Page 138 of When In Doubt

Chapter Forty-Four

OSCAR

“Are you gonna make me hike?” Freya pouts from the passenger seat of my truck. “Because I really don’t think I’m dressed for it.”

I laugh, looking down at her red patent leather shoes. They seem like such a sharp contrast against the beat-up floors and cracked leather of my truck.

“No hiking, I swear.” I throw her an indulgent smile.

“You’d better not be lying to me.”

I reach over and squeeze her thigh. “I would never.”

“Good.” She crosses her arms with a little huff and I have to force myself not to laugh. Fuck, she’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s been a week since she showed up at my door, and I’ve just about managed to make myself believe it.

“It’ll be worth the drive.”

We continue on in silence, the rumble of the truck the only sound in the cab. This far into the mountains the road is more of a gravel track, but Freya isn’t fazed by the occasional jolts as we hit larger rocks.

As soon as I hear her gasp, I know she’s seen it.

I look over to see her leaning forward, her nose almost pressed against the windscreen in an effort to get closer. I grin as I take in her rapt expression. “It’s something, huh?”

“Oscar,” she breathes, only glancing my way for a second. I match her eyeline and take in the view. I didn’t know how much I was missing.

This place has been the site of some of my happiest memories, but it’s been a long time.

Nestled at the foot of the mountains, the sun reflects off the crystal-clear water of the lake, the waves lapping gently at the rocky shoreline. Trees surround it on all sides, giving it the feeling of being tucked away, like we’re the only two people left in the world.

I pull the truck into the small parking lot. We’re still in that sweet spot where it’s warm enough to enjoy, but not quite late enough that the schools have let out yet.

I’ve been wanting to bring her up here for a long time. I want her to know all the parts of me that I push away. Maybe with her, I can start learning to love it up here again.

I climb out and round the hood, smiling to myself when I see Freya still frozen, eyes glued to the view.

“You need a minute?” I smirk as I open her door.

“This is…” She blinks once, twice.

I smile down at her, warmth flooding my chest. “Thought you might want to see some of the highlights of living in Colorado again.”

She finally looks up at me, her face so soft. “I think I already know what the highlights are.”

My stomach flips over, and it’s all I can do not to drag her out of the truck just so I can press her against it.

“Come on.” I take her by the hand and help her out. The gravel crunches under her shoes as she stands beside me and I can’t help myself. I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her into a long kiss. Fuck, I can’t get enough of her. The three days when I thought she might not want me anymore were fucking torture. Now that I’ve got her back, I want to pull her into my arms and not let her out for years.

Her cheeks flush a delicious shade of red when I move to grab my backpack off the bench seat and sling it over my shoulder.

“Shall we?” I offer her my arm, which she grips tightly.

“You gonna tell me what we’re doing here?”

“Nope,” I say, holding back my grin. She rolls her eyes, but gamely follows as I lead her toward the thin strip of beach.

“This place is incredible,” she says with a soft smile. She grabs her phone and takes a picture. “Luci’s gonna be so jealous.” I watch her type out a message, attaching the image.

“We can bring her when she visits.” I’m excited to meet Freya’s friend, even if it sort of scares the hell out of me.