✺ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 ✺- Josh Kiszka

Part 24

We packed up our leftover food, carefully placed the bowls and glasses into the basket gently, and replaced the lid. We set it to the side next to my bag and sat back down onto the blanket.

"Thank you," I said suddenly.

Josh looked up at me, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"For this," I said nodding over to the basket, "and, all of this," I added, gesturing to everything around us. "This is the most thoughtful thing I think anyone has ever done."

"I'm glad you like it," he replied, smiling wide. "But I should thank you," he continued, stretching out his arms above him.

"Why?" I said, confused. He was the one who put all of this together.

"I've been waiting for the right person to bring here." He replied, looking up at the falls, "before today, Jake and I were the only ones who knew about this place."

Suddenly, the entire place around us became more special.

"You've never told anyone else about it here?" I asked, pretty surprised, "Not even Sam or Danny?"

He shook his head lightly, "Only you, Jake, and I. Oh and those travel bloggers if you count them,"

"I feel like I'm not supposed to be here," I laughed, tracing my finger over the light groves in the stone. "It feels sacred."

"No, you're definitely supposed to be here," Josh said quickly, meeting my eyes for a split second.

We sat in silence for a minute before Josh stood up, exhaling dramatically.

"What are you doing," I asked, as I saw him strip off his shirt, and toss it onto the blanket along with the necklace he had on.

"Swimming?" he said, smiling down at me playfully, "why else would I have asked you to wear a swimsuit."

He expects me to jump into that freezing ass water? I thought in utter shock.

"You're crazy," I responded with a disbelieving laugh.

"Come on," he said, extending out his hand in front of me. I looked between him and his hand for a moment before sighing and taking it, standing up onto the blanket.

"There you go," he replied, "You get used to the cold quick I promise,"

"Oh I'm sure," I replied sarcastically as I stripped off my tee-shirt and shorts, bending over to discard them on top of Josh's.

When I went back up and walked over towards the edge, Josh turned around, and I noticed his eyes widen and flicker down for a fleeting moment before he quickly looked awkwardly down at the water again.

Did he just..? I thought, suddenly self-aware that I was standing in front of him practically half-naked.

I crossed my arms over my chest and shifted my weight awkwardly onto one leg. But I couldn't help the slight grin that began to grow on my face.

"Ladies first," Josh said, gesturing for me to jump in.

"You're insane if you think I'm just going to jump in there," I said, my eyes widening.

"It's the best way," he replied, "just like ripping off a band-aid,"

"You first," I said stubbornly, not moving from my spot.

He laughed and raised his hands defensively,

"Fine," he said, walking over to the edge next to me.

He began to bend his knees down, preparing to jump, when he suddenly scooped me up from my spot on the rock, causing me to lose my footing and fall into his arms.