I sobered. “I’m scared all the time.”
“What of?” Dorian asked.
“Of being alone because of the way I am.”
“You want someone to grow old with?” Dorian asked.
“I shouldn’t, but I do.”
“Why shouldn’t you?”
“Because when you allow yourself to want something, and then it doesn’t happen, it’s worse than not wanting anything at all.”
“That’s really sad,” Dorian said.
“I know.”
We both gazed at the waves crashing gently to shore.
“It might be best to get it over with,” I said.
“What’s that?”
“The kiss,” I said, hardly believing those words were coming out of my mouth.
“I’ve had invitations that were a little more enthusiastic, but I’ll take it.”
“I’m just going to sit here, and you’re going to do it, okay?” I asked.
“I can do that.”
He made a big show by interlacing his fingers as if stretching for a big race. “You ready?”
Before I could answer, he was there, inches away, then closer, until finally his mouth touched mine. He kissed me, the fluttery kind that was more of a tickle than a kiss. I put my arms around his neck. “You’re going to have to do better than that. You can’t break me.”
He pulled me roughly to him, then kissed me hard, with a passion I didn’t know the calm, mild-mannered man possessed.
And as it turned out, kissing came right back to me. I never wanted to stop. Apparently seagulls had no sense of romance because just then several dive-bombed us, snatching crackers before flying away, screaming victory.
For whatever reason, that made us laugh—so hard we couldn’t stop. The kind that made my stomach hurt and my jaw ache.
I hadn’t laughed like that in a long, long time. It felt good. Maybe too good. But for now, I was just going to choose to let myself have this.
13
DORIAN
Iwas restocking the new arrivals table when Annie came in, dressed in jeans and a blouse. “Morning, Dorian.”
“Good morning.”
She dropped her bag behind the desk and grabbed her apron. “Can I help you with that?”
“No, I’ve got it. But if you wanted to tidy up the children’s section, that would be great. We had a few hellions in here yesterday, and I didn’t have a chance to clean up. Had to get ready for my date.” I grinned.
“Sounds like you had a good time,” Annie said, ever so casually as she tied her apron.
“I think so.”
