SOFIA

Knocking on Luke’s door a couple of mornings later, I tap my boot on the hotel carpet and wait, stomach fluttering as it flies open. He peers at me in what he wore at breakfast just an hour ago—an army-green t-shirt and jeans, boots off now.

“Nice socks you got there,” I smile to ease my nerves and keep things light.

He glances to the holes his big toes are pushing through. “They always wear out, my feet are so big.” Meeting my gaze he asks, “What’s up? Heard something?”

I’m still thinking about his big feet as I stammer, “I’m going to call my dad soon. Thought you’d want to listen.”

He sucks on his lips and shoves his hands in his pockets, not inviting me in. “Sure.”

“On a hike.”

“A what?”

Pointing my chin at the red mountains out the far hallway window, I shrug, “Sherry said there’s good hiking. People camp, stuff like that. We’re getting some fresh air today.”

Flashing those perfect teeth, the ones Sage always envied before hers were straightened, he laughs, “Oh we are, are we?”

“Get your boots on, buddy, time to go!” I grin back, relieved he’s acting playfully.

He hesitates on a decision, then walks inside as I lean on the door to hold it, watching him dip down to pick his boots up off the carpet, giving me a tantalizing view of his ass, the jeans snug in the reach. “Never saw you as much of a tree hugger,” he mutters.

“Did I say we were going to hug trees?”

Yanking the zipper up on each boot he challenges me, “I’ll pay you cash money if you do it and let me take a picture.”

“How much?”

Pursing his lips in thought, he snatches the plastic key from his dresser. “Hundred bucks.”

“Ooooo, steep! You’re on.” As we head down the hall I ask, “What’re you going to do with the photo?”

“Post it to the porn sites.” Off my look he adds, “You know, Sunset magazine, all those nature ones that’ll cream themselves over you hugging a Cypress.”

“Do they have Cypresses here?”

“Who the fuck knows? Wouldn’t be able to identify any tree but pine, since they’re Christmas trees. Oh, and fir. Same reason.”

I watch him hit the elevator button for the lobby, fingernails clean for the first time in a while, days without bike repair or maintenance work.

“You’d know a weeping willow, like the one we parked under.”

He chews on his cheek. “Yeah, and I just thought of the oaks at our home. Okay, I know more trees than I think,” he smiles.

Thinking of that damn oak Atlas and I hid behind, I walk into the elevator car first and push the shiny L-button. Luke scratches his red stubble as he walks in, stands beside me, neither of us talking as we descend. Could have taken the stairs, only one floor, but we’re on vacation.

Plus, I like being alone with him here.

“You letting a beard grow out to make Meg proud?”

He chuckles, “Nah, just lazy. I think it looks weird with the ginger beard, black hair, don’t you?”

“No, I’ve always liked how unique it is.”

Our eyes lock, then break away as the doors slide, an interruption of lobby busy with families of tourists checking in. Sherry welcomes them to Sedona with her cheery smile.

Luke and I stroll through, maneuvering our way around multiple suitcases in various colors, coats thrown over some, ribbons tied over handles to identify them at baggage claim. Sunlight splashes onto us, and both of us check the sky out to gauge the weather.

“Clear day.”

“Just a few clouds,” he agrees.

“Where you two headed?”

We look to our right and see Tyler sitting on a bench, thumbs tapping on his phone. Inwardly I cuss like crazy, because I want this hike to be just us. But I can’t show Tyler that, so inviting him is mandatory. Fuck fuck fuck. Raking my hair back I mutter, “Hiking, want to go?”

“Jeezus, you are bored,” he says, tapping something off before looking up again.

Sneaking a glance to Luke, I try to read him as he says, “Better than sitting in my room.” Don’t know if he’s secretly hoping Tyler will say no. His face is devoid of opinion.

Ty leans back and stretches his shoulders on a groan. “I’m going to do something I never do, too.” A sly smile tugs at his lips. “Get a massage. You guys have fun.”

Luke smirks, “Don’t get the happy ending. Inez will lose her shit.”

“Like she always does, you mean?” Ty laughs. “Nah, I joke about it but I love how jealous she gets. Look at this mug.” He points to his face, drawing a circle around it with his nail-bitten finger. “If she thinks someone wants this, she must love me. You call your father about that new guy yet, Soph?”

