They made their way up the stairs slowly. Blue was patient, taking each step at her pace and not pushing her to ascend them any quicker than she was able. When they reached the doorway to the balcony, he stopped and held her close.
“You never need to warn me. There’s nothing I can’t handle. Are you sure you’ll be okay on the balcony? We’re really high up.”
Nothing you can’t handle? Again, she wondered if that were really true.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. It’s just the open stairs that rattle me.”
He opened the door and a gust of cold air rushed over them. Lizzie pressed herself closer to Blue, stealing his warmth as they stepped outside and took in the breathtaking view of the water and the miles of unencumbered shoreline.
“Thank you. I’m sorry about that.”
“Lizzie, you never have to apologize for being scared. We all have fears.”
If only he knew her greatest one. Losing him because of what she did. She tamped down that thought and focused on the here and now—being with Blue in this incredible place.
“Thanks for understanding. It’s crazy that you own this. What will you do with the lighthouse?”
“I’m not sure yet. I thought about restoring it to its original condition.”
“Makes sense, I guess. But if it were mine, I’d do something really different. You’ve got this spectacular view. Why not make this into livable space? I’d put a floor between the top and bottom with another balcony and windows. Or maybe that’s not structurally possible, but how cool would it be if it was?”
He stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist. “I love your vision. You don’t see what everyone else sees. Like with your orange kitchen and your string gardens, you put your personal touch on everything.”
“Is that a nice way to say I have weird taste?”
The brisk air stung her cheeks and Blue’s warmth heated the rest of her.
“No, it’s me telling you that I am attracted to everything about you, Lizzie, and I’m totally falling for you.” He turned her in his arms and gazed into her eyes. “I’m picturing you here with me all the time. In the house. In the lighthouse. On the beach.”
Her heart was beating so fast she was afraid if she opened her mouth it would come racing out.
“Does that freak you out?” he asked.
She shook her head, envisioning the same things, despite the devil on her shoulder whispering, “Naked Baker.” Her hair whipped across her face in the wind. Blue gathered it in his hands and held it over her shoulder as he leaned down and kissed her, sealing her secret away.
***
THEY TOOK A walk along the beach, kept company by the sounds of waves rolling in. They were barefoot, and the sand was cool beneath their feet. When they returned to his property, Blue spread out a blanket on the beach and made a fire to keep them warm, then joined Lizzie, reclining on his side and propping himself up on his elbow.
“I can’t remember when I’ve had such a great day. I still don’t know how you fit almost two full pies in that tiny body of yours.”
She laughed as she stretched out beside him. “My mom used to tell me that one day I’d wake up weighing six hundred pounds, and I used to say that that would be okay. At least I’d enjoy getting there.”
He placed his hand on her hip. “You’d be just as gorgeous, no matter what size you were. Your beauty comes from within.”
She blushed and dropped her eyes. When she met his gaze again, her eyes were serious. “Blue, you’re such a great guy. You’re open and honest in a way that most guys aren’t, and you’re romantic and thoughtful. Why are you still single?”
“Why? Well, for the last year I’ve been trying to get a certain woman’s attention.” He knew she was asking for more, and although he hadn’t ever shared his past with anyone but family, he wanted to let Lizzie into his world. He didn’t want any secrets between them.
“Before that, I guess it was a combination of not meeting the right person, and the past.”
“The past?”
His gut knotted with the memory, but he wanted to be honest with her. “I dated a girl for a little more than a year, and I thought she was it, you know? We were young, and honestly, she probably did me a favor, but I caught her cheating on me, and…” He shrugged, hoping that would suffice.
“And it hurt,” she offered.
He nodded.
“That sucks. I never understand why people cheat instead of just breaking up. I’m sorry you went through that. Although I can’t imagine anyone ever cheating on you.”
He moved closer, bringing their bodies together, and draped an arm around her, holding her to him. Her feet snuck between his legs, and he knew she was seeking warmth. Reflections of the fire danced in her eyes, and when she smiled, he felt it in the center of his chest.
“What about you? You’re gorgeous, you have your own business, and you’re sweeter than that pie we had this afternoon. Why hasn’t some guy scooped you up by now?”