“It’s only been seventy-five minutes.” Andie laughed, checking her Fitbit. “That’s barely even one hour.”

“Well, it feels like ten,” Julia grumbled, as she paused to rest in the shade of a massive pine tree.

“You should have eaten more at breakfast,” Andie chided, adding, “and that sedentary lifestyle of yours isn’t helping.” Andie kept walking, short legs eating up the path with brisk efficiency. “I’ve been telling you for years to get out and move more.”

“If I strangled her right now, would that be considered murder or self-defense?” Julia wondered aloud, watching as her sporty friend outpaced the corgi caravan and disappeared around another curve in the trail.

Kat snorted. “You’d have to catch her first.”

“Good point.” Julia sighed and let Kat pull her forward. “What happened to your Bridget accent?”

“I got tired of it.” Kat shrugged. “Besides, it doesn’t matter, since Bridget’s boy toy isn’t around anyway. I haven’t seen Zach since breakfast.”

“Maybe he’s not fond of nature,” Julia suggested.

“Maybe he’s not fond of me,” Kat countered.

“Please. He was all over you last night.” Julia swatted at a mosquito attempting to make her its next victim. “Ack! Why are we even out in the woods? The first part of the tour made sense. Even though we were getting buried in details, I get seeing all the great stuff the resort has to offer. But I don’t understand how a nature walk can be considered part of the rom-com experience.”

“Are you kidding?” Kat shook her head. “Think of all the romantic comedies that have characters taking a walk around Central Park, or going on hikes, or strolling through a garden.”

“Yeah, but aren’t those romantic walks supposed to happen with, oh, I don’t know…” Julia upped the snark ratio in her voice. “Someone you want to get romantic with?”

“Not always.” Kat sidled up next to Julia and put an arm around her waist. “Sometimes it’s a chance for a group of friends to catch up and talk about who they’re interested in getting romantic with.”

“Well, I don’t see anyone around here who matches that description, so…”

“Come on. We both know who you want to get romantic with,” Kat teased.

“I’m not here looking for my soul mate.” Julia’s face scrunched into a stubborn pout as she stared down at her notepad. “I’m here to do a job.”

“If you say so,” Kat muttered.

“What was that?” Julia asked, her voice sharp.

“Nothing.” Kat shrugged.

“I know you, Kat. That little comment was not nothing.” Julia was too crabby to let this slide. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“Fine.” Kat took a breath. “I know you’re hoping for the same thing I am.”

“You do, huh?” Julia stopped walking and put her hands on her hips. “And what’s that?”