felt oddly safe and secure. There was no desire to end the physical contact, quite the opposite in fact.
    “I used to come up here as a kid. Over the years, it’s been my favorite place to come and think. I feel surprisingly content this year. You’re a peaceful person to be around, Andie. You’re calm and soothing, there’s something comforting about you. I noticed it immediately when I met you for the first time. You have a quiet self-assurance about you, as if nothing or no one can ruin your day. I like that. You seem almost untouchable, as if there’s an invisible wall around you that protects you from life. You caught my attention because of it.”
    “Thank you, Zach.” He had no idea what those words meant to her, or how true they were. She was wrapped in ice, refusing to break down.