The rain was heavy and the winds were strong. Alice continued to trudge her way through the storm back toward their car. She was hungry, tired, and had detested this trip since before they left. Her light blue, North Face wind breaker clung tight to her body. Her long auburn hair, dripped water down her back, and her icy blue eyes peered carefully through every drop of rain as she took each step down the mountain.
Ashton on the other hand was having the time of his life. He found himself sliding down the dirt path, his khaki Columbia pants taking on a new shade of brown. His smile was beaming through the down pour, pissing Alice off even more.
“Babe! Watch this!” Ashton had found a piece of cardboard and was now attempting to slide down a portion of the mud soaked path.
“Ash, seriously? You are not getting in the car like that!” Alice called after him. He was gone before she could get another word in. She wasn’t even sure he heard her. “Ash! What the hell! Wait for me!” Her fury was starting to grow legs.
In a moment of panic and not being able to see Ash, Alice’s feet started moving quicker. The feeble ground gave way and she slipped. Unable to stop herself, the impact of gravity and rain carried her down the path at a pace just faster than she was able to stop herself. Fear began to set in. This was the steepest part of the downhill and she was already scared Ash had fallen off the side of the cliff.
With a quick thud, she slammed into what she thought was a tree and fell straight backwards. When she opened her eyes, she found Ash peering over her, her head in his arms, a look of concern clouding his face.
“Cece, are you okay? Do I need to carry you down the rest of the way? Because I will. I swear I will. I’ll put you right in the car and take you straight home and shower you and dress you and get you cuddled up in bed. Then I’ll make you some fresh tomato basil soup and grilled cheese and put on Legally Blonde or She’s The Man and get those little chocolate covered cherries you love and hold you until you fall asleep.”
Suddenly, Alice couldn’t remember why she was so upset. In front of her was this man that just wanted to have a good time with her, even in this unfortunate weather. He knew she wasn’t having fun, but would still go through every effort to make her happy since she did something for him. She couldn’t believe he would do all that. And this wasn’t an isolated incident. She realized she had a habit of getting caught in her own web of frustration because things weren’t going her way.
“Ash, I love you.” His eyes lit up and a smile crept across his face as he leaned in closer. She could smell cherry lip balm and wintergreen mints on his breath. Her heart started to race.
“Good, because I love you too.” Ash looked deep into Alice’s eyes, gave her a gentle eskimo kiss and then closed the space between their lips. There was safety in their embrace.
As they both lay there, holding each other, unable to get enough, the rain started to lighten up.
Ash pulled away and caressed Alice’s face.
“Thank you for coming out today. I know you didn’t want to. I’m sorry I picked such a crappy day for a hike. I should have postponed this.”
“I’m sorry I was such a jerk the whole time. I love spending time with you, and while I may not be a super outdoorsy person, I don’t mind doing the things you enjoy with you… sometimes.” She smirked. “I owe you another hike, free of charge. What do you say?”
“Oh of course. I want to see you on top of a mountain, shining in the sun like the ray of sunshine you are.” Alice blushed. “Now I think it’s time I get you back to the car.” He gave her one more kiss and pulled both of them up off the ground.
Alice smiled and pulled Ashton back into an embrace.
Before he could place his lips back on hers, she whispered in his ear, “Beat you to the bottom.” With that, she took off slipping and sliding her way down the mountain, Ashton not far behind her.
