When they exited the restaurant into the hot late summer air, Torin turned to her. “You ready for the next part of our date?” he asked.
Nova groaned. “If it involves physical activity or remaining conscious, I’m not sure.”
He smiled at her again and, now that she’d met Molly, Nova could see her stamped all over his face.
“Does your mom look like Molly?” she asked.
“Nope, my dad does since she’s his sister.”
Nova nodded. “I can see the family resemblance.”
Torin opened the Jeep door for her and gave her a boost inside, which was good because Nova wasn't sure she would have been able to make it otherwise. Her belly was too full.
"Don't worry," Torin said after he got into the vehicle. "You have about thirty minutes to rest before we're there, then you can lay in the sun all afternoon if you want."
Nova buckled her seatbelt. "Are you ever going to tell me where we're going?"
"To one of my favorite places anywhere. It's the reason I was okay to settle here."
Seeing the way his face lit up when he talked about it, Nova was even more curious.
"Then, I look forward to seeing it," she said. "But, first, I'm going to nap on the way there. Otherwise, I won't be able to enjoy it."
Torin reached over and took her hand again. "That's fine. You rest."
With her fingers cradled in his, resting against his hard thigh, Nova leaned her seat back and closed her eyes.
It wasn't long before the smooth motion of the Jeep lulled her to sleep.
What seemed like two minutes later, Torin's hand squeezed hers.
"We're here," he said.
Nova blinked several times and brought her seat upright. They were in a parking lot of a marina. Rows of boats stretched out in front of them, floating on clear, green-blue water. It looked like a moving painting, the colors so intense they nearly hurt.
“Let’s go,” Torin said, climbing out of the car. Nova fumbled with her seatbelt. She’d just released the buckle when her door opened, and Torin reached in to help her out. She stared out at the water sparkling in the sunlight.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, turning toward him.
Torin was getting their bags out of the back of the car and hefted them over one shoulder.
“It gets even better,” he said.
He took her hand with his free one and led her toward the marina. They walked down one of the docks until they reached a sleek boat with long lines that looked as though it were made for speed and power. Nova didn’t understand enough about boats to know what this one would be classified as, but it was nicer than anything she’d ever ridden in before.
“You own a boat?” she asked.
Torin shook his head. “A buddy of mine lets me take her out once or twice a month in exchange for a free meal. It’s been a while since I’ve had time to do this, and he called me last week to remind me that he owed me.”
“Hereminded you that he owes you?” she asked.
“Yeah, he’s a straight shooter. He doesn’t like to eat my food for free if I’m not using his boat.”
“Sounds like one hell of a trade,” Nova murmured.
“I definitely got the better end of the deal,” Torin agreed.
He climbed on board, put the bags to the side, and then helped Nova on as well.
