Her mouth curved, and he knew she was laughing.He enjoyed the way her eyes crinkled in the corners and her nose wrinkled when she did it.“I got the tickets for free from work.I didn’t pay for anything.”
Fine, but I’ll pay for lunch.No arguing.
“I wouldn’t dream of arguing with you.” She laughed again, then turned to the counter with her finger pointing toward a table.“Grab that.”
After pulling out a chair for Mercedes, Evan settled at the table.He gave her the window seat, because while he preferred to be as unobtrusive as possible, she’d always loved to people watch.
A few minutes later, she arrived with a tray filled with their drinks and pastry.It smelled delicious.Which one is mine?
She pursed her lips, then got a mischievous look in her eyes.“Let me figure out which one is better.”
As her gaze wandered extensively over the cinnamon rolls, Evan slid his hand across the table to one of them.She immediately slapped it away.Gently.“I think that’s the one I want.”
It was a given he’d let her have whichever one she desired.Lady’s choice.
Finally, she pulled one of the plates toward her and reached for her fork.He took the other and cut a huge piece.Gooey cinnamon and brown sugar dripped from the morsel, and he shoved it in his mouth before he lost any.Wow.Unbelievable.
When Mercedes finished her first bite, her eyes closed and her face was wreathed in ecstasy.He’d love to see this expression on her face when they were doing other things.Unfortunately, things they’d never do together.Not in this lifetime.
They chatted back and forth about the places they planned to visit today and how they’d meet Carli and Blake later in the day on the common to have dinner at his condo.Their condo.He still wasn’t used to Carli living right here in the heart of Boston.With her future husband.The fact he was staying in her old room should have helped him remember.
Once they were finished licking their fingers clean of the delicious cinnamon and frosting, they cleaned up and went to find the trolley stop.The tickets she’d gotten were for the “hop-on, hop-off” trolley.
There were already a dozen people waiting to get on.Mercedes held up a brochure.“It says they come by every fifteen minutes or so.”She held the map up for him to see.It didn’t matter; he was here to enjoy being with her.He didn’t need some boring historical tour.
When the trolley pulled into the assigned spot, everyone queued to get on.She and Evan hung back.He liked that she didn’t feel the need to be the first.This early in the morning, the vehicle wasn’t even half full.There was no need to push and shove to find a seat.
“I think we should stay on until we get to the Boston Tea Party ship and museum.Is that okay?”
It’s your day.You’re the leader.I’m merely here to keep you company.
They made their way to one of the back rows and when they were settled, she said, “I want you to have fun, too.”
He tapped her hand on the arm rest, trying to ignore the tingle in his skin.I’m with you.You’re all about having fun.I’m along for the ride.
Her face beamed, and she stuck her nose in the brochure again.When the trolley began to move, she faced him and started interpreting what the tour guide was saying.He didn’t really care about the history of Boston, but he loved that she gave him her full attention.
He could tell it was tiring to tell him everything that was said.He’d gone through this more times than he could ever count.
Don’t feel you need to interpret everything they say.Just give me the highlights or the funny stories.I can read any of the historical stuff myself.Not that he would.He’d rather someone run him over with a backhoe.
The traffic was thick today—Sunday—with tourists attempting to sightsee before the summer ended, yet the traffic during the week, with all the Boston companies open and employees rushing here and there, wasn’t much different.It was one of the reasons they’d taken the T in.Trying to find a place to park, as well as paying for that spot, was almost impossible.He was fortunate that his company worked out of Melrose, and if he needed to work in the city, he was provided a ride.
As they passed by Boston Common, Mercedes said, “We’ll have to take this part of the tour over again, so we can end up here to meet Carli and Blake later.”
Or we could walk from Faneuil Hall.You wanted to eat there for lunch.It’s not that far, and honestly, with the way traffic is today, it might be faster.
Mercedes made a face.“True.We can play it by ear when the time comes.”
As she interpreted for him, he only paid attention to her face.It was the most beautiful face he’d ever seen.Her expressions were so animated, he was fully entertained for the bumper-to-bumper drive around the city.
When they got to the Boston Tea Party, she waved for him to get off.Good thing she was paying attention.He’d been watching her face more than the road.
They paid the fee to go inside the museum and wandered around, examining the items inside.Evan didn’t mind looking at the old stuff, but he had no desire to read any of the million signs outlining the history of the attraction.They spent a few minutes in the gift shop, then left without buying anything.They lived close enough that they could always come back if they needed to.
After they left, they crossed the street to catch the next trolley on the way back.It was close to lunch time when they reached Faneuil Hall Market Place.They hopped off and ambled between the old buildings in the center.
The crowds were thick here, too, especially since it was shortly after noon.Lunch time for everyone.He loved watching her face as the people walked by.
