“So, did you like the view?”
Surprised by the unexpected voice Nick started and then looked up at the young woman standing in the isle of the bus. Nick instantly recognized her, and his thoughts flashed back to a secret moment earlier in the afternoon.
The bus had picked up the group early that morning. They were all members of a singles activities club, and today the schedule sent the young men and women hiking up to a mountain lake. After several miles up narrow trails and steep stairs many of the hikers immediately jumped into the cold water. After lunch the group split up til three, when the descent was to begin.
As half the group returned to the water in the hot sun Nick started to hike around the lake. He’d made out most of the way around when he found a sunlit beach, nestled between old rock slides. Excited by the potential of a quick naked swim Nick had started towards the beach only to realize it was already occupied.