“Thanks.”
Eve clasps my wrist and pulls me away. Once we’re out of earshot, she does a little dance with a muted squeal. She hugs me and I crush her to me, kissing the top of her head.
“Did you hear that? A total stranger knows about my stuff.”
“I did. Proud of you, baby.”
She runs her fingers through her hair a few times. It’s how she likes to reset.
“Okay. Sorry, I just needed a minute to freak out.”
“A well-deserved celly if there ever was a time for one.”
She pulls a face. “Oh, come on, that was way more dignified than riding a hockey stick like it’s a horse or pretending it's a sword.”
I raise my hands as we continue down the row of booths. “The fist pump or skating a lap are more my style. They’re simple, classic.”
We bump our shoulders together as we laugh. She runs through a list of recognizable celebrations and rates them while we share food from one of the stalls.
This is nice. No one knows us here. We can just be ourselves, strolling hand in hand.
This is how it should be. When we’re back, I intend to start easing Benson into the idea of us together.
We try on ridiculous hats at one stall, taking photos of each other and together. I take about a million of her smile. Once she realizes how many I’m snapping, she flirts with the camera, blowing kisses until she’s close enough to trap in my embrace.
“Ready to go?” I ask when we reach the other end of the fairgrounds.
“I think so. We’ve hit all the booths. I’ve got so many good ideas for how I can set up mine for the maker’s market in December,” she gushes. “I can’t wait to plan it out now that I have a better visual.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
She slips her arm in mine on our way to the car while I carry most of the shopping bags. “I did. So far this is the best date ever.”
“Not gonna try to find out what’s next?”
“Nope. I’m along for the adventure now.”
My shoulders shake with amusement. “Good.”
After another stretch of driving, we check in at the hotel I booked in New Haven. She doesn’t know the plan for tonight, but I made a dinner reservation for the rooftop restaurant.
While she’s finishing her makeup in the bathroom, I sit on the end of the bed to put on shoes. When she comes out in a colorful floral dress with a neckline that falls off her shoulders, I still. Her hair is tied half up with a cream bow, the ends curled in bouncy waves.
“Wow,” I breathe.
She does a twirl. “It looks okay? I wasn’t sure since I bought it without trying it on.”
“Yes.” I smooth a hand down my shirt as I stand. “You’re stunning.”
“You look amazing, too. I really like you in suits.”
Her gaze flares with appreciation as it roves over me. I take her waist and swallow the surprised noise that escapes her when I kiss her.
“We’d better go before I mess up your makeup and tear this dress off of you,” I mutter against her lips, reluctant to part from her. “You’re too tempting.”
She sways when I pull away. “So are you.”
I fall back a step, then another, holding her hands. “First, let me show off my girl. Then tonight you’re all mine.”
