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Before 30 Bucket List

1. Learn to sew X
2. Take someone else’s drink at Starbucks X
3. Meet someone famous X
4. Learn to make sushi X
5. Swim in the ocean X
6. Get a tan X
7. Go on a date
8. Visit New York City
9. Visit Chicago
10. Take a road trip
11. Go camping
12. Go dancing at a club X
13. Get a tattoo
14. Ask a guy out/give a guy my number X
15. Kiss a stranger X
16. Have a one night stand
17. Fall in love
18. Sing karaoke X
19. Party all night in Las Vegas
20. Go skinny dipping
21. Crowd surf
22. Have sex in public
23. Slip'n'slide as an adult X
24. Get really drunk and throw up X
25. Play in the rain X

"Fuck, that hurt like a bitch!" I whined. I stared at my red, puffy and slightly bloody wrist. I couldn't help but smile though. I'd done it. I got my tattoo! I'd opted to get it done in white ink because it wouldn't be so glaringly obvious for my interactions with clients and their parents.

"Looks pretty fucking awesome though," Pete smiled back.

"You really didn't have to pay for it," I scolded Pete. He just shrugged. He'd been paying for a lot of things lately, which kind of made me feel weird. I mean, he wasn't my boyfriend, we weren't involved and I had never asked him to pay for anything. We walked out of the tattoo shop and onto the street.

"I feel like camping with this will be a pain," I admitted. My wrist was pretty sore, so I kinda wanted to take it easy.

"You'll be fine. Just keep putting ointment on it and cover it," Pete advised. "I'm excited about camping."

"Me too," I admitted to Pete, smiling at him. Sarah and Brendon were going to join us for camping. It was Friday evening and we were leaving in about an hour. I was honestly really excited. We climbed into his SUV and headed off to pick up Sarah and Brendon.

After picking up Sarah and Brendon, we hit the road. Pete drove, while Sarah and Brendon were in the backseat. The song "I Wanna Get Better" by the Bleachers came on the radio.

"I LOVE this song!" I squealed and turned the radio up. Pete let out a little laugh and shook his head, clearly amused by my childish excitement. I began singing along and dancing a little in my seat. Sarah started singing along with me and we were having a great time. I felt happy, like incredibly happy. It was moments like this that I had missed out on in Grad school.

Once we made it to the campsite, it was time to set up the tents. Pete and I were sharing a tent. Sure, he'd stayed over at my place before, but we hadn't sleep in such close proximity to each other. And it had been about a week since we nearly kissed in the rain, so I was unsure of everything.

"Hand me that pole," Pete asked me as he held up a portion of the tent. I reached over and grabbed the pole he'd requested and handed it over. I helped him assemble the tent and we began putting our stuff inside.

"Looks bigger from the outside," I commented as we climbed into the tent.

"Yeah, but we don't really need that much room for just sleeping," Pete informed me and I nodded, agreeing.

"Yeah, I guess so." I looked at him, trying to read his body language. Surely a millionaire like Pete had a bigger tent than this. Sarah and Brendon's tent was bigger than ours, but not by too much. The more I'd fallen for Pete, the more I feared that he'd try to be my #16. Pete was a really great guy, but my past experiences made me fear otherwise.

After hiking, we ate burgers and began making s'mores. It was dark and we had a small campfire going. The setting sun also took the heat along with it, leaving a cool chill to the air. I pulled on my long sleeve shirt and huddled close to the fire with my skewer, roasting my marshmallow. Brendon was lazily playing the guitar.

"Cold?" Pete asked me softly, scooting a little closer to me.

"A little, I didn't really bring anything warmer. I didn't expect it to be so chilly." I turned my marshmallow over the flames. Pete set his skewer down and pulled his hoodie off, handing it to me.

"Put this on," he instructed and took my skewer.

"Thanks," I smiled at Pete. He smiled back and I put on his hoodie. It smelled just like him, which was incredibly intoxicating. I'd been slowly giving up hope that I wouldn't fall for him. It was pretty much useless at this point.

Later that night, we climbed into our tent to go to sleep. It was pretty late and very chilly. I pulled the hood up on Pete's hoodie, which I was still wearing, and pulled my sleeping bag over my head.

"You really that cold?" Pete asked me.

"Yes. I bought the worst sleeping bag ever!" I complained and Pete laughed.

"Climb in," Pete unzipped his sleeping bag, gesturing for me to join him. I suddenly felt nervous and excited at the same time.

"You sure?" I asked nervously.

"Yeah, you're freezing, Allie."

"Okay," I replied and unzipped my sleeping bag. I put my pillow next to Pete's and I climbed into the sleeping bag, zipping it up behind me. I laid on my side, facing away from Pete. I was definitely a tight fit. Pete shifted and scooted closer to me, wrapping arm around my waist, spooning me. I bit my lip to contain my excitement. Pete was actually holding me, with his forehead resting against the back of my head. He slid his hand gently down my arm and laced his fingers with mine and I had to remind myself to breathe.

"Goodnight, Allie," Pete whispered, his breath hot against my ear, causing me to shiver slightly.

"Night," I replied and closed my eyes, realizing how much trouble I was definitely in. #17 was going to happen.