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I ponder for a moment, thinking of a tidbit that might catch him off guard. “Well, not many people know that I used to be an avid book collector.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Books?”
I nod, feeling a smile of fondness form on my lips. “Yes, I used to have shelves filled with books of all kinds. I loved exploring different worlds within the pages.”
Eric’s eyes brighten. “That’s fascinating. Do you still read a lot?”
“I do, but my collection isn’t as extensive as it used to be. Life happened, and I had to make some space.”
“Darn, that sucks. My mom used to read a lot.”
“What kind of books?” I ask.
“Mostly romance.”
I nod. “My mom likes those, too. Ohh, is that Cheez Whiz? I love Cheez Whiz!” I reach for the small container of crackers and metal canister.
“Sometimes it’s the simple things that bring the most joy.”
“Indeed.”
As I look at Eric, I realize what I like so much about him. Not only can I be myself around him, but it feels like we’ve known each other forever. The silence isn’t awkward and I don’t feel the need to break it. “You know, this might be the fanciest Cheez Whiz experience I’ve ever had.”
“Well, I aim to impress,” he jokes.
Our laughter dances on the night breeze, mingling with the soft glow of the candles. “You’re definitely succeeding,” I say.
A sudden chill runs down my spine, and I shiver involuntarily.
“You okay?” Eric asks, his voice filled with concern.
I smile, appreciating his attentiveness. “Just got a little chill from the breeze.”
He glances around and then back at me. “Hold on a second.”
He grabs a blanket, unfolding it and gently draping it over my shoulders. His cologne envelops the air around me, and the gentleness of his gesture stirs a different kind of sensation within me.
“Thank you,” I breathe, the blanket instantly chasing away the chill.
His gaze meets mine. With a tender smile, he leans in, and my heart quickens in response. As our lips meet in a gentle, lingering kiss, a rush of warmth courses through me. As his lips meet mine, I can’t help but respond, my heart racing in my chest.
When we finally pull away, our breaths mingling with the sea breeze, our eyes lock onto each other’s. There’s a sense of wonder in the air, as if we’ve uncovered something precious in the midst of the night’s magic.
“Hailey,” Eric whispers.
I meet his gaze, my heart pounding. “Yes?”
His fingers brush against mine, and he takes a deep breath before speaking. “Would you like to stay at my place tonight?”
I return his gaze, and a smile tugs at the corners of my lips, my heart guiding me forward. “I’d really like that.”
Breaking the spell, Eric stands up, a determined yet gentle expression on his face.
“Let’s head out,” he says.
He stands up and takes my hand, helping me up, and we gather the picnic items, folding the blankets and carefully packing them away. Then I toss the trash into the nearest can.
It takes a couple trips to put all the items in the truck.
