Page 77 of Not Just Gal Pals

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Hot and sweaty, my heart pounding in my head, I was having some misgivings about my plan. Perhaps hiking up Breakback Ridge in the middle of summer wasn’t the best way to go about this.

I shot a worried glance at Jenny. Despite being pink-cheeked and out of breath, she’d broken into a wide smile. I followed her gaze, and my shoulders relaxed. We’d arrived.

We’d reached the same rocky outcrop we visited on our first hike together. But unlike that eventful hike, Jenny was dressed in proper hiking boots, and I was on high alert for even the slightest hint of a cloud in the bright-blue sky.

My eyes darted to the spot we’d picnicked at last time. It was empty. I breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully, we’d be undisturbed for the next few hours.

We walked up to the edge of the outcrop and took in the view. Instead of the sweeping views of red and orange foliage that greeted us last time, today the trees were all a dark, deep green.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous.” Jenny sighed, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“Not as gorgeous as you,” I said, kissing her on the cheek.

Jenny giggled and rolled her eyes. I smiled. Making Jenny giggle never got old. And since her career change, her giggles were even more frequent. She adored helping people celebrate important milestones, whether it be engagement parties, weddings, or birthdays. After a self-imposed social media hiatus, she now only posted on her personal accounts when she felt like it, mainly when Fred and Walter were doing something particularly cute.

“Should we get our picnic set up? I could really do with a sit-down and some food.” I don’t know if it was nerves or the heat, but my legs were a little shaky.

Once the picnic blanket was sprawled out, and all the food, except the cookies, was unpacked, I took a long swig out of my water bottle and then leaned back against the boulder.

“I don’t remember you being this out of breath last time we came up here,” Jenny teased.

“I was trying to impress you last time. I must’ve done a good job of hiding my exhaustion.”

“Oh, so you’re not trying to impress me anymore?” Jenny grinned and then did a fake pout.

I gave her a gentle shove. “Ha ha. Very funny.”

But in some ways, it was true. I was so comfortable with Jenny that I could be my whole self with her. Not comfortable in a boring, all-the-spark-is-gone kind of way—we still went on date nights, had incredible sex, and didn’t take each other for granted. More comfortable in a safe, accepted, I’m-confident-we-love-each-other-very-much-and-you’re-not-going-to-leave-me way.

Although, despite that confidence, butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

“Thanks for picking up all this food. It’s delicious,” Jenny said with a mouthful of chicken sandwich in her mouth.

“Good lord! And you were accusing me of no longer trying to impress you,” I joked as a piece of chicken fell out of Jenny’s mouth. “Make sure you leave some room for dessert. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

I took yesterday afternoon off work to prepare for the picnic. Thankfully, work had been much more manageable since we’d set up the medical fund. No longer overwhelmed with paperwork, I could take a day off here and there without stressing out.

After finishing the sandwiches, we lay back on the boulder, watching boats make their way up and down the Hudson.

Fifteen boats later, I took a deep breath. It was time. “Would you like a cookie? It’s one of George’s chocolate-walnut ones.”

Jenny shook her head. “No thanks. I’m too full at the moment. Maybe later.”

Shit.

“Not even a little bite?” I couldn’t help myself.

“Seriously, I can’t eat anything more at the moment, or I might explode. I might need to wait until we’re home.”

I spent the next half hour trying to enjoy the view and Jenny’s company and hide my inner turmoil. What if she didn’t want to eat the damn cookie?

“Mmmm, I think I’m feeling more like that cookie now. How about you?” I looked at her hopefully.

Jenny furrowed her brow, as if trying to calculate exactly how much room remained in her stomach. Please say yes. Please say yes.

She nodded, and I let out a breath. “I think I could at least have a bite.”