“Ah, let me put these in water, and we can go.” She nearly dropped the bouquet but giggled and finished putting them in the vase.
When she turned away from me, I was grateful I wasn’t holding anything in my hands. Her colorful, patterned turquoise dress was tied in some intricate knot at her neck, leaving the back uncovered. Leyla never failed to make my knees weak.
“Ready,” she called, grabbing a jean jacket and a tiny purse that hung from a long strap.
She lived just a few minutes away from Balboa Park, so our conversation was short, gratefully, because her sweet vanilla perfume was once again seeping into the fabric of both my car and my heart. It was knocking me off my axis once again.
After finally finding a parking spot, we walked through the tree-lined avenues, weaving through the crowds gathered at the food truck event.
“What looks good?” she asked, scanning the menus as we passed each truck.
“I’m up for anything except oysters and liver,” I answered.
She laughed lightly. “Got it. Nothing slimy.”
I was still walking when I realized she wasn’t next to me anymore. Straining my neck, I couldn’t find her, so I started pushing through the crowd, worried something had happened.
I found her a few minutes later, scanning the growing crowd looking for me. A wide smile grew as our eyes connected. Walking quickly toward her, I asked, “Are you all right? I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you weren’t beside me. We can find you a table to sit at, and I can fight the crowd.”
“I’m fine, promise. Just thought I’d lost you there for a moment,” she said with a wink. “Let’s fight the crowd together.”
Gathering my courage, I held out my hand to her. She looked at my hand, then back at me.
“So I don’t lose you again.” My offer was innocent and very much appropriate for the setting we were currently in, but after the words left my lips, Leyla looked into my eyes and seemed to feel the same thing I had. Those words held more meaning than just an offer to keep her safe.
“Let’s not let that happen,” she said, shaking her head.
I wanted to say I’d never let it happen again, but I settled for letting her soft hand fit into mine.
It was then that I knew. I was in love with this woman. Even years ago, I felt it. Being with her again solidified it in my mind. There would never be anyone else but her, and the thought of losing her again terrified me.
With a nod, I started walking again. Pretending to be engrossed in the search for dinner, I sucked in a breath as she slowly threaded her fingers between mine.
Her hands were a perfect fit, just as I knew they would be. Somehow, I was sure she’d be perfect for my life in every way.
We eventually decided on a few dishes from a South African food truck, and I reluctantly let go of her hand when I went to pay.
“These are amazing,” she said, once we found a spot to sit. “I’ve had Indian samosas, but these are even better.”
“They remind me of Turkish sigara boregi. Flaky dough, minced meat with cheese fried crispy like this,” I answered, enjoying our dinner. “Try the spicy chutney.”
“I’m a bit of a lightweight on spice, but I’m game.”
I dipped a pastry in the verdant condiment and brought it up to her mouth. She hesitated for just a moment before taking a small bite. Closing her eyes, she said, “Oh, that is delicious. The sweetness of the mango and the spices together. Wow.”
Watching her eat should not be this distracting. Dipping her next bite into the spicy chutney and smiling as she chewed made me desperate to snatch the bite from her hand and taste her sweet, spicy lips.
Leyla giggled as her gaze went to my mouth. On instinct, I started wiping it harshly with my flimsy napkin.
“Hold on, you’re missing it,” she said, bringing the napkin to my mouth and wiping ever so slowly, her gaze still on my lips. “Ah, got it.”
She pulled her hand away like it was on fire, pink staining her perfect face.
“Thanks.” Clearing my throat, I went back to my meal.
We ate in companionable silence as I snuck glances at her from below my lashes.
“It’ssucha beautiful night.” Leyla looked around, admiring the stars that had begun to fill the night sky.
