Engagement ring be damned. He tucked a wisp of hair undulating like an inflatable tube man behind her ear.

“You miss her.”

“Every single day. She wanted to see this view. I wish she could have.” She gave him her phone. “Will you take my picture again? Last one.”

“Sure.” He took the phone, determined to put a smile back on her face. She made the effort to get here. Might as well enjoy it.

Before she could figure out what he was doing and stop him, Dylan leaned back against the rail. He held the phone at arm’s length. “Look up. Smile.” He grinned the same time she did and captured their shot.

“You sneak. You know I’m going to have to delete that.”

He wished she wouldn’t. He liked her smile.

Putting a little space between them, Dylan took a picture of her. Damn, she was gorgeous. He then quickly texted the photo of the two of them to his phone, the one powered down at the bottom of his bag, and deleted the text before handing her the device. Next they sat down for lunch at the Yavapai Tavern. Joy sipped a Coke and Dylan rehydrated with a beer. He wasn’t driving, and he needed to chill. They both ordered burgers.

At some point during the meal, Joy unfolded the bucket list. She smoothed the creased paper on the table and crossed out do something daring. A closed-lip smile spread on his face. He felt smug. Thanks to him she’d completed another bucket list item and he wanted to beat his chest like a fucking ape. Then she rolled her lips over her teeth and tapped the pencil tip on the table. Her brows pulled together and that cute little pucker of skin was back. She flipped the pencil and erased the line she’d just made.

“Why’d you do that? I dared you to drive me to New York.” So much for the chest pounding.

“You can’t be two things on my list. That’s cheating. Don’t worry, I’m not going to make you find a cab back to Flagstaff.”

“Good to know.” He glowered, then gestured at the list. “What do you have in mind then?”

“For something daring?” She tapped the eraser against her lips. “No idea. But I’ll let you know when I think of something.” She then crossed out do something you’ve always wanted to do.

Dylan spun the paper so that he could read it. “What was that one?” He flipped it back around.

“See the Grand Canyon.” She lifted her hands, gesturing around her. Duh.

He wasn’t so sure about that. “Truth?”

“Is that another dare, as in you dare me to listen to what you really think?”

He shrugged.

Joy folded her arms on the table. “Okay. I’m all ears.”