Accidental Shield

She readily agrees. Val’s easy, happy trust just makes my stomach churn.

It can’t be helped.

There’s another reason I don’t want her popping up at my side. The shrimp truck owner knows me well because Bryce and I eat here regularly every time we’re on the North Shore.

Kade Mahoe knows damn well I’m not a married man.

He shouts through the serving window as soon as he sees me approaching. His son, Kael, runs around from the backside of the truck.

“Hey, Mr. Calum! Is Bryce with you today?” Kael asks, already running toward my truck.

“No.” I step out of line quickly to stop him. “Bryce is with his grandma for a few days.”

Disappointment fills his face.

He sighs before asking, “Then…who’s in your truck? I see somebody.”

“Just a friend,” I say, wishing like hell that were true.

Kael nods and flashes a big understanding grin, causing his dark hair to flap down in his eyes. He’s a good kid. Strong and kind and dark brown from helping his old man in the sun all the time.

“He’ll be back soon. I’ll bring him up here when I can,” I tell him, trying not to dwell on how long that might be with this Valerie situation.

He pushes his hair aside and nods.

“I wanted to show him the turtle eggs I found over on the beach.” His brown eyes brighten. “Do you want to see them?”

Normally, I would, but today, I shake my head. “Can’t right now, sorry. Maybe another time. Just be sure you’re keeping your distance.”

“Oh, yeah. Wouldn’t dream of disturbing them,” he says. “Can’t wait to see if they hatch!”

“What can I get for you, Flint?” Kade shouts. “The usual?”

“Yeah, two plates today,” I answer. Val said she didn’t care what kind of shrimp I get her, just as long as I don’t forget the dessert. “Give me a cheesecake on a stick, too, please.”

Kael walks with me to the window, still talking a mile a minute about his turtle eggs. Kade and I share a few words, mostly concerning how long it’s been since I ate his awesome shrimp.

The only sane answer is too long.

He’s got the meal assembled in a flash and packaged up by the time I’m done paying for it.

Still at my side, Kael starts walking back to my truck with me. I try to say bye before reaching the vehicle, but he runs ahead to open the door.

Shit. I arrive before he has a chance to say anything to Val, but not before she speaks.

“Aloha!” she says.

“Aloha,” Kael replies, studying her.

“Thanks, Kael,” I say. “We’ll take it from here. See you next time.”

“Kael,” she says. “I’m Valerie.”

Damn it.

Reacting fast, I say to Kael, “Valerie runs some of the turtle tours around these parts.”

Kael nods his head and smiles at her. “Awesome! My family loves your tours, Valerie. You bring lots of business to our truck. Wildlife tours always eat here.”

“I’m glad,” she says.

I nudge Kael out of the way gently and climb into the driver’s seat, passing the food to Val. “Take care, Kael. Aloha.”

“Aloha, Flint and Valerie.”

He runs off and I close the door. She takes the food and sets it on the floor near her feet.

“You might want to pull that cheesecake out of the bag,” I tell her, backing up the pickup. “Might start melting.”

“Dessert first? Now you’re speaking my language.” Smiling, she leans down to open the bag. “I’ll eat it now so it doesn’t make a mess. Do you want yours, too?”

“Didn’t get one. I’m not big on sweets.”

“Whaaaaat?” She looks at me like I’ve sprouted a second head, pulling out the cheesecake on a stick, wrapped in wax paper. “How can you resist something this good? It’s downright sinful.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it.”

She blinks in disbelief. “Have you never had one?”

I shake my head. “No, babe. Not quite my…”

I’m trailing off as she takes a bite and closes her eyes like she’s just tasted the best thing in the universe. Just like she did this morning with the malasadas.

Once she swallows, she says, “No way. You’re not taking my word for it. Here.”

Leaning over, she holds the dessert near my mouth. I try to squirm away, but she’s pretty insistent.

“C’mon. Open up. You have to try some.”

“Shit, Val, I’m driving. You’ll make a mess.”

“I’ll hold, you bite. Simple, Flint.” She bumps the cold chocolate against my lips. “Just one itty-bitty bite for me? Come onnn.”

Honestly, the dessert isn’t half as enticing as hearing her beg.

Her eyes are shining, and there’s a full, impish grin on her lips.

“One bite, Flint. Good stuff. You know you want to.”

Goddamn, this girl.

There are things I want to do with her, all right, but they don’t involve cheesecake. I’m not that big a freak.

Things I shouldn’t even be thinking.

Snarling, I give in and chomp off a piece. It’s cold, and sweet, and yeah, it’s good.