By the time they were ready to leave the café, it felt completely natural to Jake to take her hand on the way out.
It was only when she looked up at him with a big smile on her face that he realized he’d done it.He smiled back.
“Is this okay?”he asked, lifting their joined hands between them.
She nodded happily.“More than okay.I like it.”
“Me too.”He held the door open for her and waited while she zipped up her jacket once they were outside.When she was done, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side as they walked back up between the stores toward the parking lot.
“Is this okay?”he asked when it dawned on him that he kept holding on to her like that and had never once asked permission first.
She laughed.“It is.You don’t need to ask every time, you know.”
He gave her a rueful smile.“It just occurred to me that I’d never asked at all.”
“Well, you don’t need to.I mean, I’m glad you thought to check, but let’s just put it out there now—I’m good with it.”
She gave him a puzzled look.
“What?”he asked.
“I was just wondering if we should clear it up on both ends first.Am I okay to do this, too?”She tightened her arm around him as they walked.
“I’ll give you the same answer—more than okay.And just so we’re clear, you’ll never have to ask.Anytime you want to grab ahold of me, any way you want to, I’ll be happy.”
“Awesome.”
She made a face at him, making him laugh.“Sorry, I must sound like a dork.I’m not totally brand new to this, but like I told you, I haven’t been out with anyone for a long time, and…” She frowned.“I’m making myself sound even dorkier here, aren’t I?But you might as well know the truth.I’ve done some dating, but I’ve never really had…” Her cheeks turned pink.
“Hey, what’s up?”he asked.
“I was about to say I’ve never had a relationship—not a real one.But that’s kind of presumptuous of me, isn’t it?”
“I don’t think so, no.We’ve already said that we’re going to be honest with each other, and if you don’t know already, you should know—that’s exactly what I’m hoping this is.A relationship.”
He held her gaze for a long moment before adding, “A real one.”
His heart pounded in his chest.He wanted to say more, but he knew he shouldn’t.It was too early, and they’d already had enough heavy conversation for one day.Even though he didn’t want to spell it out, he hoped she would understand what he meant—and was a little disappointed when her gaze slid away from his to look over his shoulder.
Whatever was behind him had caught her attention.He turned to see when she said, “Oh no, look—we have to help.”
An older guy was sitting on a mobility scooter, trying to start it.When it wouldn’t go, he climbed off and leaned on it heavily, looking frustrated.
They hurried over, and the man eyed them warily as they approached.Jake loved the way his worried frown turned into a smile when he recognized Savannah.
“Hi, Walt,” she greeted him.“Is this thing giving you trouble?”
“Hello, Savannah.I have to say, I’m glad to see your face.The damn thing’s dead as a dodo.Don’t know what its problem is.It was fine just a minute ago.”
“Mind if I take a look?”Jake asked.
He loved that the man raised his eyebrows at Savannah before he answered.“Does he know what he’s doing?”
Savannah laughed.“He does, Walt.He’s the guy who bought Art’s garage.”
The man turned back to Jake, smiling now.“Right—you’re the Marine.”
“That’s me,” Jake agreed.