“You mean since I saw you at breakfast?”

“I’ll take that as a no.”

“We’re going to call him in a few minutes. Soon as we get out there where it’s nice and quiet.”

Luke teases me, “Sofia’s scared.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s it. I’m terrified.”

“You are.”

“Am not.”

“Are too, look at your eyes.”

I grab his finger and smack it away, holding it a second longer than I should. Meeting Tyler’s amused smile I ignore the knowing look in his eyes. “We’re outta here. Hotels feel like prison if I stick around them too long.”

He nods, agreeing, “Yeah, I’m gonna walk around town today like you schmucks have been doing this week, get that massage, eat some great food. Drink a lot. You guys want to meet me for dinner at that Mexican place up the road? Forget the name, but it’s the one that looks like the real deal.”

Luke nods, “I’m in. Have a craving for guacamole.”

“Ah man, I always judge a Mexican place by their guac.”

“Same. We’ll see how they measure up. Seven?”

“Yup, see you then.” Ty looks down at his phone buzzing in his hand. “My baby’s calling to bitch at me. Should I tell her about the massage before or after?”

We both say, pretty loudly, “After!”

He grins and we head off, the sound of his greeting her fading in our wake. Halfway to our bikes Tyler shouts, “Tell Jett I want to be in on the vote, even though I’m not in that house anymore!”

I throw him a wave and mount my Triumph, braiding my hair quickly, since with one nod we silently agreed not to wear helmets. In rural areas when we’re just going for a ride, pull us over and give us a ticket, we don’t care. It’s a gorgeous day we don’t want to waste a drop of, and we’re so skilled we won’t drop these babies in a place like this.

Damn shame not to feel the wind.

Luke pulls his hair into a bun, sitting on his Harley parked just ahead of me. Soaking in my view I watch broad shoulder-muscles move under his t-shirt as he loops shining black sheets into uneven circles. He glances back and catches the look in my eyes, his flickering with self-awareness, then shifting to amusement. A sexy smirk flashes and he gives me a wink.

“Oh shut up,” I mutter, trying not to smile.

“I saw you checking me out.”

“Just waiting for you to finish primping.”

“Sure you were,” he chuckles, starting the engine.

Our rides roar to life, revved a couple times before we take off. Except for visiting Sean, we haven’t worn our jackets since we arrived and today is no different.

I think we want to stay anonymous here, normal tourists but without fanny packs, bright clothing, and cameras. The halter I’ve got on is my own, though I considered wearing Celia’s white one today when I went back to my room after tasteless eggs and passable bacon.

Thought it would be too obvious since I never wear white. I’m pushing it as it is, with this hike…and what I hurried out and bought before knocking at his room.

This shirt is black faded to slate grey from a hundred washes, jeans torn at the knees by time, not fashion. When I bought these, they were intact. I like earning my rips—the history means something to me. And I know Luke feels the same.

Curvy roads that smell like pine needles about to catch fire from the sun beating hard, take us out of town into red sandstone slopes that surround the valley.

I can’t get this smile off my face and I don’t even wanna try. The beauty of riding my bad boy with a view like this, few cars on the road, Luke leading the way, is exactly what heaven must be like.

Oh Soph, listen to yourself.

You’re in trouble.

Claw your way out before it’s too late.

He glances back and points to a sign that says Red Rock State Park, with a drawing of a hiker on it, another one with tents, another with restrooms. I nod agreement that it’ll do, and we turn right, drive a ways and finally pull into one of the smaller parking lots. It’s got only two cars in it, an empty four door, and an orange vintage Volkswagen bus with the canopy propped up. Two granola-heads wave at us as we dismount.

“Nice hog!” the man in flip-flops says. “I’ve never seen a seat like that.” He points to my Triumph as I tuck the key into my tight pocket. “Is that leather?”

“Yep, only the best when it comes to this guy,” I smile while pulling out a paper sack I’d stashed inside my saddlebags.

“Where ya from?”

Luke answers, “Everywhere.”

“Nice,” the guy nods. They return to cooking a late breakfast on a hot plate.

Luke and I head into the woods. He pulls out his phone to take that picture of me. “What’s in the bag?”