"There's a part two?"
He climbed out and came around to help her down."I called ahead.There should be a car waiting for us."
Sure enough, a small SUV was parked near the hangar, keys tucked under the visor.
She raised her eyebrows."You planned this."
"I wanted today to be good."He shrugged, but she could tell he was pleased with himself."The beach is only a few minutes from here.I thought we could find a spot, have our picnic, maybe walk for a while."
She reached up and kissed his cheek."It's already good, Ollie."
~ ~ ~
The picnic didn't work out as well as Ollie had hoped.He'd had visions of them sitting on a blanket, chatting as they watched the ocean, eating the snacks and sandwiches that he'd prepared and packed in the hamper.The wind had other plans, though.
They'd found a sheltered spot tucked up against the cliffs, the rocks at their backs blocking the worst of it.And what mattered was that they were there, together, having fun, getting to know each other better.The sound of the waves was a steady roar, and every now and then a gust would whip sand across the beach in front of them.
Callie wiped her fingers on a napkin before balling it up and tossing it into the bag he'd brought for garbage.
"That was so good.Thank you," she said as she started to clear things away.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it.And just in case you're wondering, it was all made by my own bare hands."
She raised her eyebrows."Seriously?"
He groaned."You thought I'd let Rosa make it for me?"
She gave him a guilty little shrug."You have to bear in mind that I don't know how things work for you rich kids."
He narrowed his eyes at her.
"What?"she asked with a laugh."I thought we agreed that there are going to be no more secrets between us.In my mind, that means I get to be upfront and honest about what I'm thinking."
He chuckled."Fair enough.And I can see why you'd think that."
She nodded."I wasn't being judgmental.You have to remember that the only frame of reference I have is Jacob, and Elena does all the cooking and food prep there."She laughed."Well, except for when Becca does her own thing.But then Becca's like me.She's managed to fit in, but she does things a very different way.Whatever she does doesn't strike me as normal for Napa."
He caught her hand, and she paused her tidying to look up at him.
"What?"
"I probably shouldn't say this — or at least I shouldn't say it yet — but I want you to remember that Becca's proof."
"Proof of what?"
"That whatever's normal in Napa doesn't have to apply in our case."
She held his gaze for a long moment before nodding.He couldn't mean what she thought he did.Even if the two of them figured things out and started dating for real, sure, she'd visit him sometimes.But she'd assumed they'd both enjoy it more if he came to see her in Fort Bragg.
He squeezed her hand, and she looked back into his eyes.
"Like I said, I know I shouldn't say it yet, but I hope you'll be ready to come see my place soon."
She nodded, still not knowing how to respond.
He laughed and got to his feet, brushing sand from his jeans.The wind caught his hair as he reached down to offer her a hand up.
"What do you say — want to dump our bags back in the SUV and then walk down the beach?"He gave her a wry smile."Help me out here.I'm trying to distract you so that you don't get too caught up wondering if the creepy rich guy is trying to drag you away to his estate and keep you there."
