“I saw you face down your ex,” I say. “Even though you were scared for your life. That proves you’re made of stronger stuff than you think.”
“The cameras are scarier,” she lies.
“The cameras just want what they can’t see—a fairy tale. That’s not so bad. They’re in the mood for a happy story or two. We just have to serve them like this ice cream shop dishing up scoops.”
She fires a glare at me, but it has no bite. “I can’t believe you’re such a romantic. How does that happen when you’re so ... so you?”
“The same way you misjudged me.”
She laughs and allows me to lead her into the store. Although this is a show for the general public, I want her to relax—for her sake and for our watchful eyes.
I ignore the phones pointed in our direction as we decide on our order, taking our sweet time to taste test a few more types with the little wooden spoons they offer.
Soon, we step back into the summer sunshine with our cones, heading up the street.
“I don’t know how you stand it. Even the ice cream can’t take the edge off,” she whispers, deliberately not looking at my face.
“You get used to it.”
Her nose wrinkles. “I hope I never do. Is this what it’s like every time you go anywhere in Seattle?”
I check my watch. Just a little while longer.
“Not every time. Sometimes, we make sure a place is clear first. Or hire out a venue for true privacy, that sort of thing.”
She blinks in surprise. “A venue? What, like a whole restaurant?”
“Once in a blue moon. My father’s more prone to pulling that shit than me. He’s more allergic to people than ever since his—his condition.”
Especially so he can chew me out at will without anyone else listening.
She notices how I stumble at the end. I’m also glad she takes the hint on my face not to dig.
“NDAs go far too. Always important for our long-term relationships,” I say.
“Like the one you made me sign.”
I nod as I take a long lick of my toffee-flavored ice cream. “It’s for your own good as much as mine.”
“Somehow, I find that hard to believe.”
I find her hand with mine again and link our fingers with ease.
When we pass an older lady not even trying to hide her recording, Lena actually waves and makes a wild face.
“Do it again. Have fun with it.”
“Let’s not get carried away now.”
“Perish the thought.” I use our joint hands to check my smartwatch again. “I’ve arranged a ride to meet us up here by the church in about a minute.”
“A car?” She glances around like she expects it to come bursting out from between the buildings, barreling toward us. “Why?”
“What do you meanwhy? Luis has been here since morning. He’s going to take us to the nature preserve.”
“Nature preserve?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve never been to Bainbridge before.”
