She continued upward, but stopped with a gasp at the first small lookout. She took her bag off and rummaged in it until she found her camera, then fussed around with the controls, aiming it at the view over Destiny Valley. Green trees and bush stretched for miles, fading into the yellower shades of tussock in the distance. I moved closer, eager to see what she was capturing on the screen.

“I’m glad you brought your camera,” I said as she lined up another shot, this one with a branch from a nearby tree artfully framing the image. “Have you kept up with photography?”

“I wish.” She lowered the camera and kept it out while she zipped her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to, and once I started acting, the shine wore off. Being in front of a camera all the time is exhausting. But I’m getting back into it now.”

“I’m glad.” There was a twinge in my heart at the knowledge she’d had to give up something she’d enjoyed so much, but I suspected it was only one of many things she’d sacrificed for the sake of her family.

We continued walking, stopping every now and then for Kennedy to take photographs. When we reached a small waterfall beside the trail, she insisted I stand beside it and pose for her. She leaned back, her forehead furrowed as she tried to find the best angle. I heard the scrape of rock, and then one of her legs slipped out from under her. I lunged forward, catching her around the waist. The air whooshed from her lungs, and she gripped my upper arm, staring at me with wide eyes, her camera still clutched in her other hand.

“Whew, that was close,” she breathed.

My grip tightened on her waist. I should let her go. I knew that. But her slender curves were pressed against me, and holding her felt so right. My heart thudded loudly, drowning out everything else. Her eyes locked on mine and darkened with heat. She swallowed, then her body melted against me, her lips parted, and we were kissing. It was soft, chaste, and over almost as soon as it began, but my mind could scarcely comprehend that it had happened. After all this time, I’d kissed Kennedy Carter, and it had been everything I remembered.

“Thanks for catching me,” she whispered.

“Oh.” I straightened, helping her right herself. My cheeks blazed with heat, and I was sure they must be red. “No problem.”

“I think I’ve got enough photos for now.” She switched her camera off.

Apparently we were going to pretend the kiss hadn’t happened. I shook off my disappointment. I could live with that. For now.

Chapter Thirty-Three

KENNEDY