The Whisper Seekers

Canopy of Stars

On the walk back to Liam's car after dinner, he hesitates before unlocking the doors. He looks at 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 before disappearing into the car. Ugh, he's so damn cute. 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, jaw slightly parted, and he releases a teasing laugh. 

I swing my car door open and immediately regret wearing sandals as we step onto the dusty dirt road. A few stray pebbles wedge themselves under my feet and I instinctively grab Liam's arm for balance, shaking my shoe until they fall free. His skin is warm beneath my fingers, and when I glance up and meet his bright blue eyes, I quickly drop my hand. I'm reminding myself that I need boundaries.

But those boundaries become increasingly blurry as we walk side by side toward the dock. My eyes drift toward his hand swinging between us, and it takes real effort to ignore the pull, the temptation to reach out. We're just friends. We. Are. Just. Friends. 

At the rental shack, I let him lead while I take in the view. A few paddle boats float lazily on the glittering surface of the lake, their reflections shimmering in the late afternoon light. The water is calm, framed by a canopy of towering trees that shields us from the worst of the sun. 

My hand twitches for my phone, eager to capture it for Instagram, but I hesitate. This moment feels too personal with Liam to share with everyone else. I watch as he steps up to the cashier, casually pulling out his wallet and paying for a soft blue paddle boat. 

"Do you need a life vest?" The cashier asks and Liam immediately grins, "Oh yes, I need one, please." Surprised, I look at Liam 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 as 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.