“I’m Bear, nice to meet you.” He holds out his hand, surprising me with his formality. Taking his hand, I shake it automatically and it takes me a second to process what he just said.
Brows raising, I tilt my head to one side. “Bear?”
He laughs, releasing my hand and reaching up to straighten his cap. His biceps bulge as he does, momentarily distracting me. “Yeah, it’s a nickname from my biker days.”
He was a biker. Named Bear. That should really put me off, red flags swinging so quickly in my mind that it’s a sea of warning. However, I must be colourblind, as this only piques my interest. I want to know him more; a roaming biker life sounds so adventurous compared to the static life I’ve lived.
“I’m Holly.” Wincing slightly as I replay our interaction with Ashley, I know I need to give him a way out. “You really don’t have to walk me back, I’m fine.”
Gesturing for me to start walking, I turn towards town, and he falls into step beside me.
“It’s okay,” he comments lightly, and I glance over at the note in his voice. It seems he was waiting for this, as he flashes me a smile. “It gives me an excuse to talk to you.”
I flush, a stupid high-pitch giggle escaping me. Holy souffles, what is going on with me today? I’m acting like a teenager. Thankfully he just chuckles, finding me amusing rather than outright strange.
I need to start acting like a normal human, so I clear my throat to make sensible conversation. “I take it that you’re new to town?”
“I’m just visiting. I’m staying at the B&B at the top of the hill.”
He gestures vaguely in the direction of the B&B in question, but I know exactly where he’s talking about; this is a small town, after all.
“Ah, yes. Has Doris given you her personal phone number yet?” I can’t hide my smile.
The elderly lady that runs the Sweet Cakes B&B is one of my regular customers, and I happen to know that she has a rampant appetite when it comes to younger men. Being eighty-two doesn’t seem to stop her from flirting with anyone below forty. I once asked her about it, and she told me that she prefers a younger man as they’re less likely to die on her.
Bear jerks, throwing me an incredulous look. “Wait, that’s normal behaviour for her?”
“Oh, yes.” My smile stays fixed on my face as I keep my gaze forward. My breathing is completely back to normal now and there’s no risk of me collapsing, but I say nothing more, as I can’t deny I’m enjoying this.
“Well, that’s disappointing,” he replies after a brief pause. “I thought it was just me.”
His voice is so stoic that I have to glance over to check his expression. He’s grinning and it sets me off laughing. He’s teasing me, and that makes me… happy? It’s been so long since a guy has made me laugh like this, with back-and-forth teasing that I realise now that I’ve missed.
“Your friend seemed…” Bear trails off, clearly not sure how to put Ashley into words. I don’t blame him; she’s pretty unique, and he’s probably trying to avoid saying anything that might upset me.
I’m going to take pity on him and help him out. Snorting, I think back to her rapid departure. “She’s very protective of me.”
He hums in amusement. “Did you know that she’s following us?”
I glance over my shoulder, and sure enough, Ashley dives behind a tree, pretending she’s not stalking us. That warmth I felt earlier spreads through my chest. I never should’ve doubted her. However, she’s clearly desperate to set me up with someone and this was her plan – to follow from a distance.
Do I laugh or apologise for her? This is hardly normal behaviour. Bear is going to think this town is full of lunatics. I settle on both and laugh while shaking my head in disbelief. “Sorry about her, she’s just–”
“Protective. I get it, don’t worry.” He smiles again and it makes the nervous cramping in my stomach disappear. Something about him settles me and makes me feel comfortable, despite the fact that I don’t know him. He puts me at ease.
Stepping into the town square, I glance around at the familiar scene, the various shops beginning to open their doors for the early-morning trade. It hasn’t taken us long to get back; I hadn’t gotten particularly far with my attempt at running.
“You can leave me here.” Pausing at the edge of the pavement, I gesture vaguely to the other side of the town fountain right in the centre of the square. “I’m just over there.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to pass out. I hear there’s a good bakery around here; maybe you should get some cake,” he suggests very seriously, but I spot the twinkling of amusement in his eyes. Is he saying this because he’s genuinely concerned that I might fall, or is he trying to spend more time with me?
I’m thinking into this far too much. The poor man is just suggesting I have something to eat and I’m turning it into a big deal. He’s just being nice. Men don’t take strange women on dates when they’ve just met in the park.Especiallymen that look likehim.
He’s waiting for my reply and I’m just standing here like an idiot. Laughing, I pat my gently rounded stomach. “Don’t worry, I know exactly where the cake is.”
Why am I not telling him I own the bakery? Is it because I don’t want a complete stranger to know where I work? Yes, that must be it, as any other possible reasons would be far too complicated for me to contemplate.
“Thank you for bringing me back, Bear,” I add his name on at the last minute, not quite able to hold back my smile.
