‘I don’t know. You just never mentioned being a culinary whiz before now.’
‘I’ll have you know I can hold my own in the kitchen.’
‘I’m impressed.’
‘It’s just soup,’ he said modestly.
‘Did you make the bread rolls too?’
‘Uh, no,’ he said sheepishly. ‘I bought those. I have made bread before, but I got home late last night and somewhat distracted, thanks to you, and was a bit short on time this morning, so I picked those up at the café this morning when I stopped for coffee.’
‘I won’t hold it against you. They’re delicious.’
‘You’re delicious,’ he said, then pulled a face. ‘That came out way cornier than it did in my head.’
I chuckled absentmindedly. ‘That’s the kind of thing I’d say.’
‘I know. I must admit, there is a certain freedom to it. Saying any old thing that pops into your head.’
I squirmed around a bit. ‘Mm.’
‘Although I can definitely see how it might land you in some sticky situations.’
‘Mm? Oh, definitely.’
An urge that had slowly been building over the course of the afternoon suddenly decided to become a lot more urgent. It must have shown on my face, because he gave me a shrewd look. ‘OK, you’re clearly distracted. What’s up?’
‘Sorry?’
‘I can tell something’s wrong, Mae. If you’re uncomfortable in here with me, I can take you home,’ he said, pulling a face. ‘It’s not exactly going how I’d planned anyway.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I planned this when the weather forecast was still looking good. It wassupposedto be a romantic picnic while we watched the sunset over the ocean. But as usual, the fickle Pine Harbor winter weather had other plans. We’ll be lucky if we can see a few feet ahead of us in this rain, let alone a sunset.’
I cocked an ear. ‘Actually, I think it’s died down a little.’
He listened for a few seconds. ‘You’re right, it has. I wouldn’t count on it lasting though.’
I could ignore the urge no longer and reached for my boots. ‘It doesn’t need to last long, just long enough for me to…’
‘To what?’
I gave him a pointed stare, but he still didn’t get the hint. I sighed. ‘I need to visit the little girls’ room.’
He frowned. ‘The little…?’ The penny dropped. ‘Oh. The… Yep. Right. Fair enough.’ He reached into the basket and fumbled around a bit. ‘I have some wipes in here, and a couple of flashlights. I’ll take the headlamp,’ he said, putting it on over his hood. ‘You can take this one.’ He turned the flashlight on. The light flickered, so he banged it against his hand a few times until the beam was steady. ‘I’ll come with you.’
‘You will not.’
‘Well I’m not letting you go out there by yourself. As you pointed out earlier, there’s a cliff edge nearby.’
‘I’ll be fine.’
‘I’m sure you will, but I’m still coming.’
‘Jonah.’
‘I need to relieve myself as well anyway.’
