ie's

Chris Brown's "Und

that blurred into a green haze as Richard drove. She hadn't said more than ten words since they left the house three hours ago. Why bother? This trip had been doomed from the start. Her mother, Adrianna, was s

the partners needs me on a big ca

her of six long years. She couldn't believe he had lasted that long. She stole a glance at him from the corner of her eye. Then her thoughts drifted slightly; Forty-five, broad-shouldered, with salt-and-pepper hair that somehow made him look distinguished rather than old. His hands rested conf

nd steady, the same calm tone he always used eve

dow. The air conditioning hummed, but the lat

conscious about how much leg they showed. Her hair was quite messy. The air played swiftly, enabling

try to join us tomor

bitter laugh. "

unshakable. The perfect counter to her mother's chaos. Sometimes Millie wondered if that was why her mom had married him. To have someone steady to come home to after her storms. It didn't make Millie any less bitter about the way he'd inserted himself into their lives when she was still grieving her real dad. They stopped once for gas and snacks. Millie wa

he scent of earth and water. Millie's resentment simmered, but something else threaded through it now. A restless energy she couldn't n

" she m

his throat. "We're almost there. The campsite is supposed t

because her mother had insisted it would be "cozy." Now it would just be the two of them. Alone. For days. By the time they pulled into the gravel lot at Lakeside Retreat, the sun hung low, painting the water in shades of molten gold. T

e. "Home sweet home for t

ulse wasn't already racing for no good reason. They unloaded the car in relative silence. Richard carried the heavy tent bag and cooler while Millie managed the sleeping bags and food p

er to set up the tent, the instructions spread on a nearby log. Richard's presence was impossible to ignore as they snapped poles into place. He stood cl

hand covered hers briefly on the pole, large and callused.

No mom as a buffer. Millie's mouth went dry. She busied herself unrolling the sleeping bags, smoothing them out with unne

is forehead. He straightened, wiping his brow with the hem of his shirt, revealing a strip

work. A small, satisfied smile tugged a

oice tighter than she

ks dancing upward. They sat on folding chairs, the lake reflecting the orange glow. The distant murmur of other campers carried faintly on the breeze... laughter, a dog b

ng his own. "I know this isn't how you p

Inside, her thoughts churned. Why does he have to be so... decent? So solid? The resentment sh

ly. "I'm glad you still came. F

sarcasm, but it came out softer. "Someone ha

ngs to her stomach. "Fair enough. Though I think you're the one

r tongue. Sticky residue clung to her lips. She licked it away, aware of his eyes on her for a beat too long. The temperature dropped as the night fell. The fire popped and hissed. Mil

eventually. "Long day tomorrow. Hiking the trail

Richard moved with quiet efficiency, changing into sleep shorts and a t-shirt in the dim glow of his lantern. Millie caught glimpses: the strong line of

reathing. The shift of his body. The faint heat radiating across the small gap between them. She turned onto her side, facing away from him, but sleep wouldn't come. Old tensions twisted with something new

. Mom's husband. But Mom wasn't here. And Richard's p

re you awake?" His voice was barely a

she br

ce. Then, softly, "Nigh

had only just begun, and already the air between them felt charged, heavy with everything unsaid. Millie closed her eyes, but the images behind her lids; hi

wasn't sure she wan