Chapter 36

After finishing our light breakfast, Monique and I headed out for a drive, the windows down to let the warm summer air fill the car. The scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass wafted in, mingling with the distant sound of birds chirping.

Monique drove, her fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel as she hummed along to a song playing on the radio. She glanced at me with a smile. “You’re quiet. What are you thinking about?”

I sighed, stretching my arm as I leaned back in the seat. “About how nice this is ... being with you like this. It feels normal, easy.”

She reached over, lacing her fingers through mine. “I feel the same way.”

The drive to the lake didn’t take long. We pulled into a small gravel parking lot near a scenic walking trail that curved around the water’s edge. Monique helped me out of the car, though I insisted I could manage on my own.

“I know you can, but humor me,” she teased, slipping her arm through mine as we made our way toward the trail.

The lake shimmered under the bright sun, the water reflecting the sky in ripples of blue and silver. A few couples strolled along the path, some walking hand in hand, others with picnic baskets spread out on the grass. Families were scattered across the area, children laughing as they skipped rocks or splashed at the water’s edge.

As we walked, we exchanged polite nods and smiles with those we passed. An older gentleman in a sun hat gave Monique an appreciative glance before tipping his hat toward me with a knowing smirk.

“He thinks you’re lucky,” Monique whispered, nudging me with her hip.

I chuckled. “I am lucky.”

She grinned, squeezing my arm as we continued along the path, the sound of water lapping against the shore creating a soothing backdrop.

After a while, we found a quiet spot beneath a large tree, where the shade provided some relief from the midday sun. Monique turned to me, her eyes playful. “Sit with me for a bit?”

I nodded, and we settled onto the grass, leaning against the trunk. Monique stretched her legs out, tilting her head back to soak in the sunlight filtering through the leaves.

“Do you know what I love about summer?” she murmured.

I glanced at her. “What?”

She turned her head toward me, her gaze soft. “How it makes everything feel ... alive.”

I smiled, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I know exactly what you mean.”

She shifted closer, her fingers tracing light patterns on my arm, her touch warm and familiar. “And do you know what else I love?”

I raised an eyebrow. “I have a feeling you’re about to show me.”

She giggled, leaning in to brush her lips over mine, a slow, teasing kiss that deepened as I pulled her closer. The warmth of the afternoon, the scent of grass and lake water, the soft hum of distant voices—all of it melted away as I lost myself in her.

Her hand slipped beneath my shirt, her nails grazing my skin as she pressed against me. I groaned softly, cupping her face, savoring the way her breath hitched as our kisses grew more fervent.

And then—

“Oh! Oh my—uh, sorry!”

We froze.

I turned my head to see two women standing a few feet away, both clutching their dogs’ leashes with wide, startled eyes.

Monique buried her face against my shoulder, stifling a laugh. I cleared my throat, trying to suppress my own amusement.

One of the women, a brunette in yoga pants and a tank top, coughed awkwardly. “Didn’t mean to interrupt. Just, um ... walking our dogs.”

The other, a redhead, tugged her dog’s leash. “Yeah, we’ll just—uh—go that way.”

They quickly turned and hurried down the path, their dogs trotting alongside them as they disappeared around a bend.

Monique lifted her head, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. “We just got caught, didn’t we?”

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah. Yeah, we did.”

She sat up, fixing her skirt and smoothing out her top. “Should we be embarrassed?”

I chuckled. “Probably.”

She snorted, shaking her head. “Oh well.”

We stood, brushing off bits of grass and leaves before continuing our walk back toward the car, laughing about the unexpected encounter.