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“I’ve got you beat by four years,” she said.

Blake nodded and said, “That’s not too old, Lauren.”

“I guess you never know,” she said. With a deep breath, the murky cloud over her disappeared and she smiled. “It’s almost our turn. You’ll help me, right? Because that walkway thingy just wobbled, and I’m about to bolt because of that, not you asking me how old I am.”

Blake hadn’t even seen the walkway move. People walked up it to the ship, and it seemed to be swaying a normal amount. “I’m right here, baby,” he said. He pressed a kiss to her temple. You can close your eyes if you want, and I’ll guide you right to our table.”

“There is no way I’m closing my eyes,” she said. “You’re insane.”

He looked at her, the couple in front of them handing over their tickets. “Do you trust me or not?”

She searched his face, swallowed, and came up with, “Yes,” in a froggy voice.

“Then close your eyes.” He waited for her to do it, and then he handed his tickets to the man standing at the entrance to the gangplank.

He ripped them and handed them back, said, “Table twelve, sir,” and gave Lauren a strange look.

“All right,” Blake said, taking the first step. “We’re walking. Just move with me, baby. I won’t go fast.” He didn’t either. He had several feet between him and the couple in front of him, and they had to go up a couple of stories on the ramp to get to the boat.

“Slight incline,” he murmured, and he was glad she hadn’t worn heels. He checked to make sure she wasn’t peeking, and she sure wasn’t. He loved the lines of her face and the way she’d painted her lips pink tonight. He hadn’t smeared it at all with that kiss either, and he’d have to do a better job of that next time.

Just thinking about kissing her again set his blood to boiling, but he managed to ease her around the corner and back up the next ramp. “Going up again.”

“I can’t believe we’re going up,” she said. “Now when I fall in the space between this very shaky sidewalk and the boat, I’m going to plummet to my death.”

“Nope.” He squeezed her hand and kept her close to him. “I won’t let you fall.” He moved slow enough that he didn’t have to stop them to wait for the couple ahead of them to get on the ship.

He moved around the next corner with, “To your left, Lauren.” She moved with him in sync, and he felt like they were completing a dance neither of them had done before with anyone else. But together, it made perfect sense. Together, they could do anything. Together, all of the moves were fluid and easy.

“Another left,” he said, and it was the last turn. But he didn’t want her to know that. He didn’t want her to know she’d moved from “shaky sidewalk” to ship at all.

They stepped over the threshold together, and Blake gazed at all the tea lights and people enjoying champagne on the ship. He’d been on these harbor cruises before, and they never stuffed them too full.

He tugged Lauren to the right so they’d be out of the way, and said, “Open your eyes, Lauren.” She did, first gazing around at the upper deck of the ship. “Oh,” fell from her lips, and Blake thought he could end the date right then and be the victor. She drank in the luxurious atmosphere on the boat, and a waiter approached with champagne.

“Thank you,” she said, but he waved it away. Not only was he driving, but he’d committed to not drinking for the foreseeable future. She sipped hers, the magic of the harbor cruise sinking fully into her eyes.

“You’re on the boat,” he pointed out.

Lauren looked over to the people still embarking. “Yes.” She smiled at him. “Thanks, Blake. That was so much easier than if I’d been looking.” She stretched up and kissed him, and he was drunk instantly. Not from the tiniest taste of champagne on her tongue, but from the woman herself.

He’d been thinking about her for a solid year—longer than that, if he were really being honest with himself—and actually being with her was far superior to any fantasy he’d had.

She rescued him from his boredom, and he thought he could endure any spreadsheet if he could kiss Lauren at the end of the day.

10

Joy Bartlett bustled around the outdoor kitchen, realizing why Harrison liked it so much. There was so much room, with counter space galore, and hooks for all the utensils she used on the grill. She was bursting with news, and she couldn’t wait for their monthly Supper Club to start.

Cherry Forrester wouldn’t be here physically, but everyone else had stayed through Cass’s honeymoon. She and Harrison had returned yesterday, and Joy couldn’t wait to hear all about Europe, the castles, the river cruise, the landmarks, everything.

“They’re going to die,” she said gleefully. “When you tell them about Chester.” She grinned at the watermelon on the grill and then started removing it. She just wanted the smoky, charred flavor, and then she’d chill it again. Behind her, a cat meowed, and it would be Chloe. Oscar rarely came outside unless forced, and Joy hardly saw him in the house either.

Lauren said he liked to lurk under couches and beds, while Chloe liked to sit in the sunshine and imagine herself to be a great bird-catcher. Joy had caught the gray and white cat in the window, pawing at the glass, a time or two.

She turned now and found Chloe on the patio table. “Hey,” she said. The cat barely looked at her. “Get down, you. Go on.” She waved the long, grilling tongs at Chloe, who gave her a doleful look and hopped to the stones. “Thank you.”

Chloe stalked to the edge of the patio and jumped up on the wall there. She looked over the beach, and Joy wondered if she thought she was some sort of Lion King. Surveying the lands she owned. The grasses would bow to her.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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