The man chucked his poker stick into the fire and leaned back with a look of contentment. “Nowhere particular. I go where I like, I follow what’s interesting. You have a good spot here, close to the river. If you want, I can show you a great day hike, save yourself the trouble of breaking and setting up camp somewhere else.”

Dany looked to Brad to gauge his reaction. Even if the guy was a little woodsy, it was hard to resist the twinkle of his blue eyes and handsome, trustworthy face.

“I wouldn’t mind a day without my pack,” Brad admitted.

“Done,” Dany agreed. “Where are we headed?”

“Don’t you like a little mystery?” the man asked with a flirtatious smile, which he shared easily with the couple.

SUNLIGHT STREAMED through the trees as the trio set off down the trail. The forest was alive with the activity of birds and small animals busily preparing themselves for the oncoming winter. Dany’s eyes traced over the handsome figure of the hiker marching ahead of him and he decided to make an effort. “So what’s your name, anyway?”

“I’m sorry. I guess we skipped that part, huh?” The guy laughed easily and cast a friendly smile over his shoulder, “I’m Adam.”

Brad hurried to join alongside Dany and raised his eyebrows in a silent question mark, asking how to proceed. Dany glanced from his boyfriend to the handsome newcomer and back again with a grin. With a shrug, he nodded his head and smiled. An excited and anxious feeling rose in the pit of his stomach, it was like the feeling he’d had so long ago on his first date with Brad. Only this time, they were doing it together. He realized suddenly that he wanted it to happen; the pendulum had swung and he could tell by the expression on his boyfriend’s face that he shared his excitement.

“So how come you came out here alone?” Brad called ahead to Adam casually. “There must be someone missing you, a girlfriend, a boyfriend?”

“I like being alone,” Adam answered simply as he meandered down the path quietly for a few moments before adding, “Don’t get me wrong, I like people too, I just don’t need them around all the time.”