“This cute cupcake place right next to Blue Bottle.”
“Oh, I’m so excited!” I practically skipped as we continued walking. “One thing, though?”
“Yes?”
“Can we catch a cab back?” I looked around at the hill we’d just climbed down. “I don’t really fancy walking back up all these hills.”
“Ha ha, that’s fine. I have other ways for you to get exercise tonight.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Oh yeah!” He licked his lips, and we both laughed. We continued walking in comfortable silence and I looked around me with interest. This was my first time in San Francisco and it was truly a beautiful city. It reminded me a bit of New York City, except for the fact that it was full of hills.
“Oh, look, a farmers market!” I said and ran over to a guy selling some paintings. “These are amazing.”
“Thank you,” the man said, and I watched as he painted something on the canvas in front of him.
“He’s so good,” I whispered to Aiden, and he nodded and looked around.
“Do you want a painting?” he asked me and I shook my head.
“No, no.” I grabbed his hand. I didn’t want him thinking that I was just using him to buy me lots of cool and expensive gifts. We continued walking through the different stalls until we came to a lady sewing what appeared to be teddy bears. I walked over to the table and stared at the handmade bunnies, owls and bears and my heart melted. They were all so cute and original.
“These are great.” I smiled at the lady.
“Thanks, I make them all be hand myself.” She smiled at me. “I use old sweaters and felt them.”
“Oh, cool.” I looked at them again and sighed. I knew I was too old to buy a teddy bear for myself, but I really wanted one.
“Looking for a gift?” she asked me, and I shook my head.
“No, I’m looking for myself.” I laughed and she grinned at me.
“Hey, what do we have here?” Aiden joined me and smiled at the lady. “Hello.”
“Hi.” She smiled and then looked at me. “Is this your husband?”
“Oh no.” I blushed. “He’s my …” My voice trailed off as I looked at Aiden. I felt slightly embarrassed to call him my boyfriend in front of him.
“I’m her boyfriend.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “And she’s my insufferable girlfriend.”
“You got that right,” I joked and started to move away. “We should go.”
“No, not yet.” He shook his head. “I want to buy you one.”
“Oh no, Aiden,” I protested. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” He smiled at me and picked up a small red bear with a yellow face and big black nose. There was a plaid green heart covering the stomach of the bear with red stitching around it and it looked absolutely adorable. “I want to get you this one.” He handed it to me and then turned to the lady. “How much?”
“Twenty-eight dollars, please,” she said eagerly, and I smiled at her as I held the bear to me. Aiden paid and then we left the stall.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. “You didn’t have to buy me anything.”
“I wanted to,” he said softly and pulled me to the side. “That bear represents me, and that heart covering the front of its body represents my heart and the love I have for you.”
“Love?” I said, my eyes widening.
“Yes, love.” He nodded and his eyes burned into mine. “It’s always been you, Alice. I love you. And I want you to know that. My heart beats for you.”
