“There she is. That’s the smile I remember.”
I wasn’t sure what I’d expected the date to be; we just arranged to meet outside the hotel. This was so much better. I felt a twinge of guilt that, while we had shaken off the national press, we had also ditched Mary-Jane and Daniel.
We rolled out the large picnic blanket he had brought. I removed my boots and then helped Reed take off his. We both enjoyed the sand between our toes, and paddling was a must after we ate. At least it used to be.
I slid my coat off and tried not to swoon as Reed stripped off his leather jacket. He wore a black Nine Inch Nails tee, and it clung to his chiseled abs with sweat. The muscles in his neck flexed, dragging my gaze up to his new tattoo there.
“Do you want help to remove those?” I said, nodding innocently towards his leather pants.
Reed’s face lit up as he said in a joking voice, “We’ve not even finished the first course yet, and you’re already trying to get in my pants?”
“Very funny.”
“It’s fine. I only have my boxers on, and I doubt you’re ready for that just yet.” His mouth still curved with the promise of sin.
“You may be right,” I replied with a grin. I was wearing a baby pink tee with my jeans (Reed’s favorite color on me). I could see he was pleased as he passed me a paper plate.
The setting was perfect, and for the first time in weeks, I felt relaxed. The soft waves from the sea rolled gently against the shoreline, giving off an extra sense of calm. Shuffling back on the blanket we had laid out, I leaned against the rocks. The picnic he’d brought consisted of a packet of brioche rolls, some sliced ham, and a couple of bottles of water, but it was perfect as usual.
“Do you want me to whip you up one of my specials?” he asked as he opened the packet of meat and picked up a roll.
I smiled, “Please.”
“One slice or two?”
“I’m feeling adventurous, so I’ll say two.”
As Reed made up our sandwiches, I stretched my legs out, watching his profile as he concentrated.
Being in his company felt so natural. I’d never been so at ease with Jasper. Everything felt so right with Reed, and I knew that I would never feel the way I felt about him with anyone else. Finding each other again seemed so meant to be, and so why was I still running away? Reed was a success in his own right now. Did Jasper still pose a threat if I were to call the wedding off?
You made a promise to your family, a commitment.
As I glanced across at Reed, I realized that this was how a real man treated a woman. The meals I had shared in fancy restaurants along Newport’s shoreline were shabby in comparison. With Jasper, it felt like I was living my life in survival mode, but this, this seemed like a better way to live.
As I bit into the sandwich, I closed my eyes, savoring the taste. How could something so simple taste so good? After swallowing, I asked. “Why are you being like this?”
“Like what?” he questioned, shifting sideways, his leg skimming mine.
I turned my body closer towards him. “Nice, romantic even.” I thought back to how he’d been with me that first day back.
Reed’s jaw flexed as he chewed. “As opposed to what?”
With a raised eyebrow, I stated. “That asshole that I know you still have lurking in there,” I explained, pointing towards his chest.
He glanced down his torso with a puzzled expression before lifting his chin. “And you call yourself a doctor? That’s not where my asshole is.”
I full-on belly-laughed, probably for the first time in months, and Reed joined me. We then both finished our sandwiches and looked out at the water.
“There’s enough for seconds.”
As I took the next ham-filled brioche, mirroring Reed’s grin, we both started to reminisce.
“So, the Gazette will be pissed,” I said, placing the cap back on the bottle of Evian.
“Why?”
“That they didn’t get their scoop for the entertainment section. Macy-Jane was counting on getting to meet you.”
