Page 23 of The Perfect Distraction

Chapter Eight

The air was filled with music, and every street offered something different: country, jazz, pop, and rock, and Beth wanted to experience it all. They strolled along, not talking much unless it was about the music, and simply enjoyed the lively atmosphere. After an hour or so, they wandered into an ice cream shop, where they each bought a cone. Since the place was packed, they took their ice cream to go and ate it while they walked down to the marina.

Finding a bench near the water, they sat down and enjoyed their dessert along with many other families and couples who were doing the same.

“Too bad Joey isn’t here,” Beth said, watching some kids kicking a soccer ball around.

“He would love it, but I’m enjoying my adult time,” he said matter-of-factly.

Shifting to face him, they locked eyes, and her breath caught. Is “adult time” code for something else? But she quickly shoved the thought aside. They’d been having a nice time, and she wasn’t going to ruin it by worrying.

“Me too,” she said with a smile.

As they were eating their ice cream, she noticed that a large crowd had gathered, and then she realized why.

“They’re here to watch the sunset,” Colton said, confirming her suspicion.

They stayed and watched the sun sink over the harbor. The sky lit up with orange, red, and pink. Afterward, they stood up to leave, but instead of following the throngs, Colton took her hand and led her in the opposite direction.

Just like when he’d placed his hand on her back earlier, she felt an initial jolt, but then she relaxed into it, enjoying the feel of her hand engulfed in his. Surprisingly, neither of them let go until they reached her front porch. She dug in her purse for the house key while he stood behind her and waited. Naturally, the key had shifted to the very bottom of her purse, and once she’d retrieved it, she said, “I’ve got it. You don’t have to wait anymore.”

But Colton didn’t budge. “I want to make sure you get in okay.”

She unlocked the door, and then came that awkward end-of-a-date moment where they stood and stared at each other. She hadn’t experienced this in a long time, but it all came flooding back to her. What do you do? Do you shake hands? No, too formal. Do you wait for the guy to kiss you? Why wait? Women should be able to take the lead. Do you invite him in for coffee? Will he think coffee means sex? The list went on and on.

“I had a good time,” Colton said, breaking into her runaway thoughts.

“Me too.”

“We should do it again sometime.”

“Yes, we should.”

“Well. I guess I should let you go. It’s almost your bedtime.”

She laughed. “It’s not that late.”

“No, it isn’t.”

Colton looked down at his feet for a moment, and she jiggled the key in her hand.

Now what?

“What are you doing this weekend?” he asked.

Awkward moment number two. Do you pretend like you’re busy so you don’t sound too eager? Or are you honest, and admit that you have no plans whatsoever? Of course, option three works too—wait until he fills in the gap.

“Since Joey’s gone, I’ll have some free time, and if you’re not busy, maybe we could do something.”

She wasn’t good at playing games. She’d had a great time tonight, and she wanted to see him again. “Sure.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes,” she said with a laugh. They were like the blind leading the blind.

Colton looked relieved, and then, before she even saw it coming, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. It was a fleeting kiss, soft and gentle, and she almost touched her cheek to savor the feeling.

“I’ll call you,” he said, and with that, he turned and walked across the driveway while she stood there and watched him go.