I get out and go around to open Eva’s door. I hold my hand to her, despite knowing she’ll probably just ignore it as she did when I drove her home from the florist. But to my surprise, she places her palm into mine as she straightens.
The thrills shooting into my chest are so pleasant, I don’t want the feeling to stop. Instead of releasing her, I slam the door with my free hand which causes the awkward gesture of having to cross my arm against our intertwined fingers.
Eva tilts her head to the side. “It might’ve been easier with your other hand.”
“No, no. That one is occupied right now.”
Her cheeks blush.
I decide to profit from her moment of hesitation and drag her with me toward the entrance.
We walk there hand in hand, and I bathe in the glow that spreads through me from her touch. I know I’m not supposed to be getting feelings for Eva, but as long as they’re just these delightful physical reactions, I don’t see a problem with it.
At the entrance door, Eva pulls her hand from my grip. I’m not sure if she’s fed up with us being this intimate or just puzzled by it. A bit like I am. Or perhaps she wants to use both of her hands to push the door ajar.
A skinny waitress walks us to a table on a terrace with a superb view of the lake.
We choose their extra-creamy cappuccinos following my brother’s advice. After all, Murphy has redeemed himself in my eyes—or, rather, I should never have doubted his good intentions in the first place.
After taking our order, the waitress doesn’t leave. Instead, she studies me as if trying to decide whether we’ve already met somewhere. “Are you, by any chance, Nathan Montgregor?”
“Yes, I am. Why do you ask?” I answer slowly, trying to figure out how she knows my name. I’m not a tabloid figure with scandalous affairs and I swear that I’ve never had anything to do with this redhead in my entire life.
Eva gives me with a questioning glance, probably wondering the same thing.
The waitress scratches her bony chin. “Your brother called a few minutes ago and asked me to give you a message.”
Murphy? Ah, my brother just can’t keep his meddling under control. “Did he now? And what was his message?” I inquire, half-curious, half-annoyed.
The waitress points at the lake. “He suggested that, while you wait on your order, you should go and do a little paddling in the lake. Our coffeehouse has various rowboats that are free of charge to our guests.” She throws a conspiratorial glance at Eva. “It’s madly romantic out there, I assure you.”
Eva’s face pales. “How long do you usually take to prepare two cappuccinos?” she inquires in a small voice.
The waitress licks her lips and their contours, outlined with a bright-pink pencil, blur somewhat. “Five minutes, give or take…”
Eva’s expression relaxes. “Then there is really no time for us to—”
“But…” The waitress winks. “I can tell the kitchen to hold your order until you’re back. No worries. Floating on the waves with a guy…especially with such a handsome one like your companion? If I were you, I wouldn’t miss out on this chance.”
I throw a slanted glance at the vivid sapphire-hued water. The spring breeze creates mesmerizing ripples that break the crystalline quality in such an organized manner that I have to assume an intelligent mind must be behind its sheer beauty.
Perhaps Murphy’s reasoning isn’t bad? Sitting in this cozy terrace is nice, but drifting on the lake in a small boat where my body and Eva’s are bound to come closer would be a whole other ballgame. It could be the perfect setting for us to get more comfortable with each other.
I put my hand on Eva’s fingers, resting on the table. “I think it’s a marvelous idea. Let’s go and try it.”
Her eyes dart to me. “But…it’s…” She furrows her brows. “Don’t you want to follow your plan for us? Get a coffee?”
Ah, she must be testing me. “We can do that later. At this moment, I’d rather be spontaneous.” I grin. “I didn’t know there was a possibility to navigate on the lake, but now that I do, I say we should go for it. You know, carpe diem and all.”
Eva gapes as if she’s trying to evaluate whether I’m serious. Then her lips slowly curl up. “Okay, fine. If you like, I’m game.”
“Fabulous!” The waitress beams at us. “Take your time in the boat. Your drinks will only be served once you’re back.“
Chapter 15
(Eva)
My flats glide along the graveled lake path with an ease I’m not feeling. I try to focus my attention on the violets and daffodils lining our way, but the accusing voice in my head doesn’t want to let me off the hook.
You shouldn’t have agreed to this. Why did you?
One side-glance at Nathan’s radiant face, however, is enough to answer this question.
He saunters beside me with a large smile that lifts his prominent cheekbones even higher than usual. His eyes are fixed on the small rental station by the water, as if he can’t wait for us to get there and into one of the boats.
My heart gives a beat out of rhythm, as if to hammer this puzzling truth home.
Nathan was so proud of his spontaneous offer, I couldn’t shatter his enthusiasm by admitting that I can’t swim. Plus, I would have felt embarrassed saying it out loud.
I spot a sparrow in the hedgerow. It tilts its tiny head toward me and chirps loudly. It seems to be singing, “Don’t worry, Eva.”
Maybe the bird is right? It’s not like I’ve never been in a rowboat. And I’ve never tipped overboard.
Right, but I’ve never been on one with Nathan. And the way his closeness makes me act out could lead to serious consequences if I don’t watch myself. Could
