“I just like the idea of people who love each other enough to want to capture moments in time. I sometimes wonder if Bess and my parents don’t get tired of me taking pictures of them.”

  He smiled, hating when the server interrupted to bring their check. He tossed out his credit card, then looked around to see the restaurant was almost filled. He wanted more time with her—more time to get to know her.

  She had finished her beer, and her half burger was now boxed and ready to go, but it seemed she wasn’t ready for the date to end either. “So I know you have a brother. Do you have any other family?”

  “Just Andy and my dad. The three of us are close.” Praying she would leave his comments alone, he was pleased when she simply held his gaze, offered a slight smile, and looked up as the server placed his card back on the table.

  Once he pocketed the card, he escorted her back to his car. She was quieter, and he knew it was his fault. For some reason, he’d clammed up, unable to think of what to say about his family. Hoping he hadn’t ruined the date, he prodded, “So tell me about the wedding you’re going to photograph tomorrow.”

  “Oh, there’s nothing particularly interesting about it.”

  “I’m interested in anything to do with you.” The words came naturally, and he meant them. It was always when conversations turned toward his family that he felt ill at ease. Another thing he blamed on his absent mother.

  She turned toward him, and he could feel her penetrating gaze as though trying to decide whether he was telling the truth. Her lips finally curved. “It’s going to be an afternoon wedding at one of the small churches in the area, and then the reception will be right there in the church hall. The location makes it a lot simpler, although it doesn’t give me a lot of great backdrops. A graveyard surrounds two sides of the church, and I’ll have to figure out the best lighting to place the bride and groom for some pictures that won’t involve headstones behind them.”

  At that, Aaron barked out a laugh. “I had no idea what might go into wedding photos!”

  It didn’t take long to drive back to the bakery. As he parked, she turned to him and said, “Would you like to come up for a drink? I know that sounds like a pickup line, but I’d really just like to have more time to talk with you.”

  Her honesty was refreshing, and relief scored through him. It wasn’t the first time he’d been invited for drinks or had made the invitation himself. And it was always a euphemism for sex. But with Belinda, he accepted it at face value, knowing she meant what she said. “I’d love to. Getting to know you more is exactly what I’d like to do.”

  They entered the door by the bakery, and he was glad to see it was key-locked. Upstairs, there was a hall with two doors. She passed the first door on the left and unlocked the second.

  “Bess lives there,” she said, indicating the door next to hers.

  Entering, his gaze scanned the area quickly to find out more about the woman who captured his interest. The walls were painted the palest color of blue, and the lights were reflected as she flipped the switch on the wall, making the space seem larger. Her furniture was also in pale colors. The kitchen table to the right was filled with computer equipment.

  But what really snagged his gaze were the photographs on the walls. Gulls flying over the bay. Seaglass washed up on the sand. Sand runners racing in the surf. A sailboat in the Baytown Harbor. Freighters anchored in the bay, awaiting their turn to proceed to Baltimore. A black-and-white photograph of an old oysterman standing waist-deep in the water of the bay with his boat just behind him. Each photograph pulled him in. Having grown up on the Eastern Shore, he appreciated every picture, noting how she’d captured the subjects perfectly.

  He turned toward her, seeing her lips pulled in. She appeared to hold her breath as though awaiting his critique.

  “These are fucking fantastic,” he said.

  A breath escaped her lips, and her smile widened as her eyes brightened. “I’m glad you like them. They all mean something to me. I know I’m a good photographer, but it's always nerve-racking when someone sees your work for the first time.”

  Stepping closer, he placed his hands on her shoulders and bent slightly to hold her gaze. “You should never be nervous about anyone seeing your work, Belinda. It’s wonderful.”

  Her smile remained, but her gaze dropped to his lips. Her beautiful eyes snagged his attention, but he’d stared at her pink, plump lips all evening. Not wanting to misread the moment, he waited.

  Time passed slowly, but she moved closer, reaching up to place her hands on his waist. She tilted her head as he slid his arms from her shoulders to her back.

