“Happy Birthday,” I whisper in Mimi’s ear as I hand her a small bunch of daisies I picked from a bush near my cabin.
She glances down at the pathetic, floppy flowers and looks at me over her shoulder with the most gorgeous ear-to-ear smile.
“These little guys will have to do, until I can find a florist to send you a million roses.” I want to tell her how much more it would be if we weren’t stuck in log cabins in the middle of the woods.
“A million, huh? That’s a little excessive, don’t you think?” Her fingers wrap around mine as she grabs the small bouquet, lingering for a few moments longer than they should, sending shivers down my spine.
“Not for you,” I respond back instantly.
“How did you find out?” she asks.
“I have my sources,” I say confidently before shifting my gaze up to the camp leader as she gives us the details on tonight's event.
“Shane told you, didn’t he?”
“Yup. His loyalties have changed, sweetheart. He likes me better than he likes you.” I place my hands in my pockets as I roll back on my heels.
“So then, tell me. How do I know your birthday is tomorrow then?”
Damn him.
I pin her with a playful but dirty look.
“Fine, you win. But you have to promise to save me the last dance tonight.”
Shane told me the camp leaders put together a dance every year. We only have two more full days until we leave on Saturday, and the dance is happening tonight. I’m hoping to spend the entire night dancing with Mimi before we sneak out to lounge by the lake like we’ve done every night this week.
The late nights with her have made this entire overnight camp trip worth it.
Most of our time there is spent talking, but last night we kissed for hours. I couldn’t keep my hands off her, and by the end of the night, our lips were swollen. When we finally parted ways, I had a horrible case of blue balls. It was so bad I had to relieve myself in the bathroom before making it back to my cabin.
At one point, I debated coming in my pants again just to feel relief, but I had no interest in embarrassing myself for a second time.
I’ve been trying to find a way to talk to her about figuring out how to see each other after camp. I know she lives in Texas, and wants to stay close to her parents. She wants to be a teacher, so her plan was to finish school and apply at some community colleges near her home to start working on her degree and teaching credentials.
Maybe, I could make a plan around where she goes. So far, I’ve only applied at a couple universities—the same ones thatHudson applied to—but I know he’s staying in Texas, so this could work.
I want to bring it up without sounding desperate, and I want to talk to her about it tonight before I miss my chance.
“Just the last dance?” she asks, pinning me with an equally playful look.
I lean in, grazing my lips against her ear as I place my hand at the small of her back, making any excuse to touch her.
“I’ll take all of them, if you’ll let me.” I secretly kiss her temple while no one is looking. The camp leaders call for us to break out in our curricular courses today.
We all had to pick three classes on the first day we started camp. They are all classes that teach skills revolving around wilderness and camping.
Shane and I have the same archery class, and it’s been great getting to know him. He’s down to Earth and easy to get along with. I can see why he and Mimi have been friends for so long.
The survival skills course I selected has been amazing in regards to content and what I’ve learned, but Wes and Nathan are in that class with me, and I swear I lose brain cells just being around them. Wes isn’t half bad by himself, but when the two are together, it’s a torture I wouldn’t wish against my worst enemy.
Mimi and I happen to both select hiking, which is obviously my favorite. Not the hiking part. The Mimi part.
After the full day events, we head back to our cabin to get ready for the dance. I spent a majority of the day practicing my ‘how to win Mimi over for life’ speech, coming to the conclusion that I have no idea how I’m going to even start the conversation without sounding like an obsessive lunatic.
I just hope when the time is right, it comes out smooth and I don’t sound like a blubbering idiot.
Shaneand I stroll into the dance hall together. We decided to be fashionably late because Shane said that creates anticipation for girls if they are waiting on guys. I think he is entirely mistaken considering the entire camp is pretty much on the dance floor, not giving any shits about who isn’t here yet.
