“Well, he’s not that guy anymore and you aren’t that woman. So what is ityou’relooking for?”
“For once, I’m not looking for anything.”
7
OUR DATE
“I’m not sure how I feel about the ferry rides,” Arik said on Sunday morning.
“What do you mean? That wasn’t bad.”
“No,” he said. “It wasn’t. Just kind of slow. I guess if it were a nice summer day it’d be different.”
“It’s nice when the ocean breeze kicks in, just not so much this time of year.”
The sun was shining and the forecast called for clear skies, but he wondered if it was a mistake to pick this date.
It’d only reach fifty today.
They were both in jeans and layers of clothing. He had a T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, and a hoodie on.
Natalie was in jeans and a jacket that had a hood on it but seemed to have a fleece lining. He couldn’t see what was under it, but was assuming a long-sleeved shirt like him.
Both of them were wearing sneakers.
The hiking trails weren’t so rough that they needed boots, and if they changed their minds, they could always rent bikes and ride the paths instead. He hoped they’d get to do that at some point too, but he didn’t want to push her.
“This seemed like a great idea until my fingers go numb. Should’ve brought gloves.”
“I’ve got them,” she said. “And I packed an extra pair.”
“What?”
She winced over his surprised response. Guess he should have toned back his reaction. “I tend to over-prepare. Probably a habit from working in hotels and always helping guests. My backpack’s got two bottles of water, a few protein bars, and two pairs of mittens. The kind with the flip-over tops so you can still use your fingers. Might come in handy if we end up getting bikes.”
“Do you have a survival kit in there?” He added humor to his voice this time hoping to get back to their relaxing vibe.
Her backpack was more along the lines of one of those purses that most women wore. He just assumed that is what it was.
“At least one of us is prepared,” she said primly.
He nudged her with his elbow, happy she was giving it back to him. “You didn’t answer me on the survival kit.”
The flush in her cheeks had nothing to do with the wind on the ferry dock. They were in his SUV now, the engine idling as they waited to pull out.
“I might have a few Band Aids,” she said, lifting her chin. “We might get a blister walking.”
He rolled his eyes and threw a laugh her way. “I guess you’re good to have around.”
“Oh really?” she asked, giving his arm a nudge this time. “How about you tell me more so I don’t feel like such a fool?”
“No fool. Seriously. I find it very sweet and considerate. Thoughtful. Prepared,” he said firmly. “Like you said, one of us has to be.”
She snorted and he loved that she didn’t hold back her annoyance with him. “Your plan was to just buy what you needed, even water?”
“Guilty,” he said. “I travel light and am used to it.”
Money worked for him. Anything he needed, he just walked into a store and it was his.
