Page 40 of Check Mate

It’s confirmed. David can, in fact, kiss. That was the kind of kiss that makes a person settle down in Kansas forever, to build roots, have a family, live happily ever after.

Only, I don’t want to settle down, remember? I’m not Cinderella. I’m Moana. Adventurer of the wind and sea. I will board my boat and travel the world. Figuratively, of course. I have no idea how to sail a boat.

Plus, my parents would never approve of David. He’s not even Catholic… At least, I don’t think he is. If I quit working at the restaurant to focus on Isa’s Itinerary and start going out with a non-Catholic, they’ll probably extricate me from the family entirely.

This is a harmless little vacation romance. What happens in the Andes stays in the Andes.

Our campsite is dark and quiet; David and I must be the only ones still awake. I slip into the tent and David follows closely behind. We both slide under our blankets without a word. What does one say to their former nemesis that they just shared a passionate kiss with?

In the quiet stillness, I hear the shuffling of David’s blankets and then feel his warm hand on my back. He gently massages my back and I smile to myself.

“Goodnight, David,” I whisper.

“Night,” he responds, continuing to rub my back.

I must have passed out quickly with David’s soothing back massage, because next thing I know, it’s morning. My stomach does a little flip when I realize today I'll finally get to see Machu Picchu. All of these miles we’ve put in will finally come to fruition, and we will see one of the seven man-made wonders of the world.

I sit up in bed and look over at David. He moved his pallet right next to mine last night and he’s sleeping peacefully with one hand on his abdomen and the other across his eyes. His usual surly expression is now one of complete peace and relaxation. His hair is messy and his glasses are safely in their case beside him.

Smoothing one hand through his thick, dark hair, I whisper, “David, it’s Machu Picchu day.”

His eyebrows scrunch together but his eyes stay closed. I lean in and give him a quick kiss on the forehead. He hums contentedly, and a smirk passes over his lips.

“Lizzy Llama… is that you?” he asks, his voice raspy with sleep.

I laugh. “Sorry to disappoint… but it’s just me.”

He grins and opens his eyes. “Too bad. Lizzy was a really good kisser.”

I lean back to rest on my knees and place my hands on my hips. “Better than me?”

He rolls his lips like he’s really putting thought into the comparison between me and the llama. “Honestly, it’s a toss up.”

I lean forward and pinch his side, which makes him chuckle and twist up into a sitting position.

“Oh my, David is ticklish is he?” I continue pinching his sides in a tickling motion and he thrashes around like he can’t control himself, laughing like I’ve never seen him laugh before.

“Stop, please stop.” He grabs my hands and tugs me onto his lap like he did last night when we kissed.

He smiles and cups my chin in his hand and gives me the softest, sweetest kiss. “Good morning,” he whispers against my lips, leaving me breathless.

David slides out from under me, grabs his glasses and puts them on. I notice he didn’t put his nightguard in last night… which makes me wonder if he was hoping for more kisses. He starts packing his backpack up for the day and I sit and watch him. It’s fascinating to me that he has a system for everything. He has small bags and containers within his backpack, so every item is labeled and has its own place.

What would it be like to be so organized? Does it make his life easier, or more difficult?

The pit of doubt in my gut wrenches once more. Because deep down I know this man isn’t a vacation fling, he’s the whole package… wedding, house, kids. I’m getting way ahead of myself here, but I can’t picture my lifestyle of traveling and blogging meshing with David’s at all.

As fun as the past few days have been with him, I can’t change all my future plans based on like four nights in the same tent and a few stolen kisses.

As I pack my own backpack for the day, I remind myself. I’m Moana… not Cinderella.

When we exit our tent, we’re greeted by the magnificent view of Machu Picchu in all of its glory.

The sight of the ancient civilization overwhelms me. My eyes fill with tears as I picture the Incan people building this and living their lives here. I imagine what it might’ve looked like filled with people. Families and their children, a market filled with fresh produce, animals ambling about. A grand city full of life and love. Maybe even the emperor and his guards at the top, overlooking the city.

These ancient ruins have stood through time. Their heavy stones carried by the Incans themselves, all the way up the mountains, then arranged in artistic patterns. How much work this must’ve taken… And what an honor to see it in person all these centuries later.

“Wow,” David says, his voice cracking with emotion.