“Sorry,” she whispered, grinning from ear to ear.
“What was it you said to me last night? I’d make up for it later? Quid pro quo, baby.” He kissed her again and tucked her pants into the backpack. She reached for it and he gave her a you-must-be-kidding look as he slung it over his shoulder.
She’d never had anyone take care of her the way he did, and even though she secretly loved it, she couldn’t resist teasing him. “Sounds like ownership to me.”
His arm darted around her shoulder, and she snuggled in to her favorite spot.
“Call it whatever you want,” he said.
They walked to the main road, Bear’s eyes scanning the faces of every man they passed, giving off that threatening vibe again, like he’d done in Whispers. She was coming to accept that being with him went hand in hand with being watched over like a hawk. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing, but she had a feeling there was more behind his watchfulness than mere boyfriend-like protection. He hadn’t said anything more about what happened in college, but she sensed it was eating him alive.
As they meandered through a gallery of nautical sculptures and paintings, she wrestled with what she was really asking of him. Was it fair of her to expect him to let her past go? She’d had years to deal with it, but she’d laid it on him and demanded he do nothing.
They left the gallery and visited a marine supply store, and as they walked around, she told herself that her decision was the right one. It was what she needed, and hopefully he’d eventually get past throwing off the killer vibe. On their way out, Bear bought a dark purple carabiner.
When they left the store, he opened the backpack and hooked the carabiner to her keys.
“What’s that for? Are you going to buy a leash next?”
“If you’re not careful, I might.” The tease in his eyes tugged at her as he hooked the carabiner to a leather loop inside the backpack. “You can hook this to your keys, then on your jeans or inside your bag. That way you’re not always digging for your keys. It’s safer this way.”
She snuggled up to him again, loving that he’d been noticing everything about her. “You really do care.”
“Babe, if you’re still figuring that out, you’re miles behind.”
Maybe so, but she was catching up quickly. “You watch over me so carefully, and I appreciate that. You were protective before I told you what happened, but ever since, you’ve been even more watchful.”
He guided her out of the middle of the sidewalk to let another couple pass by, and his face went serious. “As long as that guy is out there, I’ll worry.”
Her stomach knotted up. “Bear, please. I know it’s hard, and I’m sorry for asking you to let it go, but I wish you could just forget it ever happened. I left that part of my life behind.”
“And all I want to do is make sure it stays there.”
They visited a few more stores and stopped at a café for lunch. After Bear ordered fries, Crystal added a milk shake to her order.
Bear dunked a fry in her milk shake and fed it to her, watching her intently as her mouth closed around it. “You are totally into dipping my fry in your milk shake.”
“If you’re still figuring that out, you’re miles behind,” she teased.
They kissed for the millionth time, and she hoped they’d kiss a million more.
The waitress told them about the island’s weekly Sunday market down by the water and an observation deck located off of Ocean Drive, where they could see the wild ponies in their natural habitat. When they were done eating, they walked down to the market, passing rows of small, weather-beaten cottages.
“It’s nice getting out of town for something other than seeing my mother.”
“We’ll go on lots of rides together.” He smiled and added, “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to take off on my bike with you?”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to come around. But you’re a little intimidating—in a good way, not a scary way. Just being around you made my pulse go bonkers. There is no easing into Bear territory.” She gazed up at the bright sun, enjoying the warmth on her cheeks.
“Don’t be sorry, babe. I’d have waited longer. I might have gotten frustrated, but I wouldn’t have given up until you told me I had no chance.”
“What a load of bull that is.” She laughed. “I told you dozens of times that nothing would happen between us.”
“Verbally, yes. But your eyes told a different story.”
She knew that was true. Gemma had told her as much. “I’m glad you were so perceptive.”
When they reached the market, the road was blocked off with orange and white construction barriers. Helium balloons danced in the breeze, and a bright blue banner stretched across the road that read SUNDAY MARKET. Beyond the barriers, crowds of people milled about beneath a sea of white canopies. They joined the crowd passing booths selling fruits and vegetables, homemade jams and jellies, arts and crafts, and beaded jewelry. The scent of popcorn hung in the air from a vendor at the end of the street.
“Baby cakes, check this out.” He nodded toward a T-shirt vendor, where a short, stocky man was talking with customers while a tall, thin woman worked an iron press. “I want to get Kennedy and Lincoln a little something.”
They looked through the children’s shirts.
“How about these?” she suggested, holding up T-shirts that said I love Mommy and I love Daddy.
“Those are always good choices,” the man behind the table said, flashing a kind smile.
“Can I get something custom-made?” Bear asked.
“Sure.” The man grabbed a pad of paper and a pen. “What would you like?”
“I’d like a girl’s size-three pink T-shirt that says ‘I love Uncle Bear,’ but spell ‘Bear’ with an ‘H’ instead of an ‘R.’” Bear lowered his voice and said to Crystal, “She needs something unique, like you.” To the man, he said, “And I’ll take a black T-shirt for a one-year-old boy that says, ‘Future Dark Knight,’ with a ‘K.’”
“No one can say you aren’t the best uncle ever,” Crystal said as the man and woman began working on his order. “While you’re waiting, I’m going to use the restroom.” She pointed at a sign for the restrooms.
“I’ll go with you as soon as he’s done.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m a big girl.” He kissed her like she was going off to war, and then he kissed her again until she laughed into the kiss. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”