She let out a snort, then slapped her hand over her mouth, her shoulders bouncing from the effort to hold back more laughter.
Pulling her closer, I buried my head in her hair. “Stop laughing at me. It’s not my fault this place should be condemned.”
“It’s perfectly clean and smells divine.”
I had to give her that. The smell of freshly baked bread, muffins, and coffee hung in the air, making my mouth water. The fact that the place was clean was the only reason I hadn’t dragged her back outside yet.
“Are you here on your honeymoon?” someone asked from behind us.
Lifting my head, smile still on my face, I looked at the woman who’d asked the question. She had short white hair, red-rimmed glasses, and wore a sweater with every imaginable color splashed on it.
I shook my head. “We’re only here for a visit.”
Quinn had gone stiff at the question, pulling out of my embrace.
“You make a lovely couple. When my dear Edward was still alive, he’d look at me like you look at your girlfriend.” She winked at Quinn. “Hold on to that one, dear. He’d do anything for you.”
We were saved from answering when the girl behind the counter called, “Next.”
Quinn ordered some weird tea concoction, and I opted for black coffee.
We stepped back outside, carrying paper bags that held our food and to-go cups. Quinn wanted to sit on the pier, and we were dressed warm enough not to freeze before we could finish our food.
I sank down beside her, watching her take a sip. “She was right, you know.”
Looking at me over the rim of her cup, Quinn raised a brow. “Right about what?”
“I’d do anything for you.”Except stay away.
She leaned in, touching her lips to mine in a chaste kiss.
I let out a deep breath, feeling more of the tension drain out of me. I knew I was doing the wrong thing by spending moretime with her, but I was unable to stop the collision course I was on.
We finished our lunch and continued exploring the small town.
“You going to tell me where we’re going yet?” Quinn was busy looking into every single shop window we passed, never letting go of my hand.
I wondered if this was how it was supposed to feel. The rightness of strolling down the road with her, the feeling of contentment. Both were foreign to me but something I could get used too all too easily if I let myself.
“Nope. But I can tell you we’re almost there. You ready to get back on the road?”
Staring longingly at a pink fluffy hat, she faltered. “Can we stop—”
Tugging on her hand, I brought our bodies closer together so I could put my arm around her. “No way. Don’t even think about it.”
When she turned her pouting lips and pleading eyes my way, I nearly crumbled. But no way would I walk next to her wearing that monstrosity.
I caught myself, knowing I most likely wouldn’t have another chance to walk next to her. After this weekend, I wouldn’t see her again. So she could buy whatever hideous hat she wanted.
Breaking eye contact, I swallowed, fighting to get myself back under control.
“Hey, I wasn’t serious.” Her arms came around me, and she hugged me through our thick jackets. “Have you seen the price? No way would I pay that much for a hat.”
We walked the rest of the way to the car in silence, Quinn enamored with the small town.
My family would stop here every summer on our way to our beach house. I had great memories from my time spent on thosevacations. They had eventually slipped to every other year, but now we hadn’t been up there as a family in at least five years.
Mom used to make an effort to get everyone together at least once a year. She still insisted on family dinners as often as possible, but we were all busy and didn’t usually stay long. Family vacations were out of the question.
