Reed: Good morning, beautiful.

When I turned over and checked my phone the next morning that was the first thing I saw. Memories of the previous night came flooding back to me. My date with Max, seeing Reed, then seeing Reed again at my doorstep.

I told him I needed more time, but I didn't want to be a total jerk either, so I typed out a quick response.

Me: Good morning.

Before I was able to set the phone back down on my bedside table it was buzzing in my hand. Reed's name flashed across the screen. Why the heck was he calling? I sat up in bed looking around the empty room like it would give me an answer. I scooted back against the headboard and stared at the phone for another second before I decided to answer.

"Hello?" My deep morning voice croaked through the phone. There maybe he'd think I was a man?

"Pen, did you just wake up?"

Seeing as I hadn't fooled him with my sleep ladened voice I took a moment to clear my throat before responding.

"Maybe."

"Are you all snuggled up in bed with all your covers? I miss waking up to you like that." His voice was low and gravely. I could hear the need in it.

"Reed, why did you call?"

He sighed on the other end of the line.

"I wanted to see if you’re free around ten-thirty today."

I moved the phone from my face to see what time it was. The display said 7:53.

"For what?"

"I had some things planned that I thought could be fun for us to do today."

I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I didn't have plans. I was going to lounge around. Maybe hang with Noel later.

"Look, I know you said you needed time. We can just hang out as friends, no expectations."

I got out from the comfort of my bed and went to the window. The streets were pretty quiet, but I knew the hustle and bustle of the weekend would soon have them filled.

"What should I wear?"

***

At ten-thirty sharp there were three rapid knocks at my door. I gave myself one more once over in the mirror to make sure my outfit looked ok. He said to dress casual. I'd opted for a pair of denim shorts, black-and-white striped shirt, and a pair of black and white Sperrys.

There was another knock on the door. I grabbed my purse off of the couch and went to open it.. My stomach got those stupid little flutters. Reed was standing there in khaki shorts and a turquoise polo that looked great against his skin. Turquoise was my favorite color. I had no doubt he wore the shirt for my benefit.

"You look great," he said leaning in for a hug. I was slightly disappointed that he didn't try to kiss me. Not even a little peck. He had said he would respect my wishes and this would be more of a friend's thing.

"Thank you."

I closed and locked my front door. We walked in silence to his car. His hand rested lightly on my lower back guiding me as if I didn't know where his car was located. He wasn't slick. As always he opened my door for me and made sure I was secured in before he shut it. He rounded the car and slid into the driver seat.

"So, what are we doing?"

He glanced at me briefly before facing back to the road. A small smile gracing his face.

"Don't you want to be surprised?"

I laid my head back on the head rest and rolled my face toward him.

"Eh, surprises are overrated."

"We're going to the state park. I thought we could bike around some trails and do some paddle boating."

I looked down at my shoe choice.

"I should have worn tennis shoes."

Reed's hand rested on my thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"You'll be fine. We aren't doing anything crazy. We'll stick to the simple trails."

When we reached the park Reed paid for our entrance fee. He found a parking spot that had some shade from a tree and hopped out. He opened my door and helped me out and then pulled a backpack from his trunk.

He walked back to where I was standing with the backpack secured on his back. Before I could protest he grabbed my hand in his locking our fingers together. He smiled down at me with his adorable grin. Letting my guard down I smiled back.

Reed led me to the bike rental stand. We picked our bikes, and he paid the attendant. After getting settled on our bikes we started down a trail close to where we parked. The path was surrounded by plush green trees that towered high above us. There were splashes of greens, yellow, and purple all around from wild flowers and other wild growth. My eyes scanned around trying to take in all the beauty surrounding us.

As we rode side by side, Reed told me little facts about different plants, animals, and the park. He had a lot of knowledge about all things nature. We'd been riding about a half an hour when we stopped at a little clearing. There was a bench that overlooked a lake. The view was breathtaking. I pulled out my phone to take a picture.

