Several minutes later Lauren pulled into a graveled parking lot. She walked to the trunk of the car and returned with a large insulated bag slung over her shoulder. Camila wanted to ask what was inside, but Lauren looked so much like a little girl with a happy secret that Camila decided to let her keep it. She’d guessed that they were heading out toward the coast, but that didn’t lessen her surprise when Lauren helped her out of the car and said, “Close your eyes.” All of her senses came to life as Lauren carefully lead her down the narrow path between rocks. The air around them changed from pine needles to salt spray as Lauren stopped walking and dropped her bag.“Go ahead, babe. Open your eyes.”Camila’s eyes fluttered open and she wasn’t prepared for the incredible sight that awaited her. They stood atop Astrid Cliff, one of Parson’s Park best kept secret. The massive cliff rose twenty feet above the ground and was surrounded by blue-green water that was so vibrant her brain could hardly believe it was real, that it hadn’t been painted just for them. The white-capped surf was heavy with rolling breakers crashing in explosions of foam against the rocks below. The sound of the sea was in her ears, as well, and she could smell salt in the fresh air.“Lauren,” she said with giddy wonder, “this is beautiful.” Camila tightened her arms around Lauren’s neck and nuzzled her. “You’re the best girlfriend ever,” she whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from Lauren’s face. Her chestnut eyes were watchful, hesitant as her lips curved into a slow, easy smile.Lauren brushed her finger across Camila’s lower lip, sending shivers through her. “Say that again,” Lauren asked in a staggered breath. For some reason she was having trouble catching her breath around Camila. Every inch of her body was tingling, and she couldn’t understand why. It wasn’t like her to feel this way. Of course, no one had ever looked at her like that before, either. “Say what?” Camila’s eyebrows quirked in a puzzled way. Her lips lifted but stopped tantalizingly short of a grin—making Lauren fairly positive Camila knew exactly how she was affecting her.“The girlfriend part,” Lauren said, her lips felt all wobbly. Camila cupped the back of Lauren’s neck and kissed her softly, slowly. ”You are the best girlfriend. And I’ll never get tired of saying it,” she muttered against her lips. Camila noted the soft upturn of the older one’s lips. A pleased, touched smile. They walked to an isolated part of the cliff as Lauren spread out the blanket she’d packed. She also unpacked the insulated bag and arranged several different food items onto the blanket. She’d prepared sandwiches, potato chips, and iced tea. “Let’s eat, I’m starving,” she said as she found a spot close to Camila. They ate, chatted amiably, all while enjoying the spectacular view from the top of the cliff. When they had stuffed themselves and the remains of their picnic were returned to the bag, Camila flopped on her back. Lauren walked toward the edge of the cliff. She fearlessly sat on a jutted rock and peacefully surveyed the beautiful ocean while her legs dangled down. The ocean had a hypnotic effect. She gave in to it without a struggle, peacefully watching the turquoise waves roll onto the blindingly white sand. The sunlight hit her a certain way and the first thing that came to Camila’s mind was an angel. Her hair flowing and shiny. Her legs dangling, long and smooth. She looked perfect where she was, like a painting.The white gulls swooped in and out of her vision, their high-pitched cries adding to the symphony of wind and water.“This is seriously the best date ever.”“We’re not done yet,” Lauren replied mischievously. For the briefest second, Camila glimpsed the wild glimmer in Lauren’s eye, that certain spark that made her a little more reckless, a little more daring than the average person. Her green eyes shifted to the edge of the cliff. She knew what Lauren wanted to do before she even said it. Camila felt her face drain of color. “Have you lost your mind?” Camila asked, her stomach twisting with nerves. “Come on, Camzi,” Lauren pleaded as she looked over the edge of the cliff and smiled. “It’s not really that far. I’ve seen other people do it.”A panicked look crossed her expressive face. “That is not my idea of fun. I like to play charades. I like knitting.” She started to back away while slowly nodding her head. “We could get hurt. I’m not doing it,” she voiced in a determined way. Pouting, she twirled a strand of her hair.Lauren gazed back at her, a silly grin still in place. “You know what? You’re kinda cute when you pout like that.”
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