He points to a large tree and says, “That might be a good spot. Take a bottle of water with you.”

Not comfortable with this at all, I walk over to the tree, and before I can even consider starting to get ready, he jogs after me with a flashlight.

“Hold on. Let me check and see if there is any poison ivy. Squatting over that would not be fun.” He checks around the tree and then nods. “You’re good. Do you want to keep this flashlight so you can see better?”

“Yeah, that would be great. Thanks.”

“Holler if you need anything.”

He jogs off, and for a second, I watch him. Never would I have imagined that the man I met on the street that one Friday morning would turn out to be so kind…thoughtful…caring. The way he uses his words makes me feel important, validated. His attitude toward the whole camp, so positive compared to what I was living with for so long. Matt was always negative, always complaining about something. It…it took a toll on me. So being around Wilder feels like a breath of fresh air.

Awkwardly, I take care of business, hating every second of it. I’m so not an outdoorsy girl. And because I was so scared of peeing all over my only pair of clothes, I took my underwear and pants off, peed, and then slipped everything else back on. I will dehydrate myself before I have to do that again. Mark my words.

I brush my teeth next and then head back to camp, where Wilder is standing in front of the tent with a worried look on his face.

“What?” I ask. “Oh God, did you see me with my pants off back there?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Uh, I was just setting up the tent, and it seems like there’s only one large sleeping bag…for two.”

I gulp, because I think we all know what that means.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

“Yeah, I scoured the bin. And there’s only one pillow. I think that was their intention.”

“You could say that,” I say as I rub my arm, the chill of the night setting in as the fire goes out and the only light provided is by the lantern and the moon peeking through the tall trees. “Well, um, I guess I could take the pillow and you could⁠—”

“I’m going to stop you right there. That’s not happening.”

“We can take turns sleeping.”

“Scottie.” He levels with me. “We’re both adults. We’ve been sharing a bed ever since we got here. We can make this happen. I just need to know that you’re going to be okay with…snuggling.”

With you?

Absolutely.