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They made their way down, and he put her bag into the trunk of his fancy Mercedes-Maybach. After she got into the passenger seat, he asked, “Did you remember the vitamins the doctor wanted you to take?”
“Of course I remembered my vitamins. I didn’t suddenly become incapable just because I’m pregnant.” Then she threw at him, “Did you remember your vitamins?”
“Honestly, in my excitement to hit the road with you, I was halfway to your apartment before I realized I forgot to bring my bag.”
Just like that, her defenses fell. It was so good to know he wasn’t with her because she’d put a figurative gun to his head, but because he actually wanted to spend time with her.
They made it through city traffic in record time and headed out to Highway 1.
“Where should we go? North or south?” he asked. They’d agreed she’d lead the first day, and he’d lead the second.
“South.”
They followed the coastal road through Pacifica and Montara and Half Moon Bay. Despite it being mid-December, it was a sunny day without a cloud in the sky. That was one of the best things about living in Northern California.
When they hit Santa Cruz, she said, “I’m hungry. I’ve heard about a great restaurant in town that specializes in bean sprouts. We’re only a couple of blocks away, so go ahead and find a parking space.” She waved her hand imperiously, enjoying herself far too much at his expense.
He shot her an incredulous look as he pulled into a spot. “How can you specialize in bean sprouts?”
“Easy,” Lyssa said after she’d climbed out. “You can order a bagel with bean sprouts and avocado and cucumber. Or a pita with tomatoes and bean sprouts and cucumber. Or a pizza with sprouts. Or a quiche with sprouts. Or a smoothie with sprouts.”
“Does that mean I can’t ask them to hold the sprouts?” he asked right before they walked inside.
She laughed, loving his fantastic sense of humor. “I’d like to see you try,” she said on a grin, marching through the door.
Lyssa was pleasantly surprised when Cal ended up liking the sound of so many things on the menu that he had to ask the guy taking their order what he’d choose for himself. Through her easygoing billionaire brothers, she knew not all billionaires were picky or difficult, but it was still nice to see how easily Cal adjusted to his environment. The restaurant floor was concrete, with huge couches and chairs, coffee tables between them. Movie posters plastered the walls, featuring films made in Santa Cruz, such as The Lost Boys and Sudden Impact.
“Want half?” Cal asked once their food was ready.
“Of course,” she said, “but only if you’ll take half of mine.”
“I was counting on it.” He gave her one of his beautiful smiles.
Warmth unfurled inside her as they split their food, and they both tucked in.
Their pita—with lettuce, avocado, bean sprouts, red pepper, and a fabulous sauce—and bagel—with cream cheese, sprouts, cucumber, chives, and spinach—were delicious, and when they were done, Cal said, “Great pick, Lyssa. I never would have come here, and I would clearly have missed out.”
“Thanks for being open to it.” She’d been testing him, seeing how he’d react to something so out of his comfort zone. And he’d passed splendidly.
Was this one of his get-Lyssa-to-fall-in-love techniques? Do whatever she wanted and act like he loved it?
But no, she’d never seen Cal be disingenuous.
And she felt herself being irresistibly drawn to him. Drawn toward one of his luscious kisses she hadn’t been able to stop dreaming about.
But she wasn’t ready to open that door again. No, she’d need more than a drive down the coast and a nice lunch to get there.
“Ready to head to our next destination?” she asked.
A hint of disappointment darkened his eyes as they walked back to his car, as if he had been dreaming about one of her kisses.
“You bet. Should I keep heading south?”
She nodded. “I’ll tell you when to pull off. Just stay on Highway One for now.”
As they sped south toward Monterey and Carmel, the meal in her belly lulled Lyssa into a naplike state. She was still awake, but too comfortable to do more than enjoy the view of the coast out her window and listen to old Beatles tunes playing over the sound system. Thankfully, Cal wasn’t someone who needed to fill every moment with words. On the contrary, she’d always been struck by how carefully he chose his words.
She perked up when she saw a sign ahead. “Take the next left.”
“Are we going to explore the beaches of Big Sur?”
She just smiled. He didn’t know it yet, but he was in for something special. Something wild.
Something Lyssa.
* * *
Cal was enjoying himself more than he could remember doing since he’d been a teenager, before he’d turned seventeen.
