Eve shook it off. The man was probably just embarrassed about plowing into her and a young girl.
“Are you okay?” he asked Lila, concern clear in his voice. He glanced at Eve. “Both of you. Are you both okay? My clumsiness didn’t hurt either of you, did it?”
“I’m fine,” Lila assured him. She looked pointedly at her ruined hot dog on the pavement. “Just hungry.”
She bent and scooped up both hot dogs, carrying them to the nearest trash can.
“Please, let me buy you another,” the man said. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Here,” Lila said, bending to scoop up Eve’s purse and his phone from where it had landed near the curb. She dusted it off and checked the screen. “It doesn’t seem cracked.”
The screensaver lit up as she turned it over, and her eyes widened. “You have the cryptographer screensavers?”
The man’s expression shifted to something almost shy. He finally released Eve’s hand, though the loss of contact left her feeling oddly cold. “Oh. Yes. I love puzzles.”
“Me too,” Lila said, her excitement genuine. “I want to be a cryptographer.”
The man’s smile softened. “Great career. Cryptographers work in cybersecurity, government intelligence, data protection, and financial systems. There is a huge demand for people who can create and break codes, especially given the growing digital security needs. Pattern recognition and mathematics are key, and it sounds like you have the mind for it.”
Lila beamed. “That’s exactly what I want to do.”
“I’m David,” the man said, his eyes narrowing slightly as Lila opened her mouth. “David Lawson.”
“I’m Lila, and this is my aunt, Eve Reynolds,” Lila said before Eve could introduce them properly. “We’re on holiday here and just arrived today from California.”
“Oh!” David’s eyes widened. “Wow. You’re from the other side of the country.”
“Yes,” Lila answered. “And you?”
“I’m born and bred in St. Augustine,” David told them, warmth filling his voice despite something guarded in his eyes. “I did move away for a couple of years but...” He gave a soft snort. “You know, they say home is where the heart is, and as it turns out, my heart has always been here.”
“From what I’ve seen so far,” Eve said, finding her voice again, “there’s nothing wrong with that. St. Augustine is gorgeous.”
“You’ve come at one of the most festive times of the year,” David said. “Now, can I buy you two ladies another hot dog?”
“No, it’s fine,” Eve told him. “We’ll get something back on Anastasia Island.”
“Oh, is that where you are staying?” David asked.
The words were out before Eve could stop them. “Yes, at the Christmas Inn.”
“A good choice,” David said, his tone carefully neutral.
“Oh, look, Aunt Eve,” Lila said suddenly, pointing across the road. “There’s Uncle William and Julie Christmas from the Inn.”
David didn’t turn to look, but Eve was certain she saw him stiffen. His shoulders went rigid for just a second when Lila mentioned William’s name. Eve told herself she was imagining things and probably still a little giddy from the impact.
David glanced at his wristwatch. “Oh goodness, is that the time?” He looked up, first at Eve, then at Lila. “Well, it was lovely meeting you both. I’m so sorry about the collision and sorry to sound rude, but I didn’t realize it was so late, and I have a job to get to.”
“Of course,” Eve said, stepping out of his way. “It was nice meeting you, too.”
“Maybe we’ll run into each other again,” David said, his eyes holding Eve’s for a beat longer than necessary.
“Maybe,” Eve said, unable to help the shy smile that curved her lips.
“Here,” David pulled a card from his pocket. “If you need a tour guide or want to take me up on that hot dog or pizza that I owe you.”
Eve took the card, her fingers brushing his for just a second. “Okay.”
