“You’re not mad?”
“How could I be mad?” she asks. “I am speechless. Halsey...you have no idea how complimented I feel right now. To think that you’ve had feelings for me for so long...that you pursued me so decisively. I don’t think anyone has ever treated me with so much devotion and respect. I’m in awe. If I’m mad about that, then something is wrong with me. I’m just sorry you had to suffer through bad advice.”
“Trust me . . . so am I.”
“This place is so adorable,”Blakely says as she holds my hand, taking in the public market. “I’ve always wanted to come here.”
“I’m glad you like it,” I say just as I’m tapped on the arm. I turn around to find a father and daughter duo, both wearing Agitators shirts.
The little girl stares up at me with wide eyes. “Are you Halsey Holmes?”
I release Blakely’s hand and squat down so I’m eye level with her. “I am,” I say. “What’s your name?”
“Annabelle Markey.”
I smile and take her hand. “Annabelle, it’s very nice to meet you. I see that you’re an Agitators fan.” I point at her shirt.
She nods. “You-you’re my favorite player.”
“Am I?” I ask. “That’s such an honor. Thank you. Can I ask why I’m your favorite?”
“Because as Daddy says, you leave those sons of bitches in the dust.”
“Annabelle,” the father scolds, looking mortified.
I chuckle, and so does Blakely. “They’re pretty slow compared to me, huh?”
Annabelle nods her head. “Yeah, you’re so fast.”
“Well, thank you.” I then glance back at Blakely. “I’m on a date. Think we can take a picture real quick so I can go back to trying to impress this girl?”
Annabelle glances at Blakely, then back at me. “She’s pretty.”
“I know. Very pretty. I’m lucky, don’t you think?”
Annabelle shakes her head. “She’s lucky.”
That makes me smile, and I stand. “Want a pic?” I ask the dad.
He nods, and Blakely steps in to take the dad’s phone. We take a quick picture, I give Annabelle a hug, and then shake the dad’s hand, and we part ways.
Blakely rubs up against me as she says, “That was really sexy, Halsey.”
“Sexy?” I ask.
She loops her arm through mine and holds me close. “Really sexy, seeing you interact with that little girl. Made me all weak in the knees. You’re a good man.”
“Keep that in mind when you’re considering a second date.”
“I can pretty much guarantee you there’ll be a second one.”
Chapter Twenty
BLAKELY
“Be back,” I say as I head toward the Sandbar restaurant’s bathroom.
We walked around the island for a while, taking in the view, before Halsey brought me to the Sandbar where we have reservations. Of course we have one of the best seats in the place, overlooking the harbor and the skyline. We put in our order, and I had to excuse myself because...I’m feeling overwhelmed.
