T he sun set behind Evan as he walked up and down the docks, inspecting the boats before they left the marina for the flotilla. The boards creaked under his weight. He rested his palm on one of the pilings towering by the bulkhead. With only one week to go until Christmas, Harpers Point was operating on high Christmas spirit. Tonight’s event was another main attraction for visitors across the state. The marina was only this busy during the summer. It was good to see the slips full and people strolling hand-in-hand before the flotilla started .
“Looking good, Mayor,” Shep Howard waved from his skiff. He had added a wreath to the center console and rigged a net design with Christmas lights. Evan wasn’t sure, but once it was dark, he thought it might be in the shape of a giant crab with a Santa hat .
He waved in return. “I like your wreath, Shep.” He didn’t want to get the sea animal wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time tonight sometime designed a dolphin that was mistaken for a ghost or a holiday seahorse that looked more like a hotdog on a stick .
The boats ranged in size from small ones like Shep’s Market float to monstrous yacht-sized vessels. The flotilla had grown in such rapid popularity over the past five years that the float committee had to cap the number of boats that could enter. Otherwise, it would take five hours just to get the boats in the harbor for the judges to view them .
It was another complaint Evan dealt with during the week. Boat owners who received rejection letters for their boats showed up at City Hall ready to make a case to be entered in the water parade .
He watched as Shep put his boat in reverse and careened out of the marina. He left a puff of diesel in his wake. The old timer was on his way to join the rest of the parade. The boats lined up beyond the
point before they cruised into downtown .
Evan pulled on his jacket and slid the gloves from his pockets. It was cold on the water. He hoped Cami would have a good time tonight despite the cold. He looked at his watch, realizing he needed to pick her up. The had to board his boat in the next thirty minutes. He was riding on the head boat for the festivities .
It was a short walk to The Sweet Treat from the marina. Every place was a short walk in Harpers Point. He took the route around to the back of the shop and climbed the stairs to Cami’s second floor apartment. He knocked on the door .
“Hold on,” she called from the other side. “Almost ready. Sorry .”
They had seen each other during the week since the night Cami came over and decorated the tree. One morning he dropped off coffee and muffins from the bakery. Another day Cami had met him at Hurricanes for lunch. They had crossed paths at his grandmother’s house again .
But somehow this moment seemed different. It was unlike any of the other days during the week. It was unlike any other day in twelve years. This was a date. And he hadn’t been on one of those with Cami since they were teenagers. Since they were engaged. Since he lost her .
The door flung open and she stood in front of him. He felt the air squeezed from his lungs. She looked like a goddess. His goddess .
“Hi.”
She wore a long light blue wool coat with white gloves and a matching scarf. She held a hat in her hands and fastened it over her auburn hair, just covering her ears .
“Do you think I’ll be warm enough?” she asked .
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. How could he? She was stunning. There were still remnants of the girl he had fallen in love with, but he saw Cami with new eyes .
“Claudine packed extra blankets on the boat. I think you’ll be ok. Claudine tends to be a worrier if you haven’t noticed .”
“Claudine?”
He nodded. “We’re riding on the Francis Realty boat. She took care of the decorations. Wait until you see it.” The thing looked like a floating Christmas greenhouse. It was covered in holly, poinsettias, and mistletoe. Somewhere in there had to be lights, or else it wouldn’t show up on the water at night. He just hadn’t seen them .
“Oh. Wow.” Her eyes widened. “Then I’m sure it’s going to be the prize-winning float.” Claudine doesn’t do anything half-ass .
Evan chuckled. “How could it not be, with you on it ?”
God, she was even prettier when she blushed. “I meant because of the decorations .”
“I know exactly what you meant. But who cares about a boat when you’re this pretty?” He had to stop staring. He knew he was falling harder and faster than he should, and this was only the first date. If they didn’t have to board for the parade and they weren’t wearing layers of coats and scarves, he’d take her back inside her apartment and give her more orgasms than she could count. But not right now. He’d have to wait until after the flotilla .
He extended his hand to escort her down the stairs. Her fingers clutched around his .
“I think I’m a little nervous,” she admitted .
“Why?” They reached the bottom landing and headed toward the marina .
“It’s silly really. It’s nothing .”
She threaded her arm through the crook of his elbow, and her pulled her tightly to his side while they strolled to the boat .
“Tell me,” he urged. “If it’s not about a town ordinance to demand white lights for everyone, or to ban the use of holly over mistletoe at Christmas, I’m sure I won’t think it’s silly .”