“Vivi?” he asked. His brows loosened as he smiled. I wished I could tell if that was a dimple in his cheek, but the beard was too thick. “The name suits you.”
“That’s what she always said.” And that’s when I knew for sure Lennon was my mother’s answer to my prayer. I stood still, analyzing my feelings and thoughts as he collected his towel and flip flops. Was I being ridiculous? Fanciful? Part of me knew I was, and yet, I couldn’t seem to care, especially when Lennon picked up a thick hardcover by a popular thriller writer. A man who read. So sexy.
“You’re not seeing anyone?” I blurted. I had to be sure.
He side-eyed me. “No. Except you, if you’ll let me.” He tucked the book under his arm and tossed the towel over his shoulder. “I would never disrespect the woman in my life like that.” After a brief pause, he asked, “Are you seeing anyone?”
I shook my head. “No. But I’m just in town for the weekend.” I bit my lip. “I thought it fair to let you know.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the honesty. And so you know, I don’t live in the state. I’m from Texas.”
“Oh?” I asked. “So you’re on vacation, too?”
“Yep. I got in last night. This is my first stop. I’d read about this place and wanted to visit.” He scanned the beach, the water, then redirected his attention to me. “It’s exceeded my expectations.”
My cheeks warmed at the compliment, and I smiled. “I agree.”
We walked back to my blanket and large tote. Lennon helped me fold the blanket but gave me space to sort out my stuff and pull on my coverup and sandals.
“So…you weren’t looking to meet anyone, were you?” I asked, shyness overwhelming me. He offered to take the tote, but stopped, as if unsure that I’d let him. I probably wouldn’t because my wallet, phone, and keys were in it, but I appreciated the gesture.
He shook his head. “Nah. I just had this urge to come to the beach after my run. Originally, I’d planned to get brunch and go for a hike, but I couldn’t shake the need to get to the beach.”
Mom. Fate. Whatever. I really felt like Lennon and I were supposed to meet.
“Now I’m even more glad I listened to my gut,” he added.
“About coming to the beach or coming to Michigan?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Both. I had some time off, and my sister was happy to dog sit, mainly because Belladonna and her dog get along so well.”
He spoke with easy affection about his sister and dog. Sure, he could be laying it on thick in an effort to manipulate me, but I knew he wasn’t. Lennon was direct, easygoing, gorgeous. And he wanted to spend time with me. Internally, I jumped up and down, squealing.
He smiled at me as we headed up the beach to the short, quaint boardwalk with its cafés and shops.
“I’ve never done this before,” I said.
His dark eyebrows shot up. “Gone on a date?”
My gait hitched before I righted myself. A date. Well, good to know he thought of it as such. “N-no. Just gone off with a man I’ve known for five minutes. You know, a stranger.”
He walked beside me up the steps. “Well, I hope to change the stranger part pretty quickly.” He turned and peered down at me. “I’m attracted to you, Vivi.”
He just put it out there, like admitting his feelings was no big deal. Maybe for him it wasn’t. For me…it was huge. I’d always been a bit reserved. Not shy exactly, but slow to warm up to new situations.
“I’m attracted to you, too,” I whispered, mesmerized by his eyes and already addicted to the way he made me feel. I was giddy and warm.
He smiled again, and I smiled back. “Great. So, we’ll see where this goes. Maybe we’ll be bored, but at least we’ll have cooled off, and I’ll have eaten.”
I laughed. “And have a fun story to tell our friends about the capricious wind and a hat.”
He nudged me gently with his elbow. “Exactly.”
Chapter 2
Chapter
Lennon
