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Her misery was so palpable it made Collin’s heart ache for her. “What do you want, Rae?”
“I want . . . normalcy,” she said, which was something Collin knew regular people took for granted. “I want to walk out in public and not be ambushed by paparazzi. I want my private life to be kept private, instead of my every move written about in articles and splashed across celebrity sites. I’m tired of living up to everyone else’s expectations. And the worst part? Even being surrounded by dozens of people on a daily basis, I hate that I still feel very alone and lonely because I don’t know who to trust beyond superficial friendship.”
He nodded in understanding, even though it was hard to imagine anyone living in that kind of bubble. “Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate everything,” he suggested, even though he knew it was easier said than done in her situation.
“That’s what I have to figure out,” she agreed with a nod. “All I know right now is that I need balance, and I need to be happy.”
Yes, she definitely deserved that. “What would make you happy today, sweet girl?” He wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh, and whatever her heart desired, he’d find a way to give it to her.
She thought for a moment, then a beautiful, genuine grin lit up her face, chasing away all those other conflicting emotions for now. “What would make me the happiest is spending the day with you. Out in public. Holding your hand and enjoying your company. Let’s go to the Ocean City Boardwalk, like we used to when we were younger and before everything changed.”
Her request was a delightful surprise and one he could easily make happen. He stood up, walked to where she was sitting, and gave her a playful bow. “Your wish is my command.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Even though it was a Sunday afternoon and the Ocean City Boardwalk was packed with adults and kids enjoying a weekend out in the warm sunshine, Raevynn managed to disguise herself enough that she blended into the crowd as she and Collin strolled along the wooden walkway, hand in hand, looking like every other couple around them. Her entire demeanor was at ease, her mood upbeat as she enjoyed the shops and sights.
As she stopped to look at a window display of sterling silver jewelry, Collin cast a glance in her direction, amused by the big, floppy hat she had on her head, which she’d found in the guest bedroom closet. He remembered his mother using it years ago, but Raevynn managed to wear it like a fashion statement, and it also served the purpose of shading her too distinguishable features. As soon as they’d arrived, he’d purchased a pair of sunglasses from a sundry shop for her and she’d put them on. The large, white plastic frames covered her blue eyes and concealed half her face.
Despite all the attempts at camouflage, the one thing Collin could easily recognize was the unfettered smile on her lips that told him how happy she truly was in this moment, how grateful to just be herself and enjoy the day like any other tourist. She wasn’t the center of attention or being rushed by fans or trying to avoid people attempting to take a photo of a superstar. Clearly, that privacy and ability to let down her guard a bit and relax for a while meant so much to her.
“See something you like?” he asked, following her gaze to a specific part of the window display they were still standing in front of.
“Actually, I do,” she said, a wistful note to her voice. “I’ve always wanted a toe ring, and I love that one right there.” She pointed to a band that was etched with a floral design.
“Then le
t’s go into the store and get it for you,” he said, not thinking twice.
“I don’t have any money on me,” she reminded him ruefully. “And I’m not going to keep spending yours even though I intend to pay you back for everything you’ve bought so far.”
Collin realized that everything about today that involved money was going to become an argument with her about repaying him, and there was one way for him to put an end to that. “For the sake of me being able to treat you for the day without you feeling obligated to reimburse me for every little purchase, let’s consider today a date.”
“A date?” she repeated, a thread of melancholy infusing her tone as she glanced at him, making Collin realize that he wasn’t a fan of the sunglasses, because it kept him from seeing her expressive eyes and really knowing what she was thinking and feeling. “We never had the chance to go on a real date back in high school.”
“No, we didn’t.” Being alone with Raevynn those few months they’d been together had taken effort and planning and sneaking around her mother’s back. “So, let me take you on a date now.”
She smiled softly. “I’d like that.”
“So that means today is on me, no paybacks,” he said, making sure she understood so they didn’t have to revisit this conversation.
“Collin—”
“Nonnegotiable, Rae,” he said, cutting off her protest. “Let me do this one thing for you and make your day special and fun, please. I’m not as rich as you are, but a day at the boardwalk with you isn’t going to put me into debt. Neither is a twenty-dollar sterling silver toe ring.”
She laughed and finally conceded. “Okay, fine.”
They walked into the shop, and a few minutes later, they exited with her first souvenir circling one of her middle toes. She looked ridiculously delighted over the inexpensive trinket as they continued on their way, strolling in and out of various shops before stopping at Jilly’s Ice Cream Factory, which offered more than just the frozen treat. Instead of ordering cones, they shared a funnel cake topped with crushed sweet strawberries, and at the adjoining candy factory, Raevynn went a little wild, grabbing gourmet jelly beans, Swedish Fish, Pixie Stix, and Sour Patch Kids, all childhood favorites.
Before they left, the two of them took a selfie together in front of the Sweet Spot, and with no one around, Raevynn quickly removed her sunglasses and kissed his cheek as he snapped the photo, her lips curved into a flirty smile. At the arcade, she challenged him to a game of air hockey. A table was set up in the back of the building, and with Raevynn facing away from any passersby, she shed her disguise and pretty much kicked his ass point-wise. He didn’t remember her being so competitive, but he liked the challenge, and he especially enjoyed her cute little victory dance when she won.
There was so much to see and do, and the afternoon flew by, filled with carefree fun and laughter, reminiscing, and making new memories, too. When the sun finally went down and dusk settled in, she daringly took off her glasses and hat and stuffed them into a beach bag he’d bought to hold her things. Though she received a few curious stares, no one pointed, approached her, or identified her. The fact that her signature long blonde hair was pulled into a braid instead of being worn in soft waves down her back helped keep her identity more ambiguous.
“This is so liberating,” she said a bit giddily, lacing her fingers through the hand he’d rested across her shoulders to keep her close. “We just had dinner in a restaurant and no one noticed me.”
He glanced at her smug smile and laughed at how pleased she was with herself. “That might be because I strategically asked for outdoor seating, where the lighting was much more subdued and the area more private. And I made sure you faced away from the other customers.”
“Doesn’t matter. Being able to crack open those crab legs and dip the meat into that drawn butter with my fingers was wonderful.”
