‘I think I officially hate the outdoors,’ Marty sighed, slapping at a mosquito that landed on his neck.
‘Nobody said you had to like them,’ Allie shrugged, stepping around their campfire and handing him a mug.
‘Literally not true,’ he frowned as he accepted the drink. ‘Your exact words were “if we’re going to date, you have to like the outdoors.”’
‘Exactly,’ she grinned. ‘You can leave whenever you want.’
‘This is emotional blackmail,’ he glared, taking a sip of what was, admittedly, very good coffee.
‘This is fresh air!’ Allie rolled her eyes. ‘I promise it isn’t killing you.’
Something big rustled in the trees near their campsite and he twisted around to see what it was. She laughed at him, but didn’t say anything.
‘I’ve figured out what I’m getting you for your birthday, by the way,’ he said, settling back down.
‘One of those under tray toolboxes for utes I’ve been telling you to buy me all year?’
‘No,’ he shook his head, solemnly. ‘I’m gonna buy you a bow and arrow.’
She matched his serious expression for exactly ten seconds, then burst out laughing.
‘A bow and arrow?’
‘A bow and arrow.’
‘And why would I want a bow and arrow?’
‘Protection.’
‘From what?’
‘From whatever the hell is out there,’ Marty gestured emphatically into the dark forest.
‘Oh please,’ Allie rolled her eyes again. ‘Nothing will come near us with a fire going. And even if something does, the last thing I want to do is shoot it.’
‘Why not?’
Allie sighed and tipped the remains of her drink into her mouth. ‘Do you know why I have a half canopy ute manufactured in Melbourne?’ she asked.
‘I don’t even know what that means.’
‘It’s because,’ she said, ignoring him, ‘if I ever accidentally hit an animal, I want to make sure I have room in my bed to get them to a hospital.’
‘So you’re one of those animal-crazy nutters?’
‘I like nature,’ she shrugged.
Right…’ Marty nodded. ‘So we’re breaking up, aren’t we?’’
‘Oh, one hundred percent.’
‘Yep. I thought so.’