The Picnic (1)

“Would you like to go for a picnic with me this afternoon?” Alex asked.

“A picnic?” Eddie was curled up in a comfy wingback chair in her library cubby. She spent every morning there, curled up with a book, a cup of tea, and shortbread cookies the butler brought her.

“Yes, I thought I could have the chef prepare a basket for us and we could explore the estate? I know a perfect spot and the weather is lovely today,” Alex gestured toward the window, a sheepish look on his face.

Eddie stared out the window. The sun was shining and the sky was pure robin’s egg blue. She squinted. She was an indoor creature by nature and always more of a night owl than an early bird. She wondered if she would shrivel to nothing if she went outside in the midafternoon sun. She glanced at Alex.

He was fidgety and smiling. He seemed excited. His hand in his pockets one moment than running through his hair the next.

Sighing, she nodd