  He bent farther, stopping just before their lips met. While it seemed she was offering her mouth to him, he didn’t want to misread her cues. “I’d like to kiss you.”

  She smiled and nodded slowly. “I’d like to kiss you, too.”

  Without hesitation, he leaned closer and erased the space between them, sealing his mouth over hers. He didn’t know what he expected. As a younger man when he was into hookups, kissing was rare. In the past few years, when he dated and had exclusive relationships with girlfriends, kissing had often just led to sex. But now, all those thoughts blurred until they were nonexistent as she gently pressed her curves to him, and he received the gift eagerly. The kiss was hot but not wild. He made sure of that, holding back when he wanted to let go. She lifted on her toes, and his arms banded tightly to support her, keeping her mouth right where he wanted it.

  Time seemed to slow, holding itself in anticipation. He glided one hand upward to cup her jaw, angling their faces to more easily allow his tongue to slip inside her warmth without their noses bumping. He traced the contours of her cheek with the reverence of a sculptor admiring his muse, discovering her skin to be as soft as he imagined.

  Their breaths mingled, a prelude to what was building between them. The kiss deepened from a tentative exploration to a passion-filled declaration. His heartbeat quickened, a rare occurrence with just a kiss.

  When he finally distanced his lips from hers, she leaned forward with her eyes still closed, her mouth still reaching for his lips. He dragged in a raspy breath, and her eyes opened, the lust in them slowly dissipating as her chest also heaved with the effort of breathing.

  “Oh…” she whispered. Her eyes blinked, but no other words came forth.

  “I… really should go.” He realized how his statement sounded as her cheeks spotted with blush, and she settled her heels on the floor with a thump. “No, no,” he rushed. “I don’t want to go.”

  “I’m confused,” she said, her brow furrowing.

  “What I mean is that I’d love to stay. But I’m not going to. I want another date with you. I want to see you again. Get to know you. I… this isn’t just about… um…” Unused to what he was trying to say, he fumbled the words, trying to get them right.

  Her kiss-swollen lips curved upward slightly. “This isn’t just a hookup?”

  The words had formed a question, but he could hear the hope in them. Rubbing her cheek with his thumb, he shook his head. “No… it’s not a hookup. I’d really like to see you again.”

  She nodded slowly, and her eyes sparkled in the light as they stared at him. “Okay, Aaron. I’d like that, too.”

  “You have a wedding to shoot tomorrow. What about Sunday afternoon?”

  Her brows lifted. “So soon?”

  “I don’t want you to think I’m not interested.”

  The silent seconds that followed seemed to last forever. Her top teeth landed on her bottom lip in an effort to keep her lips from curving, but her beautiful smile shone through. “Sunday sounds good. I have no plans.”

  “Then I’ll pick you up at one. Dress warmly. I’ll take you out on the bay.”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh, I haven’t been out in so long!”

  Her blinding smile kicked him in the chest, and he battled to keep from shouting in excitement. Maintaining his composure, he bent and kissed her lightly. He nuzzled his nose alongside hers until his lips were at her ear. “Lock up behind me, and I’ll see you in just two days.”

  With that, he turned and walked out, afraid that if he didn’t put some distance between them, he would go back and continue kissing her all night. After jogging down the stairs and out into the chilly air, he breathed deeply. He had no idea what was happening between him and Belinda, but he was filled with a hope he hadn’t felt in a while.

  6

  Belinda walked up the steps to her apartment Saturday evening. The wedding she’d photographed had not been complicated or extensive. She had even gotten lucky with the sun being perfect on the side of the church with the stained glass windows in the background, and not one headstone marred the background of the shot.

  The reception had been fun, and the bride's parents had included a plate of food for her. Now, it was late, and she was ready for the day to end so she could concentrate on the man she continually saw in her mind. Aaron Bergstrom.

  As soon as her key slid into the keyhole of her front door, Bess’s door opened, and her sister popped out.

