The day had finally arrived. I sprayed myself with mosquito repellent. I ate oatmeal for breakfast and put additional sunblock on my nose.
I was prepared.
My water bottle was filled with ice coffee, and my fanny pack was equipped with a flashlight, compass, and lip balm.
59
"Howdie," I said with added zeal as I welcomed Mark.
He'd only recently awoken, unlike me.
In a zip-up sweatshirt and gray trousers, he was preparing breakfast.
"Hey," he said, turning around and scratching his eye.
I made a conscious effort not to look. The movement of his hoodie unzipping altered the shadow across the firm lines of his powerful chest.
His hand fell to the ground, and his blue eyes widened. He locked his gaze on me. I was fully camouflaged from head to toe.
"It's far too soon for this."
