Would You Rather by Allison Ashley

Author:Allison Ashley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQ Fiction
Published: 2022-08-23T13:38:45+00:00

* * *

Noah had been right. The lake at the head of the trail was worth the hike, with crystal clear water perfectly reflecting the trees and mountains beyond. They took a break on some rocks and passed around a bag of Mia’s homemade granola, chatting and relaxing.

“I swear, Mia. You should open up your own bakery,” Claire said.

Mia tossed another chunk of granola in her mouth. “Nah. I’d love to write a cookbook someday, though.”

Graham got up and walked near the water while the other three remained seated.

“Excited to start school next week?” Noah asked, even though he had to know the answer. She’d been talking about it nonstop.

“I’m so ready,” Mia said.

Claire took the bag from Noah. “What classes are you starting with?”

“Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutrition and the Life Cycle, and a few food service and management courses.”

“Sounds intense,” Claire said.

Mia shrugged. “I have a lot of time to make up for. No time to waste.”

“You’re gonna do great,” Noah said with confidence. “Top of the class, you’ll see.”

A little while later, Mia asked Graham to take a picture of her and Noah and, with Claire’s words fresh on her mind, she placed herself in front of Noah’s body and pulled his arms around her. He hesitated only briefly before molding his body to her back and hugging her close to rest his chin on her head. She took a few selfies with Claire too, and once Claire stated she’d had enough outside time, they made their way back to the cabin.

While Claire declared a nap to be next on her agenda, Graham took a fishing pole down to the shore of a small lake nearby. A beat-up metal canoe floated in the water, tied to the post of a wooden dock jutting out into the blue-green water.

Noah nodded his head toward the boat. “Wanna check out what’s on the other side?”

His eyes shone with the excitement of even the simplest of adventures, and suddenly Mia was sixteen again, going out on the water with him for the first time. It was in the middle of a lake that day she’d unknowingly started what would become their most cherished ritual. They’d been floating in the middle of the calm waters, the boat gently rocking, and she’d studied the expanse of the lake and looked up at the sky.

“Would you rather be a fish or a bird?” she’d asked, embarrassed immediately at how silly she probably sounded.

Noah hadn’t laughed at her, though. He’d thought on it for a minute, then said, “Fish.”

His answer had surprised her, and she’d glanced back at him. “Why?”

He’d shrugged, dipping the paddle smoothly into the water. “They’re not as visible. People wouldn’t be able to see me unless I wanted them to.”

It was such a Noah answer.

Now, some fourteen years later, she warmed at the memory.

She grinned. “Sure.”

Mia enjoyed the view as he moved them through the water, strong and steady. It had been a long time—too long—since she’d done something like this with him.

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