The Whisper Seekers

Canopy of Stars

On the walk back to Liam's car after dinner, he hesitates before unlocking the doors. He looks to me and I immediately notice a twinkle in his eye.

"Uh oh," I joke and a grin spreads across his face.

"There's one more thing I wanna do before I take you home." I hear the doors unlock and he winks to me before disappearing into the car. My stomach somersaults and I'm eager to see what he has up his sleeve. I drop into the car and a few moments later, I recognize one of the small dirt roads Liam turns down off the main street. The trail leads us parallel to a small river that runs through the outskirts of town. I used to come here to tube down the river during the summers but I haven't been back in a few years.

The car bumbles over the dirt and gravel road and I watch Liam pull into the state park entrance. I glance at him and still wonder what he's up to.

"You are taking me to a woodsy area right before the sun is about to set. Should I be worried?" I ask him and while glancing around the parking area he replies, "Oh you saw my rope and shovel in the trunk did ya?" I flick my eyes over to him with my jaw slightly open and he stifles a light laugh. I swing my door open and regret my choice of sandals as we walk over the dusty dirt road. I grab Liam's arm to balance myself as I shake my foot to free my shoes from some pebbles as soon as we hit the grassy area. I meet his blue eyes when I'm done and immediately drop my hand from his arm, knowing I need to keep some boundaries.

That becomes harder when I'm walking next to him down to the dock and notice the impulse to grab his swinging hand. I have to refrain from reaching for it, we are here as friends and nothing more. I let him lead me over to the rentals shack and I notice a few people paddle boating in the calm sparkling lake water. I get the urge to grab my phone and post the view to Instagram, but I remember I am here with Liam and probably shouldn't broadcast it. The sun sits at the top of the canopy of large trees that surrounds the water, so we are shielded by shade and protected from the heat. I look to Liam as he approaches the cashier and he pays for a light blue paddle boat.

"Do you need a life vest?" The cashier asks and Liam immediately grins, "Oh yes, I need one please." I look to Liam surprised and ask, "You can't swim?" He shakes his head and reaches for the hot orange vest the cashier hands him.

"No, this is for you." He starts walking ahead of me but I grab his arm to stop him.

"I'm not wearing that." His million-dollar smile inches across his face and his eyes meet mine.

"Oh yes you are. That way if you get all lippy with me again, I can sleep soundly knowing you made it safely back to the dock." A laugh escapes me.

"You wouldn't push me out of the boat!"

"Get sassy like you did yesterday and find out." He turns away from me and I can't help but laugh knowing he is joking with me- I hope. I don't think he understands that I don't like being put in my place and he is constantly leaving me frazzled.

I jog to catch up to him and when I am beside him again, he says, "I thought we could watch the sunset from the lake." I bite my lip to keep from grinning like an idiot and nod along to his idea.

The light blue paddle boat floats at the end of the dock and it's held to a metal post with a thick white rope. I check the seats and am thankful they aren't wet from the lake water. Liam extends his arms holding the vest out to me and I stubbornly shake my head refusing to put it on.

"Safety first, Ms. Adler," Liam jokes and I cross my arms in defiance in front of me while shaking my head.

"You aren't wearing one so why should I?" I ask and Liam's wicked ornery grin is back.