“What do you have planned for us after this?” Ben asked Akira.
“A short walking tour of downtown. We’ll be stopping at the Alpine Bakery at one fifteen for a Black Forest cake tasting. After that, we’ll let the kids do some shopping.” Her pale blue sweatercomplemented her skin tone and dark hair. Hoop earrings swung against her neck as she talked. “I’m afraid that the cake isn’t going to be enough to make up for all the indecision and drama of the shopping. Inevitably, the kids try to buy things they don’t have enough money for. I apologize to you both in advance.”
“Budgeting,” Mr. Wrigley observed, “is a valuable life skill.”
“And a skill these children do not yet have.”
Ben had been to Helen several times in the past for Oktoberfest, the Christmas market, and to tube the river in the summer. Even though he was partly responsible for ten kids today, this was his favorite trip to Helen so far because he was here with Akira. He watched her now, entertained by her experessive face.
Lately, she was always on his mind. He was embarrassed to admit how often he checked his phone to see if she’d texted him.
They’d started off as friends. They were still friends, because that’s what Akira needed. But they were also more than that now. The chemistry between them hadn’t been platonic for quite a while. Which might or might not be a good thing. The last time he’d liked someone this much—Leah—he’d been set on her for years.
He’d had months to get over Leah, and for the most part, things were normal between them now. He’d walked through the worst of his sadness, yet the confidence he’d once had when it came to dating had taken a beating.
After eating a bratwurst on a crusty white roll with lots of spicy mustard and sauerkraut on the side, he followed Akira down the sidewalk. She played tour guide, trying to interest the kids in historical facts about Helen and eagerly pointing out landmarks. At the scheduled time, their group crammed into the small interior of the Alpine Bakery. To give everyone more breathing room, Ben and Akira stepped outside the glass door. They kept an eye on the kids while the baker explained how they made their most famous dessert.
“Can you put me out of my misery about something?” Akira asked him.
He looked into her upturned face. “I can try. What’s bringing you misery?”
“You.”
His brows shot up. “Me? I make people happier. Ask anyone.”
“To my dismay, I’m starting to have romantic feelings toward you.” She pretended horror.
“No kidding?” So she was finally willing to shift them out of their holding pattern? The wave of hope that hit his brain made him dizzy. “Is that because I’m wearing this backpack full of water, emergency snacks, wet wipes, and confiscated electronics?”
“Yes. It was the backpack.”
“Sorry about that, Akira. It really wasn’t fair of me to wear such a sexy backpack around you.”
“Can you please assure me that you’re not interested in me romantically? That should put a stop to this immediately.”
“I would if I could.” He propped a shoulder against the rough-textured wall. In the quiet, their teasing drained away and the atmosphere turned serious. He gathered his courage. “The truth is, I am interested in you. Very.”
Her eyes widened. “I, too, am interested in you. Very.”
His mouth curved into a smile. He was surprised by how good it felt to hear her admit that. “Really?”
“Really. I’m worried, though. I don’t think I’m the kind of girl who can hold your attention.”
“You’re wrong.”
Her expression informed him that she wasn’t sure if she could believe him. Her former boyfriends had cut down her self-image, which made him crazy.
“You’re amazing,” he told her. “Those other guys couldn’t see it, so they were either stupid or visually impaired. I’m neither of those things. You have my full attention, and I see exactly how amazing you are.”
“Thank you.” She made a wobbly sound of uncertainty. Sheshook out her arms like a basketball player trying to release stress before shooting a free throw. “I’m worried,” she said again.
“Nobody’s rushing you, and nothing has to change between us today. We have time.”
“Is this when you announce that you’re actually a prince in disguise?”
“No,” he answered on a chuckle.
“An angel?”
