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He cupped my cheek. “How can that be? How could I be getting everything I’ve ever wanted?”
I’d never had anyone describe me as everything they’d ever wanted before. It filled me with happiness. I felt practically giddy with it. Pleased, I blinked back tears at his confession. “I’m just following my heart.”
“I want to put the past behind us and heal with you by my side.” He was making an effort to recognize his self-sabotaging behaviors, maybe even put a stop to them.
I liked that I’d helped him. “We’ll go with the flow.”
“I like that.” His voice was soft.
My lips twitched. “Something tells me you’ve been interrupting the flow with your sharp edges and gruff exchanges.”
“It brought me to you, though. It was almost like it was luck or fate.”
I could only nod in agreement because my throat was tight with emotion. Even when he was irritated with me, when he dated Delilah, and when he gave me those parking tickets, I was drawn to him.
His shoulders relaxed, and his expression was playful. “You know, we’ve never been on an official date. I haven’t formally taken you out.”
“Hmm. I think you’re right. So, what are you going to do about that?” We were both so busy and tired at the end of the night, dinner at home was usually preferred. But I loved the idea of going out and enjoying the evening with him.
“Want to go out to eat tonight, take a walk around the harbor, maybe get some ice cream?”
Tipping my head to the side, I said, “I’d love to.”
He kissed me, and my heart contracted in my chest.
We walked hand-in-hand to the sushi restaurant on Main, ordering enough rolls that the waiter brought them out on a huge serving platter. We fed each other our favorites, laughing when they’d fall from the chopsticks. We joked about the stupid things we’d done in the past.
Outside the restaurant, Colton pulled me into his side. I loved being with him like this. It felt good, natural even. Like we were in a serious relationship. My heart expanded in my chest, and my skin was tingly and warm.
As we walked leisurely in the direction of the harbor, the warm breeze ruffled my hair. I couldn’t help stealing glances at his face to make sure he felt the same way. His expression was content. His muscles were loose, and his eyes crinkled at the corners when he caught me looking up at him.
“Not enjoying the view?” He gestured at the harbor, the small section of the waterfront where boats did a half circle, showing off before heading out to the harbor again. Some docked and got out to shop and enjoy the restaurants.
Pausing to look up at him, I said, “Oh, I am.”
He kissed me, seemingly oblivious to the crowd that had gathered to enjoy the nightly boat show.
Then we continued to city dock, the larger patio area at the waterfront.
His arm tightened around me. “I can’t remember the last time I came down here off duty.”
“I’m glad you came.” With me. I left off that last part. It was the truth, but I was still a little worried about scaring him away.
Looking down at me, his expression full of affection, he said, “Me too.”
Instruments played in the background, probably warming up and tuning to play a set for the crowd.
Colton looked over my shoulder, then nodded toward the row of visible stores. “Want to grab some ice cream?”
“I’d love to.” His hand slipped from my waist to interlace with my fingers, and I wasn’t positive which I enjoyed more. I just loved being near him, showing him a different way to go through life. Hopefully, he would always be at my side.
We sidestepped a crowd playing ping-pong at one of the tables and dodged a two-year-old racing away, his expression gleeful as he tried to outrun his father. When his dad reached him, he grabbed him by the waist, lifting the little boy into the air while he squealed and laughed.
“Those giggles are life, aren’t they?” Colton asked.
I glanced over at Colton. His expression was filled with longing. Sobering, I asked, “You want kids?”
He rolled his shoulders back. “That’s what I had in mind when I bought my house.”
