“We’re nearly there. Ready?” I say instead, nodding at the ferry terminal coming into view. A few lazy harbor seals lounge on one of the nearby buoys.
“No. I’d rather watch the seals and ride back and forth.”
“You’ll do fine. You’re withme, baby girl.”
“God, you—” Her voice chokes off as she leans against me, her skin so hot.
“What?”
“You have to stop doing that. And fine? That’s easy for you to say,” she grumbles, but when the ferry docks and we step onto the long walkway gate to deboard, there’s a smile on her face.
A natural one.
“Just pretend it’s a normal day out of the city. I come here all the time, and I still love it,” I say. “Wave at the friendly people when you catch them staring.”
It’s not a long walk through the small terminal and up the hilly sidewalks into town, walking hand in hand.
The sun is out, and I spot a few obvious gawkers along the shaded streets, already trying to film us.
By tonight, their content will be everywhere.
Like always when there’s a performance to put on, I slip back into my show suit, smiling and pressing hands with a few folks who do a double take as we pass.
Beside me, Lena relaxes slowly.
On the ferry, it was easy to forget what we were here for, but the attention we pull as we head down the main stretch of town acts as a constant reminder.
I wave to a group passing by.
“Now I know how it feels being royalty. So ridiculous.” She sighs.
“Never spent too much time with royals, and nobody here would recognize them.” I peer through the window of a bookstore as we pass. “Do you want to stop and browse? It’s a nice, quiet break in here.”
“What, to buy something?” She stops beside me, hand tucked in my arm.
“I told you it’s just a day trip. So, yeah, if you feel like picking up a new book or some touristy gimmick, why the hell not? Let’s look natural.”
She huffs, but a little more of her tension fades as she glances up at me, her big brown eyes softening.
“I don’t do touristy. Sorry. There’s a reason I avoid the Seattle waterfront like a plague.”
“Ice cream, then?” I nod at a small place a few more stores down, which sells the good stuff. “I know you’ve got high standards from your mom’s place and all. Never gets old to feed your sweet tooth. Also, it’s good for the local economy.”
“Well ...” She blinks, her lips pursing as she mulls it over. “The chocolate cherry flavor sounds interesting.”
“Perfect.” I steer us toward the store, sidestepping two people who snap quick pictures of us.
Lena’s shoulders tighten, but to my surprise, she offers them a goofy smile and a wave.
“There she is. You’ll be a natural in no time,” I say.
“And you’ll drag me into an early grave,” she grumbles.
“With that smile? Like hell. If you’re not careful, you might start having a good time, woman.” I lean in to kiss her cheek as we stand in the shade of the awning, taking our place in the long midday line. “No one’s going to look at us and think this is new.”
“You think?” She examines our clasped hands like she’s just realized we’re still linking them. “Everythingfeels new. I can’t stop feeling jittery.”
It’s not like her to be intimidated.
