I did a pretty great job of planning this day trip, but I totally underestimated how much I would want to kiss him in public. And while I loved our raft mates, Oliver and Sawyer were not the best wingmen. In fact, they were terrible, what with making all the kissing noises whenever Jasper and I would come close to having a moment and splashing us with water and yelling, “Cool it!” every calm moment we had.

Jasper links his fingers through mine before pulling me gently into his side and touching his lips to my forehead. “Then it’s settled,” he whispers into my ear.

Despite the scorching summer weather and being pressed into his warm skin, chill bumps cover my arms as we climb up the steps to the bus. Jasper’s grip on my hand never loosens as we make our way down the narrow aisle. The group of women celebrating their friend’s upcoming nuptials go quiet when we pass them, all their attention lasering in on Jasper. My skin tingles when their stares fall to me and I try not to imagine what’s being said through hushed voices.

Jasper slides onto the vinyl seat, giving my hand a slight tug so I fall into place right beside him before his arm drapes over my shoulders.

We don’t say anything as we sit and wait for everyone to board the bus. Instead, we let the silence say everything neither one of us is prepared to. I knew today was going to be fun, but I wasn’t prepared for it to make me feel as close to Jasper as it did. I let my eyelids fall shut, trying as hard as I can to preserve this moment for the rest of my life.

It was the perfect day and it’s not even over yet.

CHAPTER 17

“I cannot believe this is happening right now.” My head falls against the white-painted cinder-block wall behind me as I wait for the mechanic to update us.

After the buses dropped us back off at the parking lot where our cars were, we hopped in and drove to downtown Salida. We parked along the street and wandered around, taking in all the Victorian buildings, which are still in peak condition. I took Jasper to my favorite restaurant on the river. We ate and talked as we watched the kayakers glide by, reminiscing about our time on the river. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Then we climbed into my Jeep, ready for the long drive home . . . and nothing.

The car wouldn’t start.

I called a tow truck, hoping a jump was all I’d need, but of course it wasn’t.