I like him. I know I shouldn’t get too attached because he’s made it clear he isn’t anyone’s Mr. Happily Ever After, but myheart doesn’t seem to care what he says. It just wants him. And maybe that’s not the worst thing. I could enjoy Mr. Right Now, and there’s always a chance it could turn into more, but I won’t count on that.
We stop at a gelato shop and each get a cone. He opts for citrus while I select old-fashioned hazelnut chocolate, then we stroll along Commercial Street together, eating and talking. When I finish my gelato, I lick my fingers clean.
Tony digs in his pocket and passes me a napkin. “Here.”
“Thanks.” My cheeks heat. “I always make a mess with ice cream.”
He shrugs his uninjured shoulder. “Part of the joy of eating it, in my opinion.”
My heart expands. Even his ice cream philosophy meshes with mine.
Not that I should read into it.
Sighing, I remind myself this is a holiday romance—at most.
“That’s an awfully big sigh for someone who’s about to go on a cruise around the coastline,” Tony says.
My eyes shoot to his. “What?”
He nods toward the building on the opposite side of the street. There’s a poster showing a group of people on a motorboat in the window. “Surprise.”
I stare at it, then back at him. “Wait, seriously?”
“Yeah.” He grabs my hand and tugs me across the street toward it. “Come on. We’re booked for the ride that’s departing soon.”
“But… what? How?”
“I called and booked it while you were changing clothes.” He grins. “I knew approximately how long it would take us to get here.”
I gape at him. “You sneak!”
“But you like it.”
“I do,” I agree. “This is really sweet. Thank you.”
His smile softens and he clasps my hand a bit tighter. “I think we could both use some fun.”
He leads me into the building and sorts out details with the woman at the desk while I peruse photographs layered several deep on a pin-board. They show smiling people with the ocean behind them. I reach for a photo of a couple about to kiss and trace the outline of their faces with my fingertip. They’re so absorbed in each other it’s like the camera doesn’t exist.
That’s what I want.
“Luce,” Tony calls. “Come over here. We need to get fitted with life jackets.”
Tearing my gaze from the couple, I join him. The next ten minutes are a blur as we sort out our gear, introduce ourselves to the other people on our trip, and load into a van to head down to the water. It’s only once we’re about to board the boat that I feel like I can breathe properly again. I take Tony’s hand as he helps me on. It’s larger than I’d thought, based on the photos, but still small enough that I’ll be able to see everybody at all times. The seats are in rows, with a bench around the edge, facing the water. Tony and I sit on the bench. I haven’t been on a boat before, and my stomach rolls as it moves on the waves. Tony seems more comfortable than me. I know his family has made a couple of trips to Italy to visit relatives who live near lakes, so perhaps he’s been out on the water before.
“You’re sure we’ll be safe here?” I ask, gesturing to our position.
He kisses the tip of my nose. “We’ll be fine.”
The boat’s skipper speaks through a microphone system, getting our attention. He welcomes us and does a brief talk about safety, which eases my nerves and helps the excitement shine through. Soon after, the engine hums to life, and we slowly move forward. I grip the edge of the seat tightly to steady myself. Tonyrests a hand on my thigh, and when I meet his eyes, I can see the reassurance there. He won’t let me go overboard.
The boat picks up speed, and we pass the harbor and marina. I keep my gaze trained on the coast, where the larger commercial and industrial buildings eventually give way to smaller private homes and lodges. People stroll along the sand and swim in the shallows. We bounce on the crests of waves as the skipper takes us further out. Gaining confidence, I lean over the edge to watch the churning white water along the side of the vessel, then look up at Tony and beam. My heart is racing, and I love the sensation of the wind in my face—although I do wish I’d brought sunglasses.
“Having fun?” he asks with a matching grin.
“This is awesome.” The views are growing more rural, and I catch sight of a tall white building near the landward edge of the sand. “Hey, look at that.”
He turns and raises a hand to shield his eyes. “That’s the Provincetown lighthouse.”
