Chapter 18:
The summer retreat had settled into a rhythm that Emily found comforting. The mornings were spent exploring trails or lounging by the lake, while the evenings brought the group together around the campfire for laughter and shared stories. It was a perfect balance of adventure and peace—except for the secret burning in her pocket.
The letter from Oliver remained unread, hidden in her bag like a ticking time bomb. Emily couldn't fathom how on earth she was going to confront him when they got back. She chose not to invite him due to the tension between him and Max. She wanted to escape the tension with the retreat, not bring herself closer to it.
---
A Quiet Morning
Emily sat on the porch of the cabin early one morning, the letter clutched in her hands. The sun was just beginning to rise, painting the sky in soft hues of pink and gold. She had come out before the others, hoping the stillness would help her sort through her tangled thoughts.
"Couldn't sleep either?"
She jumped at the sound of Max's voice. Turning, she saw him standing at the doorway, his hair tousled from sleep.
"Something like that," she admitted, folding the letter and tucking it into her pocket.
Max stepped outside, carrying two mugs of coffee. He handed one to her before sitting down on the steps.
"You've been quiet the last couple of days," he said, his tone gentle but probing. "Everything okay?"
Emily hesitated, her fingers tightening around the mug. She wanted to tell him about the letter, about the confusion swirling inside her. But the words wouldn't come.
"Just… processing some things," she said finally.
Max nodded, his expression understanding but curious. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here. You know that, right?"
"I know," she said, offering him a small smile.
---
A Day of Adventure
The group decided to spend the afternoon hiking one of the more challenging trails in the area. Emily, determined not to let her healing ankle hold her back, joined in with a stubbornness that earned her a lecture from Sarah.
"Don't push yourself too hard," Sarah warned, her tone bordering on maternal.
"I'll be fine," Emily insisted.
Max stuck close to her throughout the hike, offering his hand whenever the trail became particularly steep or uneven. His quiet presence was a comfort, even as her thoughts kept drifting back to the letter.
At one point, the group paused at a scenic overlook. The view was breathtaking, with rolling hills stretching out under a clear blue sky. Sarah and Alex were busy taking selfies.
Emily caught Max watching her again, his eyes filled with something she couldn't quite name. Before she could ask him about it, he looked away, his jaw tightening as if bracing himself against an unseen storm.
---
A Twist on the Trail
The trail became narrower as they climbed higher, winding through dense woods. Emily's ankle was starting to ache, but she pressed on, determined not to fall behind.
"Emily, wait up!" Max called, jogging to catch up with her.
She turned to see him watching her with concern. "You're limping," he said bluntly.
"I'm fine," she insisted, though the pain was becoming harder to ignore.
Max frowned, stepping closer. "You're not fine. Sit down for a minute."
Before she could argue, her foot slipped on a loose patch of dirt, sending her tumbling forward.
"Emily!" Max shouted, catching her just in time.
She winced as her ankle twisted again, the sharp pain forcing her to sit. Max knelt beside her, his hands steadying her as he inspected her foot.
"You're done for today," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for debate.
Emily groaned. "I'm such a klutz."
"You're stubborn," he corrected, his lips twitching into a small smile. "But that's part of your charm."
---
A Moment of Vulnerability
The others had gone ahead, promising to meet them back at the cabin. Max stayed behind, helping Emily hobble to a flat rock where they could rest.
"Does it hurt a lot?" he asked, his voice softer now.
"Not as much as my pride," she said, attempting a joke.
Max chuckled, his expression relaxing. But then he grew serious, his gaze fixed on her face. "You have no idea how much you scare me sometimes."
Emily blinked, caught off guard. "Scare you? How?"
"When you get hurt, or when you're upset and won't tell me why…" He trailed off, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know how to handle it. I just want to protect you."
Her heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. "Max, you don't have to—"
"I do," he interrupted, his eyes meeting hers. "I care about you, Emily. More than I should, probably."
The words hung between them, heavy with meaning.
"Why do you say 'should'?" she asked quietly.
"Because I don't feel like I'm enough for you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "You deserve someone who has their life together. Someone who can give you everything you need."
She reached out, her hand brushing against his. "Max, you don't have to be perfect. I don't want perfect. I want you."
For a moment, he looked as though he might argue, but then he sighed, his shoulders relaxing. "You make it sound so simple."
"Maybe it is," she said, offering him a small smile.
---
The Return
By the time they made it back to the cabin, the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the retreat. Sarah and Alex rushed to greet them, fussing over Emily's ankle and scolding her for overexerting herself.
As the group settled in for their final night, Emily found herself sitting next to Max by the fire. He didn't say much, but his presence was enough.
And as the flames crackled and the stars appeared overhead, Emily felt a tentative sense of peace.
---