Burnt by Bella Love-Wins

but you have been studying so hard. I thought maybe I could ask about something else. So...tell me what you know about it.”
    He leaned back against the tree, resting his legs close to hers. “I know it has provided hours of entertainment and it has given me some of my greatest memories.”
    She smiled. “That’s a good start.”
    Kevin’s mind wandered back to their camping trips to the park. After they had passed their driving tests and got their parents’ old cars to drive, it had not taken either of them long to escape for weekend camping trips together. They spent a lot of time at the Iron Horse State Park, which was just over an hour’s drive away.
    “Well,” he started, “you can go biking, hiking, horseback riding, and spend countless hours in front of the fire. You can even go rappelling down a mountain, if you’re the adventurous type.” He winked at her, knowing it was not something she would ever want to do. He couldn’t count the times he tried to convince her.
    “It’s the best place to view wildlife,” he continued, feeling nostalgic. As he processed the information, a smile crossed his face.
    “I have the perfect idea.”
    She closed the book and looked at him. “I’m listening.”
    “Well, what do you say we go next weekend?” He couldn’t imagine being more excited. He was like a little boy on Christmas morning.
    “Go where?” she asked.
    He sighed. “Go to Iron Horse. It’s only an hour drive and we have a three day weekend coming up. We can bring the books along and we’ll be in the headquarters of wildlife. Besides, you can’t tell me you wouldn’t like to get out of town for a little bit. Leave on Friday and come back on Sunday. What do you say?”
    Tara was hesitant about the idea. “I don’t know...” she replied suddenly.
    “Tara, we used to go there several times a year and take a tent and just enjoy the outdoors. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t enjoy it.”
    “True, but...”
    He moved closer to her, placing his hand on hers. A confused look arose on her face. He could see it, but didn’t want to pull his hand away.
    “Do you have better plans for the weekend?”
    She slowly shook her head.
    “Good, then it’s settled. Next weekend we’re going to have a mini vacation like the ones we had always planned. You won’t regret it.”
    She finally smiled, nodding.
    “You’re right. I could use this.” She frowned. “I just hope I can find my tent.”
    “We’ll be fine with one,” he answered. “I’ll use my dad’s old two-room tent.”
    As much as Kevin daydreamed about being close to Tara again, he had to keep things on a friendship level. They were going to study and enjoy camping in nature. Nothing else was in the cards.
    ***
    T ara wondered why she had agreed to go camping with Kevin. Deep down, she felt they were about to make a big mistake. As the week wore on, she rounded up supplies to take along, wondering if she should cancel. They were being foolish if they thought they could spend a platonic weekend camping together. The sexual tension had been building between them.
    “I can’t do it,” she said aloud, and sighed. “He’ll understand.” She stared at herself in the mirror the morning before they were supposed to leave. She needed to tell him at work today, but didn’t know how she would broach the subject. I think I’m coming down with something. The cold air won’t be too good for my lungs. I don’t want to get you sick. Each excuse she came up with made her feel worse. He was so excited about going, which made the thought of ruining his plans agonizing. Still, she had to be honest with herself. She grabbed her stuff and headed toward the door. “Mom, I’m going to work,” she called out.
    “Bye,” her mother called back. She ended up telling her mother what she was doing for the long weekend, because she was frantically looking everywhere for the tent. Tara wondered if she could just go hide out at a hotel, as her mom knew