This time a chuckle sneaks out, as he answers, “I would never dream of doing such a thing, Ms. McDaniels.”
“Mhmm. Turn left at the stop sign, the parking lot is on the right.”
Alek pulls into a parking space and turns off the engine. Getting out of the car, he opens my door and then retrieves our lunches from the backseat. Alek entwines his fingers with mine as we walk hand in hand into the park.
We walk along an azalea-lined path, live oaks and Spanish moss creating a canopy overhead, shielding us from the midday sun. The pathway ends at a clearing, lush green grass stretching out to the edge of the Atlantic.
Alek stops, taking in the view before us, “This is incredible.” Giving my hand a squeeze, he draws my attention back to him, “I can see why you love this place so much.”
I give him a soft smile and answer him honestly, “The beauty is only part of the reason it’s my favorite.”
His thumb skates back and forth over the back of my hand, “Maybe you can tell me the other reasons over lunch?”
“I can do that.” I give his hand a tug, “Come on, I know the perfect spot for us to eat our lunch.”
We settle onto the thick carpet of green grass, beneath the shade of a maple tree just beyond the bank where the Atlantic brushes the coast. Alek opens the bag holding our lunch and hands a sandwich to me followed by a bottle of water. Keeping the same for himself, we unwrap our sandwiches in silence and begin eating as a soft breeze licks at our skin.
After a few minutes, Alek breaks the silence, “This is the most tranquil place I’ve ever been. How long have you been coming here?”
“Since I was a teenager. I used to cut through here on my way home from school or on my way to the flower shop.” She smiles a far off look in her eye, “More often than not, I’d be late getting there because I found this place to be so captivating. So whenever I needed to go somewhere to think, this is where I’d come.”
“It must have been hard on you, not having your mom around.”
I shrug, “At times. I never doubted I was loved though, my grandmother made sure of that.” I shake my head, “Enough about me, tell me the favorite place you’ve travelled to.”
He takes a drink of his water before answering, “Hmm, that would be Austin. Although, Charleston is shaping up to take over the top spot.”
I look down as I feel my cheeks heat, when I look back up Alek is watching me intently. His hand reaches out and cups my cheek as he leans in and lightly brushes his lips across mine. “I’ve wanted to do that since I picked you up today.”
“Me too,” I admit shyly.
Alek stands, gathers our trash and finds the nearest trash can. When he returns, he offers me his hand, “Let’s take a walk.” I place my hand in his and he helps me to my feet before he entwines our fingers together.
I look down at our joined hands and smile, “I’d love to.”
We walk along the path near the water, the sun dancing off the wave turning the blue water a reflective silver against the shoreline.
We stop walking to take in the mesmerizing view when I feel Alek’s gaze on me. I turn and smile shyly, not used to the attention I’ve recently acquired.
“Tell me Rose, how is it that such a beautiful woman has remained single?”
My spine stiffens at his question, unsure if I’m ready to share my past with him, but also knowing that I should. I take a deep breath and release it slowly as I form my answer.
“I haven’t always been,” I reply cautiously. “I was married.” Alek stops walking, catching my attention, “My divorce has been finalized for almost a year.”
“Rose, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
I shake my head, “It’s okay. I know you didn’t”
We walk over to a bench near the water, Alek waiting until I sit before he follows. Taking my hand in his, he says, “Rose, we don’t have to talk about this.”
I smile at his consideration of my feelings. That’s something that Todd never did. “No, I want to tell you.” I look down at our joined hands, his thumb caressing my skin. “I met Todd when I was working in the flower shop. It was late spring and he came in to order flowers for his Mom’s birthday.” I shrug nonchalantly, “By the time he left, he had my phone number. We dated for almost a year, when he proposed. The first part of our marriage was great. He was loving, thoughtful, and attentive. When my grandmother fell ill, he was supportive of me spending time with her. It wasn’t until she passed that things took a turn. Once I took over the business and started working long hours, he became jealous and possessive, accusing me of affairs I wasn’t having, only to find out he was the one cheating on me.”
I blow out a cleansing breath, relieved that it is all out in the open. “It was all too much, so I filed for divorce, moved into my grandparent’s house, the house I grew up in, and here I am.”
Alek scoots closer to me, capturing my hands in both of his, “Rose, I am so sorry you had to go through that.”
I give a soft smile and shrug, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right.”
Alek tilts my chin up so that I’m looking into his eyes, “If that’s true, then you Rose McDaniels, are the strongest person I know.”
My heart skips a beat as I watch Alek close the distance between us, my eyes flutter closed as our mouths connect in the softest, most sensual kiss I’ve ever experienced. Alek’s hand cradles my face as he deepens the kiss. When the moment ends, Alek rests his forehead against mine. “Thank
