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Eleven
Hallie didn’t know what Gavin’s “you’ll see” comment referred to, but after dinner they didn’t go straight to his truck so he could drive her home. Instead, he angled away from the sidewalk leading through town and toward the water behind the row of restaurants and shops.
The night was moonlit, the stars shimmering. Laughter echoed off the water, interspersed by the low blubber of boat motorists who honored the “no wake” restriction after sundown.
On a boardwalk along the lake’s shoreline, vendors in booths and food trucks sold fall-themed treats. From pumpkin bread to caramel apples to funnel cake, there was a lot to choose from.
“Does your sweet tooth beckon?” Hallie teased as they passed by another vendor.
“Yes. Especially the apple covered in chocolate drizzle and marshmallows. Too bad I ate dessert already.”
“I didn’t peg you for a marshmallow guy.”
“I’m sweeter than you think.” His grin was flirty. “What about you? What’s the real reason behind you thwarting my efforts to split dessert with you? And you’d better not say you’re dieting.”
“I told you the real reason. Dinner was filling.” Plus, she didn’t want to stuff herself and feel sluggish. She might miss something—like this lovely walk. Or whatever happened later... “The bite you gave me was perfect. Sometimes a taste is just enough.”
“And sometimes, a taste only makes you want more.” He turned and she stopped short, tipping her head to look up at him. His hair blew softly in the breeze rolling off the water, tempting her to tousle what she imagined would be soft, wavy strands.
He reached down and grasped her hand, tugging her closer to him to avoid an oncoming couple. “This okay?” he asked, their arms touching from elbows to palms.
“Yeah. Yes.” Far better than okay.
The locals thwarted the autumn chill in the air with light jackets. Others, likely tourists from warmer climates, wore thicker coats and scarves.
Gavin paused in front of a display window of a luxury shop. “I buy my suits here. I’d be lost without my tailor. He helps me step into the role of cutthroat lawyer.”
“You should call him your costumer.” She laughed. “A cutthroat anything is so not you.”
“As a fun-loving, likable guy, I have to overcompensate. Better for my clients that I’m mistaken for a lion than a lamb.”
“I like that about you,” she blurted out before she’d meant to. She shut her eyes and smiled to herself. “When it came to choosing between fun or hardworking, guess what I chose?”
“It doesn’t mean you can’t choose again.” He tucked her hair behind her ear, lingering to trace her cheek with one finger. She wanted to lean into his hand, push to her toes and taste his mouth. She didn’t, though, which only proved how far she had to go. “You don’t have to fit a mold, Hals. Not one assigned to you by society or formed by expectations. From others or from your sister.”
“Normally I’d be worried about this.” She lifted their joined hands.
“Holding my hand?”
“I’m mistaken for Hannah in public often. Now she’s married. And here I am with her husband’s brother. If the tabloids spotted us, they’d go crazy.”
“Any of them here now?” He glanced around.
“I’m not sure,” she said, inspecting the people milling around. “Usually you can tell by the way they peek and quickly look away. Or when they whisper to whomever they’re with before discreetly snapping a photo.”
“Sounds like a pain in the ass.” He pulled her around to stand in front of him.
“I’m used to it.”
“Used to holding back for the sake of your sister’s reputation?”
She hated to admit how right he was, but that was exactly what she’d been doing.
“Used to them assuming I’m Hannah.”
“Oh, but they’re wrong. Instead they’re getting a rare peek at her more elusive, insanely gorgeous, fun, intelligent, brave sister, Hallie Banks. They won’t know what to do with themselves.” His mouth tipped up on one side, making him look boyish and manly at the same time. “I’m having that issue myself.”
Again with the compliments. She didn’t know what to do with herself when he talked to her like that. Tearing off his clothes seemed a tad dramatic, but the temptation was there all the same.