  “I thought you were going to text me when you were on your way home!”

  “Shit, I’m sorry. I always do that, don’t I?”

  “Yes, you do!” She lifted a brow. “So tell me, what was on your mind instead of your sister?” Belinda watched as Bess’s lips twitched before she burst into laughter.

  “How do you know anything was on my mind?”

  “If you tell me you haven’t been thinking about Aaron, I’ll call you a liar straight to your face.”

  Inclining her head to the side, she offered, “Come on in, Sis.” She and Bess often joked that they should have a door between their two apartments since they ran back and forth between each so often. Belinda walked back to her bedroom, desperate to get into comfy clothes.

  She jumped into the shower to quickly wash off, not surprised when Bess followed her into the bathroom and sat on the closed toilet seat so they could keep talking. “I admit I have been thinking about Aaron, but I feel rather stupid.”

  “Why?” Bess yelled over the shower water pounding over Belinda.

  “I’m thirty years old, for God's sake. Not only am I no longer in high school but I’m not even in my twenties! Feeling giddy over a guy just seems… oh, I don’t know… silly?”

  “I’m only two years younger than you, and I certainly don’t think it’s silly to feel excited when you meet someone you’re interested in. It’s not as though you don’t know anything about him. You knew him in high school!”

  “Well, that’s hardly a rousing endorsement! Twelve years is a long time, and neither of us is anything like we were back then.”

  “I just mean that you at least have some kind of history of growing up in the same place. It must give you a point of reference when you’re talking.”

  Belinda knew her sister never had any problem finding something to discuss with anyone, so she wondered why Bess's comment had such a wistful tone. Before she had a chance to ask, Bess continued her interrogation.

  “Have you decided what to wear tomorrow?”

  “Considering we’ll be out on the bay, I don’t think what I wear really matters as long as it’s jeans, big socks, boots, and my heavy coat to beat back the breeze.”

  Bess scrunched her nose and nodded. “Yes, but you can add a cute knit hat and a scarf.”

  Belinda had to laugh. Bess loved to accessorize, both with clothes and her apartment.

  Climbing out of the shower, she dried off, pulled on her pajamas, and then walked back into the living area with Bess in tow.

  “By the way, Mom called, and we were talking⁠—”

  “No, absolutely not!”

  Bess huffed but didn’t say anything.

  Belinda jumped into the silence. “You need to go visit Grandma. It’s my fault for not realizing there were five Thursdays in November this year and agreeing to do a photo shoot on Thanksgiving weekend. It wouldn’t be fair to the rest of you or Grandma for you not to make this trip.”

  Bess fiddled with the hem of her shirt and nodded. “I know you’re right, but I just hate for you to be alone on Thanksgiving Day.”

  “It’ll be fine. I won’t lie—I’ll miss everyone, but I’ll stay busy. I might even order a turkey dinner from one of the restaurants around here. Honestly, Bess, I’ll be fine.”

  The sisters shared a hug before Bess walked to the door. “I’ll let you get to bed early since I know you had a long day. I’m going to my place to see if I can work on my baklava recipe.”

  Belinda called out her goodnights and stuck her head out the door until her sister was safely inside, then closed and locked her door. Deciding to read in bed, she flipped out her lights. As she walked into the bedroom, she thought about their conversation. It was going to suck to be alone for Thanksgiving, but she had a loving family, and even if she couldn’t be with them, she knew she was lucky.

  Once in bed, she turned her mind away from the upcoming holiday to the next day, when she would be out on another date with Aaron. And with that, she fell asleep with sweet dreams dancing in her head.

  Belinda leaned her head back and closed her eyes, letting the kiss of sunlight touch her upturned cheeks and paint an orange glow over her closed eyelids. The breeze over the Chesapeake Bay sent her hair whipping over her shoulders. She’d heeded Bess’s advice and worn a cute powder-blue knit cap so that at least her hair didn’t tangle in the wind. And the matching scarf certainly kept her neck warm.

