“It’s the beginning of your exciting, super-concentrated summer,” Leif smiled. “And I strongly suggest we try the most summery things we can find on the menu.”
I absolutely adored the way he made everything light and fun.
After ordering peach daiquiris, we had a great debate while going through the menu, trying to determine which dishes contained more elements of summer, and why. We finally decided to share a Spanish seafood paella, with a spinach and cherry tomato salad.
After a few sips of my daiquiri, I grinned over at him. Leif had managed to pull our chairs closer together, so that he was right beside me.
“I honestly feel like I’m on vacation,” I said. “No creepy dark cloud. Sunshine and beach waves.”
“Vitamin D from the sun,” Leif added. “And...whatever vitamins are in peaches.”
He looked a bit hilarious with his huge hand wrapped around such a girly drink. Yet he was clearly enjoying it without shame. I liked that he didn’t give a damn what other people thought. It was refreshing.
He was so open, and ready to find the fun in anything. I could probably learn a lot from him.
As I licked the peachiness from my lips, I started to wonder. If I really was condensing summer into one month, would it be so terrible for me to have a summer fling? A boyfriend who might or might not last? Even if he wasn’t really my type?
I spent so much time thinking, wrapped up in my head. That’s what Janice always said. Maybe just this once I should go with my feelings.
Like the way I felt every time Leif touched me, or looked into my eyes. My thumb darted out to wipe off a few sugar granules that were on the edge of his lip, and he gently caught my thumb between his teeth.
For such a big, rough-looking guy to be so playful was wildly sexy. I couldn’t put a finger on why. All I knew was that I had to find a way to tell him I was actually interested.
And quickly, before he relegated me to the friend zone or something.
Chapter 4
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Leif
The more time I spent with Hayden, the more I was absolutely positive that she was the girl for me.
When I had seen her in the diner, she was beautiful, and seemed sweet, but thoughtful. Now that she didn’t feel that she was being watched, there was a lightness around her that completely captivated me.
It was as if I needed her to balance out my somewhat broody loner ways.
I deeply hated that Craig asshole for sucking the energy out of this lovely young woman. Crushing her spirit. Someday, I was going to make him pay.
But right now I had to focus all my attention on figuring Hayden out, and making her fall in love with me, fast.
I made sure that we only had one drink at dinner. I wanted her to relax a bit, but remember every detail of our evening together.
After finishing our meal, we walked arm in arm along the beach. Finally she was looking genuinely relaxed. “I always love how the air is different out here,” she said, smiling up at me.
The pink light of sunset was igniting her hair, and making her cheeks glow. “Look at you,” I said, tussling her hair slightly with my fingertips. “Once you get a bit more sun, you’ll be a little beach babe.”
Her laugh was positively adorable. So was her squeal, as one wave, stronger than the rest, came heading straight for her sandals. I scooped her into my arms, caveman style, not caring if my boots got a bit damp.
Hayden’s giggles were infectious as she pretended to smack my shoulder. Something shifted in her eyes as her palm made contact with my deltoids. She ran her hand down to my biceps, as if examining me.
“What is it?” I asked, setting her back on her feet on a dry patch of sand.
“Nothing.”
I cupped her face with my hands, leaning close. “Hayden, tell me, please. What are you thinking right now?”
There was a long pause. “I’ve always been nervous around really big men,” she said slowly. “But you’re so different.”