Shady Nook Picnic Area Novels & Stories

"Well, between all the sleeping and lounging and margaritas, would you want to go on a picnic?" I freeze in place. Nico inviting me to go on a picnic might not seem like a big deal, but it totally is. Plus, there's a quality to his voice . . . almost like he doesn't want to let me know how much my answer matters to him, but it does. "A picnic? Where?" As if the where matters. I'd go to Mars for a quick bite with this man. "There's a park over on the lake-it's on the other side of town. I haven't spent a lot of time there, but it's pretty. Tomorrow's not supposed to be as hot as it's been-we're getting a cold front overnight. Should be good picnic weather."

Zara told me. Lira nodded, her expression softening. “Exactly. But we need to figure out a way for you to explore without being exposed.” “Let’s strategize!” Jace exclaimed, his excitement returning. “There have to be shaded paths or areas around the camp. We can map out some routes that keep you in the shade.” “Good idea,” Zara agreed, already scanning the cafeteria’s windows for potential shaded areas. “I know there’s an old grove of trees on the east side that’s practically a tunnel of shade.”

The moment she saw it, her steps faltered. Her fingers twitched in my grip, but I didn’t let go. I pushed the gate open, the creak echoing in the silence. And then we stepped inside. The hidden clearing stretched before us—a perfect patch of soft grass surrounded by trees, shielding it from view. Sunlight trickled through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. And in the center of it all—the picnic. A soft blanket spread out over the grass. A basket filled with the things she liked. The small cake, simple but perfect. Everything was set, untouched, waiting.

She took in the dining area surrounded by the lush, green plants, the spa area with the retractable canopy, and the string of lights on the top of the walls. “I know what you mean,” Shea said, setting down the bags she’d brought up with her. “It’s so relaxing up here, yet we can have parties if we want.” “We just have to make sure to reserve the place with the landlord,” Brooklyn said. “Good thing no one had the place tonight, or else we’d be going elsewhere.” The three roommates set their items down in the dining area and set up the table. “Should we fire up the grill or wait until the guys get here to do that?” Addy asked.

"Will you help me carry them out?" "Of course," I say grabbing an overstuffed dish of pasta. She props the back door open with her butt allowing me to walk out. "Just put it on one of the picnic tables." Ridge's backyard is large especially for the part of the city he lives. The dark wooden deck has three steps down to the grassy area where they have two picnic tables set up under a large tree. Somehow, while Tabitha and I were inside the backyard accumulated a mass of men. We set down our large bowls of food and before Tabitha can head back into the house to grab the extras, Ridge grabs her arm and a plants a kiss on her cheek.

WE WERE NEARING the full moon, but this wasn’t a get together to shift and run in the moonlight. Instead, it was an afternoon picnic. By five o’clock, about twenty pack members were in the field behind the house. Usually, we met in the barn, so there was some shade and a roof in case it rained, but the construction project wasn’t finished. Sawhorses with boards across were set up as tables for the hefty quantity of food everyone brought. From Layla’s and Jenny’s potato salad to peach pie, hamburgers and even homemade ice cream had been devoured. The Barn Cats were tuning their instruments and setting chairs beneath a tree where they’d perform. Some laid out blankets, so they could sit and li

she asked, her fingers toying with the strap of her small handbag. "The palace grounds," I replied, watching her carefully from the corner of my eye. "There's a place there – a clearing in the forest, beside a stream. Only Theo and I know about it." That wasn't strictly true; royal groundskeepers were certainly aware of every inch of the property, but they were discreet to the point of invisibility. "I thought we might have a picnic." "A picnic?" She turned to face me fully, surprise and delight mingling in her expression. "That sounds... perfect."

I finally looked around and noticed we were not in mainstream traffic but rather on a quiet suburban area. “Where are we going?” I asked, as it was not the way back to the penthouse. “I sponsored a family park here. Thought we could grab something to eat since we missed lunch.” He answered while easing into a parking area adjacent to the park. My eyes lit up seeing the pristine lawns and further away a pond. Families were on blankets with picnic baskets. The laughter of kids sounded as they ran around or played in the kids area complete with swings and jungle gym. The sun was out, the sky a clear blue. I just let the sights and sounds settle into me.

It's the last picnic area on the path he told her. She pulled into the circular parking area. There were two other cars there. She tentatively walked down the tree lined path, passing two other campsites along the way, not seeing anyone. She finally reached the Wilson picnic area. It was a large cemented area with a roof over it. It was filled with picnic tables, ready for the next family gathering. It had a couple of permanent charcoal grilles on either side and was tucked away into the woods. There was no one. She hesitantly walked onto the covered area. Her head was on a swivel. "Hello? Anybody here?" she quietly called out.

[MELBOURNE AMUSEMENT PARK - PICNIC AREA, NEXT DAY] Shayla spread the blanket out on the grass in a relatively quiet corner of the park, away from the screaming children on the rides and the crowds around the food stalls. Benjamin had suggested the amusement park as neutral territory - somewhere public but also private. It was awkward at first. They sat on opposite ends of the blanket, the basket of sandwiches and fruit between them like a barrier. Neither of them quite knew what to say or where to start.