  Lowering her chin, she grinned at Aaron at the boat's wheel. His ease of steering as they bounced along the gentle waves spoke of familiarity and love of the water.

  “You’re not too cold, are you?” His voice carried over the sound of the engine and the waves. His gaze was filled with concern.

  She shook her head and smiled, her spirit lifted by the beauty of the day and the company she was with. “Nope! This is fabulous.”

  He slowed the boat and expertly maneuvered into an inlet. When they’d left, he had the boat docked at the Baytown Harbor, but now he allowed it to rest near a wooden dock. Tying it off, he turned and offered her a hand.

  She looked with curiosity at the cooler setting on the private pier, along with several blankets. He guided her to the wooden ladder and stood behind her with his hands on her hips as she climbed upward. He quickly followed.

  “What on earth is this?” Her intrigue blossomed into excitement.

  “My next surprise,” he said, winking. He spread one of the blankets that was lying on the dock.

  When invited to sit, she acquiesced and her curiosity gained strength. Aaron sat next to her and draped the other blanket across their laps. He leaned over to open the ice chest and pulled out a bottle of wine and a plastic-wrapped charcuterie board.

  “Oh my!” she exclaimed, reaching out to assist. There were plastic wineglasses, plastic plates, and napkins.

  He placed the food on the top of the closed ice chest, and she pulled the wrapping off as he opened the wine and filled their glasses.

  “This is crazy sweet!” Earlier, her cheeks had felt the sting of the breeze but now ached from her wide smile. “You are full of surprises, Aaron!”

  He grinned and held his wineglass out toward her. She tapped hers against his and tilted her head as she waited.

  “Here’s to a beautiful woman and a fun, sunshine-filled day, complete with a boat ride over the bay.”

  “Hear, hear,” she agreed, then sipped the wine. “Oh, it’s sweet. My favorite.” Narrowing her eyes, she asked, “How did you know?”

  “I may have stopped by the bakery yesterday to get the desserts that are at the bottom of the chest, but I also interrogated your sister about your wine preferences.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Bess didn’t say anything last night when I got in!”

  “I could tell the two of you are close, much like Andy and me, so I swore her to secrecy.”

  Belinda’s heart melted at the picnic he’d planned. She looked behind them, her brow lowering again. “Whose dock are we at?”

  “This is behind my brother’s house. He and Ivy won’t be home today, so I asked if I could plan this. I’m afraid I’m just in an apartment now, hoping to buy a house in the next year or so.”

  “Well, I’m so impressed,” she said, smiling. “And really touched. This is lovely.”

  “Not as lovely as you.”

  “Are you trying to sweet-talk me?” she asked, popping a cheese cube into her mouth.

  “Is it working?”

  Laughing, she nodded. “Oh, yeah. Huge bonus points for the boat ride, the picnic, and then finding out my favorite wine. And the extra credit goes to buying from my sister’s shop!”

  “Hell, I’m racking up the points.” He grinned.

  She looked at him as he sat with a casual air, his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. His eyes were on her, and she was captivated. The wind had tossed the longer hair on top, giving him a devil-may-care appearance. It was only their second date, but she wanted more. More of his smoldering gazes and even hotter kisses.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  Her eyes widened. “Um… how good the food is.”

  “Liar.”

  Dropping her jaw, she affected an offended expression and huffed with exaggeration.

  He leaned forward, set his almost empty plate on the top of the cooler, and leaned even deeper toward her. “From what I’ve seen, you’re as honest as they come, Belinda. So don’t start lying now.”

  She drained the wine from her glass and swiped her tongue over her bottom lip to catch an errant drop. “Okay. I was thinking that this date has been so much fun. The picnic was such a surprise and a special touch to the already perfect date. And that I'd like it not to be our last date.”

  “Good… ’cause I don’t want it to be our last date either.” His intense gaze never left her face. “What else?”

  “I was thinking that you’re really good-looking.”

  His smile gave him an almost predatory look, and he leaned closer. “And?”