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“The world?” Samuel repeats and chuckles. On the side of the road is a little tin shed with a hand-painted sign readingFruit for Sale.
Samuel slows to veer the Porsche off the road at a safe speed where no loose stones flick up and damage his car’s paint.
They wander over to a variety of fruits on display, including figs and homemade jam.
“Someone could steal everything,” he says, wide-eyed.
“It’s the country, and no doubt someone’s keeping check from a distance. There might be a camera to snap your registration plate, and they could call ahead to the locals to watch out for you.”
Samuel spins, looking around. “For real?”
“No.” She grins. “Now pick some fruit.” She picks up an orange and peels a piece, then takes a bite. “Seriously, this is good. We should buy some.”
“And if it wasn’t tasty?”
She bumps his hip. “You’re too easy today.”
They pack oranges, lemons, apricots, and plums into bags and then select apricot and fig jam. The honesty box has a lock so Samuel leaves a hundred-dollar bill.
Eden shakes her head. “It wouldn’t even cost fifty dollars.”
“It will make up for any missing fruit.”
Eden kisses his cheek. “You’re very generous, and it’s a reason why I love you.”
He holds her gaze. “Yeah? What are the other reasons?”
She takes his hand as they stroll back to the car. “Your good looks and your smile. It can change my mood in a second.”
He presses her against the car and kisses her hard. “I could change your mood right now,” he whispers against her lips.
“You always do.” Eden links her arms around his neck. He kisses her nose then opens the car door, closing it behind her. Dropping the fruit on the floor in the back, he starts the engine and veers the car onto the road. Inside the safety of the car has opened a part of him to chat easily with Eden. “You said I didn’t smile enough when we first met.”
“You didn’t.” She places a hand on his thigh. “You intrigued me beyond the pull of attraction, despite your grumpiness,” she jokes. “So, tell me, what first appealed to you about me?”
Samuel grins. “You, in that bathing suit on the beach in Salvador.” He gives her a sideways glance and winks before looking back to the road. “I’ve seen thousands of chicks in tiny bikinis, yet you stole the air out of my lungs. I had to get a closer look, and everything about you appealed to me. My brain was like tick, tick, tick.”
“You had a type?” she asks incredulously.
“I didn’t know I had a type, and if you recall, I was also backing away, trying to put space between us. I wanted you, yet I knew we couldn’t be together.”
“And here I am proving you wrong.”
Samuel shakes his head and chuckles. “It’s your superpower.”
“Hey, it’s okay. You did the same to me. I remember wading out of the water trying to find you.”
The cabin of the car falls quiet.
Samuel is only half the size compared to when she met him. He taps the steering wheel with one finger as though it’s a distraction. “I’m trying, Eden.”
She gives him a few seconds before answering, “I know.”
* * *
They arrive at Amy’s quaint country rental in Berri. She gives them a quick tour before showing them to the spare bedroom.
“We’ll head to the best bar in town tonight for dinner. You’ll get to meet the locals.”