"Here," Reed held his hand out for my phone. "I'll take a picture of you in front of it."

I handed over the phone and posed for the picture.

"That came out great," he said as he walked closer to where I stood. I held my hand out for the phone but he ignored me.

"I want to take a picture of us with the lake as the background."

I rolled my eyes at him but it didn't deter him. He slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me in close to him. He lowered his face until it was flush against mine. His long arm held the phone out until both of our faces were on the screen.

"Say cheese," he said. I didn't, but I did smile at the camera as he clicked the button to capture the picture.

"Okay, one more just in case the first one didn't turn out."

I didn't protest considering I sometimes took twenty or more selfies until I found one I liked.

"Ready...one, two, three." On three I felt Reed's hand squeeze my hip and his warm lips on my cheek. He tricked me.

"Perfect," he said smiling while looking at the sneak attack picture he'd taken.

"What they heck, Reed?"

"What?" His voice sounded innocent. The smirk on his face said he was anything but.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

"You know what," I said poking him in the side.

He wrapped his other arm around me pulling me into a full embrace. His eyes dropped to meet mine. They were full of heat.

"I couldn't help myself."

My hands moved up and were rested on his chest. If I wasn't careful, I'd be pulling him down into a full on mouth to mouth session.

"What about just hanging out as friends?"

He smiled wider while his hands moved slowly up and down my sides.

"I tried but we both know that we aren't just friends. We've always been more than friends. Even when we first met I knew you were more."

I removed my hands from his chest and started to step back. He released me allowing me to put some distance between us.

"We'd better get back to it," I said heading back to my bike.

"Yeah, we're getting close to the paddle boats, anyway."

His voice lost some of its enthusiasm from just a moment before. I felt a pang of guilt but quickly pushed it to the back of my mind. We didn't talk again until we reached the paddle boats. I could tell Reed had been in deep thought as we rode. I wanted to know what was going on in his head. Was he plotting his next move or thinking of how to end the trip early? The latter made my stomach turn. Yes, I was still upset. At the same time, my heart wasn't ready to be done.

"Have you ever been on a paddle boat before?" He asked interrupting my thoughts.

"Nope, this will be my first time."

"You're going to love it." His smile returned to his face as he took my hand and led me to our boat.

He helped me secure my life jacket and get onto the boat. Being in the middle of the water was refreshing. It was calming seeing water stretched out all around us and past that nothing but trees and mother nature. I loved living in our city, but there was nothing like the beauty of the country. We talked about everything and nothing at all as we peddled our way around the lake.

We were on the lake about an hour when we decided we were both hungry. We returned the boat to the check in area and biked back to Reed's car. Reed's coworkers told him about a place that served all locally raised and grown organic food. We decided to stop there for a late lunch before heading back home.

***

"Penelope, wake up. We're home, baby."

My eyes opened a crack before closing again. The sun was too bright. I tried again and managed to keep them open this time. I stretched my arms and legs out as best as I could while letting out a long groan. I turned my head and Reed's intense gaze bore into me. I flashed him a sheepish smile and shrugged my shoulders.

"Sorry, I'm worn out."

"Don't apologize. I just hope that you had a good time."

"I did."

Reed walked me to my door. I unlocked it and turned to say bye. When I did, his hands were on either side of the door frame caging me between him and the door. He leaned down and my eyes automatically fluttered shut.

His lips were soft and warm. He ran his tongue along my bottom lip before using it to part them. I braced the door frame under him for balance and support. Our mouths molded to one another's in desperation. It was him that pulled back first. I could see the rapid rise and fall of his chest. It matched the erratic beat of my heart.

"I want more than anything to come inside with you right now but I know that's not an option. Not yet, anyway. I know I still have a way to go and a lot to prove but I hope today was a good start. I've missed spending time with you. Just being in your presence has made me happier than I've been in a while."

"It was a really good day," I said, and it had been.

"I love you, Penelope. I'll call you before bed."

With one last kiss to my forehead he was gone.