“Thank you.” The man returned to the cash register and proceeded to punch the keys with a little too much gusto.
“I think he might just be a sore loser,” said Michael.
“He’ll get over it.”
“I wanted to pay for breakfast.”
“I know you did. Don’t worry. We’ll have other breakfasts.”
Why did he find that thought so appealing? Perhaps because the idea of breakfast with Emily implied hot, steamy nights beforehand. He wanted to spend every night with her and he already knew he’d never tire of waking up with her. Waking up this morning without her in his bed had been a travesty. The more he considered it, the more he wanted to seduce her back into his bed. “So what now? Want to head back to my place?”
“I told you I had a whole day planned, naughty boy. Let’s not jump the gun.”
Michael supposed she was right. If they headed back too soon, it would only give him another excuse to dwell in the haunted corners of his mind. He didn’t want that today. He wanted to be part of the world today, with Emily.
She checked her watch. “Right now, we need to hustle. We have a ferry to catch.”
A ferry ride instead of an Emily ride? As much as Michael longed to take her in his arms, or up against the wall, he refrained from voicing his slight disappointment.
Besides, he wasn’t really disappointed. After all, he’d have the whole day with her, and any time with Emily was just fine by him.
***
Emily grabbed Michael’s hand as they boarded the Toronto Island Ferry, squeezing it as they maneuvered the crush of bodies. She’d known it would be crowded today and wanted to get a good spot on the vessel. The Toronto Islands were always a popular spot in the warmer months, especially on the weekends. “Come on. I want to sit outside on the top deck.”
Michael grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
It was so good to see him smile again. She’d missed seeing the warmth in his eyes. That was why she’d organized their day down to the hour. She didn’t want to give him any excuse to remember and experience pain. Today was all about creating new memories, happy ones.
As she led him to the top deck of the ferry, Michael patted her bottom. That was nice too. Her body ached from not being able to touch him and explore his hard planes. She’d fallen asleep the previous evening dreaming of kissing her way down his abs toward his stomach. In her dream, she’d taken him in her mouth and his stomach had clenched in anticipation. She’d worked him into a frenzy, to a point where he’d raked his fingers through her hair, grasping the short strands. It had been a fun dream, and she’d woken in a state of catlike languor, but she was done with dream sex. She wanted to do it in real time.
Perhaps if they found a secluded spot on the island…
“There,” he said, pointing out a free spot by the railing. “How’s that for a view?”
Emily knew Michael was referring to the view of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline, but she was looking at him. Although pale, some of the color had returned to his cheeks and his brown eyes shone. His curls danced in the breeze and he looked much more like the confident Michael who’d graced her TV screen time and again. If they weren’t clustered next to a young family with three toddlers, she would have offered him her body right there. “The view is perfect.”
“Come here.” He pulled her toward him in front of the railing and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “You’ll be cold when the boat starts moving.”
She didn’t care. She had a cardigan slung over her bag but felt no need to put it on. In Michael’s arms, she was always warm.
The ferry revved up with a lurching hum. Michael rested his head on her shoulder and grazed his lips against her ear as they started to move. As the ferry pulled away from the Bay Street dock, the skyline and its many high-rises began to slowly shrink away. Within minutes, they no longer had to crane their necks to take in the entire CN Tower.
Michael tightened his grip and his chest rumbled in appreciation. “I’m having a good time, Em. Thank you.”
“The day’s just beginning.” She closed her eyes and sighed, comforted in his embrace.
During her conversation with Priya, several points had resonated, but there was one that she’d taken home that night, obsessing over it. When Priya had explained the state of hypervigilance, Emily’s heart had gone out to Michael. The idea he might constantly be looking out for danger and trouble grieved her. She couldn’t conceive of a sadder state in which to live. He got no rest. He found no solace. No wonder he’d been eager to “forget everything” with her. If she’d been in his place, she would have been desperate to find something to help her forget as well.
She might not ever be able to erase those bad memories. In fact, if Priya was to be believed, it was better he found a method for facing them. Until he did, she would ensure he only found support and peace in her arms. He needed a place to let go.
In the meantime, she would show him the best day he ever had.
***
“What do you mean, you don’t know the legend of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse?” Michael’s eyes widened with incredulity.
“Sorry, I don’t.” Emily took in all eighty-odd feet of the grey stone edifice before them, shielding her eyes when the sun hit her face. “I never made it over to this side of the island before. As a kid, my folks always took me to the amusements and the petting zoo, but never here.”
