“Anytime you need a partner to do something, you can call us.” He kissed my cheek.
My heart tugged toward him. “You can’t make a promise that you’ll be there for me when I need you.”
“No, but I can promise to answer your call, do things with you, to spend time with you, to do all of the important and mundane things with you whenever I can.”
I shook my head to clear the sweet words from my head. “We’ve only just met.”
“Hopefully, it’s the first of many days. I told you I’m interested in you and nothing you’ve shown me so far has scared me off.”
My heart clenched that he was so confident he liked what he saw. I turned to see his face, his eyes squinted against the sun as he looked over my head.
I hadn’t told him everything but I’d told him more than anyone else. He knew I had faults, insecurities, that I wasn’t perfect. He was here despite that or because he liked those things he’d learned.
He looked down at me, squeezing my hip. “I like you, Avery Arrington. Give me a chance before you run, okay?”
I elbowed him lightly. “Who says I’m going to run?”
He placed both hands on the railing on either side of me, caging me in, as he whispered over the shell of my ear, “You have runner written all over you.”
I turned my head slightly, my heart pounding, I kissed his cheek, making an assurance I’d never made before. “I promise I won’t run.”
He pulled back slightly so we were looking at each other. “You’ll tell me if you start to have second thoughts?”
I swallowed, worried I’d made a mistake in making promises. “Of course.”
The loud horn sounded, startling me, and signaling our departure. There were only a few people on the top deck with us waving to those who watched from the shore.
“Want to sit?” Griffin asked. “I think Declan will want to stand at the railing the whole time.”
Declan was waving to those on the dock.
“Sure.” I mourned the loss of his heat, his arms around me as soon as he moved to the seats. Griffin placed an arm behind me, resting on the seat back. I leaned into him, giving in to weakness, reveling in his scent and his warmth. If this was all I’d get, I’d enjoy every moment.
We listened to the guide give information about the Naval Academy. We had an impressive view of it from the water.
When the tour guide turned back to the harbor, Declan sat next to us chatting about what he’d learned and everything he’d seen.
I was content as Declan’s voice washed over me, enjoying the rumble of Griffin’s chest as he responded to him. When the boat finally docked and we disembarked, Griffin asked, “What did you want to do next?”
“I don’t have anything planned.” I was excited to spend more time with them.
Griffin’s shoulders were relaxed, his eyes warm on mine. “Let’s walk around, see what we see, grab some lunch?”
I smiled up at him. “Sounds perfect.”
“Can we get ice cream and fudge too?” Declan turned to ask Griffin.
“After lunch.”
“Fine,” Declan said.
I was impressed Declan respected Griffin, he wasn’t indulging him as his uncle but acting as his parent.
Griffin pointed to a narrow part of the harbor where boats were docked along the sides. “In the evening there’s a long line of boats that come down here to turn around. They basically do that to show off their boats. Some are decorated with lights.”
I scrunched my nose. “Really? I usually only come down this way at lunch or on the weekends. I assumed the boats docked, so they could eat at the restaurants.”
“Some do but there’s a parade of boats especially on Friday and Saturday nights. They call this little strip of water, Ego Alley.”
“Huh. I’ll have to check it out sometime.” It was one more thing I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing alone at night.
“One night I’ll get a sitter and bring you down here.”
His easy promises to spend more time with me, easing the broken pieces inside of me. “I’d like that.”
Declan ran a little ahead, peering into each window, commenting on what he saw. Griffin lightly squeezed my hand each time, exchanging a knowing smile with me. Each time he did that it was like he was squeezing my heart.
“There are so many ice cream and fudge shops here,” I said.
“Too many, if you ask me, but Annapolis gets a lot of visitors.”
“I love the quiet side streets.”
“Me too. Want to take the road less traveled today?” He gestured down a narrow side street, quiet compared to the clusters of people meandering around the main streets.
“Sure.” Since I’d moved here, I’d walked every street, checking out each shop off of Main Street. I’d even visited St. John’s College’s Library taking in the musty smell of old books. I loved everything about my new town, the anonymity, the historical sites, the small bed and breakfasts, the historical inns, the older homes. It felt like home.
The street climbed steadily uphill until we reached the first traffic circle where the State House was located.
“We can get lunch and eat on State Circle.” Griffin gestured at the park in front of the State House.
“Finally! I’m starving!” Declan said.
I was glad he was having a good time. He didn’t seem bothered by me being with Griffin but then again, Griffin wasn’t his father. I wasn’t sure if it would be different if Julian was alive and dating.
“There’s a baked potato place on the corner that’s good. Do you like baked potatoes?” I asked Declan, wanting to include him in the decision.
Declan’s forehead scrunched up.
“These have chips in them,” I added to entice him.
“Really? Chips?”
“Yup. Tortilla chips, salsa, sour cream. I promise they’re really good.”
“I love chips and salsa,” Declan said.
“I know the place,” Griffin said.
We walked around the circle, Griffin holding the door for us to the restaurant. After ordering our baked potatoes piled high with sour cream, tortilla chips, and peppers, we took our bags across the street, sitting on a bench.
I unwrapped mine, letting the steam rise, before taking my first bite. “These are so good. I love the flavored sour cream.”
“Do you have plans tonight?” Griffin asked.
“No, actually.” I figured I’d spend the evening reading in the bathtub or in bed.
“Why don’t you come over? We can spend more time together.”
“Are you sure?” I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. I glanced at Declan who’d set his lunch aside to check out the cannons at the top of the hill by the State House.
“I want to spend more time with you, any way I can get it.”
My heart raced at his words. “Okay.”
“Declan’s going to his friend’s house, so we’ll have some time alone together.” His attention was on his potato, but heat coiled in my belly at his words time alone together.
Was I ready for that? Or had he meant we’d snuggle on the couch and watch a movie? Was I ready for more with Griffin, more kissing, more touching, his lips on my neck, his breath over my skin. Once we were physical, it would be harder to keep my distance. It could complicate the legal work I was doing for him.