I lean against him as we look out over the city skyline. He keeps his arm around me, and I’m grateful for it, both because it’s cute and because I’m pretty sure I’ll topple over without the support.

Finally, I tell him I’m good, and we head back down the mountain. My throat’s on fire by the time a driver comes to take us to our next location, and I imagine I smell terrible. One thing I miss about the days I used to carry a purse is that I never have body spray on me anymore. What I wouldn’t give for a free shower or even a little Febreze.

“I’m taking you to lunch,” Drew says, and I smile because I could use the fuel and the water, which I still haven’t had.

When we step out of the car, I’m wobbly on my feet. Drew steers me toward the restaurant, and we sit out on a little patio where I’m finally able to collapse and down two glasses of water.

“You okay?” he asks.

I nod, but I feel like my whole life is on fire. I’m going home after this date to collapse for three years and never leave my closet again.

He smiles, placing a hand over mine. “I probably should’ve warned you about the hike.”

I laugh, brushing some sweat off my face. “It’s fine.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

I blush, turning my face away. “Sorry.”

“We can save the outdoor dates for after we get you in shape,” he says. “Honestly, I just got really excited since I haven’t seen you all week. I mean, excited to work on updates for the Diary, of course. Can’t say I didn’t miss all the attention.”

I look up at that, my mouth gaping. “Wait, really? I thought you were avoiding me.”

“I told you I was busy.”

“I know, but I thought you were just doing that thing where people say they’re busy because they’re too nice to say they don’t want to see you.”

He laughs, and it sounds lovely, and I feel all the hesitation wash away from me. Why did I backpedal? Why did I forget how lucky I am to have found Drew?

“I definitely wanted to see you,” he says. “Things have just been kind of rough at home.”

“How so?” I ask, my voice low. I don’t want him to feel like he has to answer, but if he wants to, I want him to.

He gives me a soft smile and says, “My parents are getting divorced. It’s not a big deal for me, but my brother’s nine, and he’s taking it really hard. I’ve been trying to keep his spirits up, you know?”