Page 106 of The Quit List
As we wave them goodbye, we pack up our campsite and head out on the trail for the last time. Our packs are lighter now that we have less food, and the trail is downhill, so we get a really good pace going.
“You were actually super nice to the Vikings this morning,” I call back to Jax. I’m leading the way today while he walks a couple of steps behind me. “Very helpful and professional, Mr. Guide.”
It’s a cloudy day, and the air is cool and humid as a foggy blanket, the ground slick with morning dew. I’m kind of glad it’s not sunny. It would be harder to leave this gorgeous nature behind if the sun was beaming down and making everything golden and perfect.
“I don’t know if giving them dehydrated eggs and a map they can’t read counts as nice. Or helpful,” Jax responds and I laugh. He doesn’t give himself enough credit.
Maybe he’ll finally give credit where credit’s due when his business is up and booming and he has a billion five star reviews.
Which probably isn’t too far off.
In contrast, I’m not looking forward to going back to my job whatsoever. I can’t conjure up any excitement for it, and I honestly haven’t given it a second’s thought since I got to the cabin a few days ago.
“So, now that your practice guiding session with me is over, what’s next? Are you going to start taking bookings?”
The path is just wide enough for him to fall into step next to me. “First off, I need to get all the videos and pictures you’ve been taking up on my site so I can attract said bookings. Maybe go back to the cabin after dropping you home seeing as I have to wrap up a few small, last-minute things for guests. Have to rent out my place in the city, too. Set up satellite internet at the cabin. Basically a big, long, boring to-do list. I’ll be back and forth from Atlanta a lot while I get that done.”
He glances my way and I keep my face carefully neutral. “Satellite internet?”
“Yeah. It’s the best way to get online in remote locations, according to Google.” He grins. “Never needed it or wanted it before, but I have to get online to manage my bookings.”
“Makes sense.” I nod, and I’m glad to hear this. If he has internet, it means that we can keep in touch when he’s out at the cabin. You know, in case I want to tell him about any more of my bad dates…
Who am I kidding? There isn’t anyone else I want to date. Not even a little bit.
I only want to be with Jax. But hearing him talk like this—about a to-do list that he’ll start tackling later today because we’ll soon be back in the city—makes everything seem all too real.
His business will be off the ground soon. I’ll be seeing him a whole lot less.
But does that have to mean anything?
Old Holly would’ve said yes, it absolutely means something. She would’ve felt the need to “be responsible,” focus on the fact that our being together isn’t logical. It can’t go according to any sort of plan I’ve ever had for my life.
But after these last days in the wilderness, I’m not sure I feel that way anymore.
Because I like this man.
Like him very, very much.
And maybe we don’t have all the answers right now. But maybe we don’t need to, either.
Maybe we can see where it goes.
I take Jax’s hand almost shyly. “Let’s log on when we get to breakfast and see if anyone’s made an inquiry.”
“Right this second, I’m way more interested in bacon and eggs than bookings.”
I have to agree with him. Though a huge part of me doesn’t want to leave this magical adventure with Jax, another, greedier part of me (probably my growling stomach, honestly) is unreasonably excited for a fresh, hot meal.
Visions of bacon dance through my mind as I prance ahead of Jax down the trail, Rick by my side. We’re so close to that big breakfast now, I can practically smell it.
“I want waffles! With whipped cream and maple syrup,” I sing, feeling wild and free and a touch delirious.
“For me, it’s a double stack of chocolate chip pancakes. And bottomless coffee, of course.”
“Mmm. I can’t wait for coffee. And avocado toast with scrambled eggs, and a huge frosted cinnamon bun, and a strawberry-banana smoothie, and?—”
What happens next seems to happen in slow motion.