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“No, you didn’t. You said I won.”
She dropped her hands against my chest and pushed me out of the room. “Out, I have to finish getting ready.”
I punched numbers on the keypad of my phone with annoyance, when ten minutes later, clad in a rumpled blue top and damp hair thrown carelessly on top of her head, she walked into the living room.
Pocketing my cell phone, I stood up and faced her. “Come on. If we wait until it gets too hot, we’re screwed.”
“Hot?” Her face fell. “Julian you didn’t say anything about hot. I hate hot. Large, round people don’t handle heat well.”
I tightened my fingers around hers. “Princess, I love you, baby, but if you don’t shut up, I’m going to duct tape your mouth closed.”
Her jaw dropped in shock as I let out an amused chuckle. We were already late, but nothing could tank my mood at that moment.
Especially not while thinking about what awaited us.
***
“Do you know where you’re going?” She lifted an eyebrow in question.
I shifted a sideways glance at her. She was far more amused than I cared for. “Yes. No. Fuck, I don’t know. I’m following directions that apparently suck.”
She unsuccessfully attempted to hide a smirk. “Why don’t you tell me where you want to go, and I can tell you how to get there. Women are better at directions.”
Turning up the radio, I fought a partial smile. “Nice try. No way, Phoebe. I’m surprising you if it kills me.”
Leaning back into the seat, she adjusted the air vent to blow directly into her face. “Okay, have it your way. But I’m warning you, fifteen more minutes and I’m going to have to pee.”
“Again?”
“I have a person using my bladder as a trampoline, do you really want to screw with me over this?”
Hell no, I didn’t. “Touché.”
Two more turns and the pavement disappeared into a dirt road that twisted and turned up a hill. Whipping her head side to side, she grabbed my forearm. “Julian, unless Hollywood has taken to cow tipping, I think you made a wrong turn somewhere.”
Stopping the car, I cut the engine. “As much as it would amuse me to see you push over a sleeping cow, that’s not why we’re here.” Getting out of the car, I walked to the other side and extended my arm. Tentatively, she placed her hand in mine. “Walk with me.”
Steps perfectly in sync, I guided her toward a clearing at the end of the road. My smile widened and I tightened my fingers around hers.
I knew the moment the smell hit her. She stopped mid-stride and breathed in deeply. Anticipation almost killed me as I waited until she’d taken one last inhale, and tears spilled down her cheeks. The smell was a permanent piece of her memory. It was unmistakable. It was sweet.
It was strawberries.
