Page 40 of Not Just Gal Pals

Blake hesitated. “Well, if you’re sure, that would be incredible. Thank you.” Her voice was gruff, but I thought I heard genuine gratitude.

We hit a steep, rocky section of the hike and stopped talking so we could focus on keeping our balance as we scrambled over boulders.

* * *

“Well, what do you think?” Blake grinned at me, still barely breaking a sweat, as we reached a rocky outcrop showcasing sweeping views of the Hudson River and the sepia and golden hues of the Hudson Highlands Mountains.

“This is incredible!” I took in a deep breath and then breathed out slowly, trying to get my heart rate back to its normal speed as I took in the spectacular surroundings.

“Yeah, I love coming up here in fall.”

“Do you mind taking a photo of me so we can get it over and done with?”

I quickly wiped down my face and checked my hair in selfie mode on my phone, and then got Blake to take a photo of me posing in front of the view.

“Now, are you hungry?” Blake asked as she handed my phone back, taking off her backpack. The last hour of intense hiking had made me forget my empty stomach. As soon as the words left her mouth, my stomach rumbled.

I eyed Blake’s backpack in eager anticipation as she began to unpack. She pulled out a light tartan picnic blanket and laid it on the ground. And then she unpacked an assortment of bagels from a cooler bag, a bowl of berries, four massive cookies, and a thermos. Okay, this definitely felt more date-like than I was expecting. And I kind of liked it. I couldn’t remember the last time someone I was with had gone to this much trouble.

“Help yourself. The bagels and cookies are from Novel Gossip. I wasn’t sure what fillings you liked, so I got a few. There’s smoked salmon and dill, BLT, pastrami, and an avocado and sundried tomato one.”

My heart warmed at the thought of Blake lugging excess bagels up Breakback Ridge just to make sure I had options.

Blake sat on the blanket, her back against a boulder, facing the view. I lowered myself next to her, reaching forward for the smoked salmon bagel, which I began to devour.

“This. Is. Amazing.” I shut my eyes, savoring the dense, chewy, everything bagel.

I opened my eyes to find Blake grinning at me, and my pulse stuttered. How did she manage to look so goddamn good after hiking up practically a cliff face for hours? The only obvious sign of any physical exertion was slightly pink cheeks. I wondered if Blake’s cheeks went red after all forms of physical exertion... My cheeks, already warm, started blazing at the thought. Blake’s grin widened, as if she’d read my mind.

“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Nothing. I’m just glad you’re enjoying the bagel so much.” She bit into the pastrami bagel, looking very pleased with herself.

We ate our bagels in companionable silence, watching boats putter down the Hudson and a smattering of white fluffy clouds slowly move across the otherwise blue sky.

“Coffee?” Blake lifted up the thermos. I nodded. After filling a camping mug, she passed it to me and then offered me a cookie.

“This cookie is to die for.” I tried to keep my face less orgasmic this time, but it was a challenge. The crunch of the walnuts and the crispy outer layer of the cookie perfectly complemented the rich, gooey interior. It was so rich I only got halfway through before I had to set it aside. I leaned back onto the boulder, groaning slightly.

“That was so satisfying. Thanks for bringing everything. You’re very welcome to the squished granola bars I packed if you’d like.”

Blake, also leaning back on the boulder, turned to me and smiled, sending butterflies fluttering low in my belly. “No problem. And I think I'll pass on the granola bar, but I appreciate the thought.”

We held each other’s gaze, and a shiver ran down my spine. “Come here, you,” Blake said, her voice low and warm.

I shifted to be closer to her, but then panic swept over me, and I froze.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m gross, and sweaty, and probably smell like fish.” I grimaced at her.

“I don’t care.” Blake leaned over and kissed me softly on the lips before pulling back and looking at me. “I can’t smell anything. But I get it. You know the day I ran into you at Novel Gossip, the day after the bachelorette party? I was so paranoid I had terrible coffee breath because I hadn’t brushed my teeth I was literally trying to hold my breath every time I got near you.”

I laughed. “Are you serious? I thought I must have smelled bad.” I shook my head. “That’s hilarious. God, it’s so weird to think the bachelorette party was only two weeks ago. Things have changed a lot since then.”

“Oh, like what?” Blake asked, a little too innocently.

I narrowed my eyes at her teasingly and then leaned forward and kissed her, gently biting her lower lip.