Page 33 of Kayak Girl

I smiled back at her, a genuine, unguarded smile. Everything in me wanted to bridge the gap between us with a simple touch. But I held back, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans. I didn’t want to overwhelm her, to rush her. So instead, I tipped my head toward Scoops, our next destination, and Elle started walking beside me.

“I don’t believe you,” I said.

Elle looked aghast.

I chuckled. “Don’t look so stressed, I’m only teasing you. I mean, I don’t believe that you were sad about nothing this morning. I know Brenda, and she doesn’t offer free makeup to just anyone. What really upset you? I hope it wasn’t something I did.”

Elle’s face morphed from terrified to sad, and then she fixed a smile on her face.

What was this girl hiding?

“No, it’s nothing you did. I’m just struggling to accept certain responsibilities in my life and Brenda hit me with some hard truths.”

“Ooh, I’ve been on the other side of one of her talks before. She somehow cuts right to the bone in no time at all.”

Elle grabbed my arm and pulled us to a stop and turned her emerald eyes on me. She searched my face to see if I was being genuine. I let her see whatever she was looking for.

“Exactly, it’s a talent for sure,” she said. “Jokes aside, I’m grateful for her input.”

Elle shifted to face forward again, but before she could drop her hands, I covered them with my free hand. I liked her holding onto me. Elle wiggled next to me for a second but didn’t remove her hands. My arm was on fire where she touched it, and I loved the feeling. Yup, definitely potential to get burned.

We walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence. The longer we walked, the more she leaned on me. I could see she had a lot on her mind, so I let her have the space. I was just content to have her close.

Scoops was quiet for a Sunday night, likely because of the bad weather. But it meant we could claim a corner table out of the way.

Elle and I settled into our seats, but there was a tension in her that was hard to miss. She fiddled with the edge of the menu, her gaze darting around the room, never quite settling. I leaned back, trying to read her, to figure out what was going on behind those deep, thoughtful eyes.

“You know, if we’re going to take over the world,” I started, trying to break the ice with a spot of humor, “we actually need to talk, right?”

Elle let out a small, nervous laugh, and it was like a crack in a dam, a hint of the warmth hiding underneath. “Ha-ha. I’m just nervous,” she admitted, still not meeting my eyes.

“Why?” I asked, curious. “If it’s because this feels like a date, don’t worry. Remember, it’s not. This is just your standard, run-of-the-mill world domination planning session.”

She finally looked at me. “There’s stuff you don’t know about me, and it’s stressing me out.”

I nodded, trying to reassure her. “And there’s stuff you don’t know about me. And that’s okay. We don’t have to spill all our secrets on what is definitely not our first date.” I gave her a playful, conspiratorial wink. “I want you to be comfortable. Let’s just get to know each other better. No pressure. Sound good?”

As I spoke, I saw a change in her. The edges of her lips curled into a small smile, the first genuine one I’d seen since we sat down, and her shoulders relaxed. It felt like we’d stepped over an invisible barrier.

“Shall we?” I rose from my seat with a smile, gesturing toward the front of the shop. “I think we have to place our orders at the counter.” I extended my hand toward her. Elle met my gaze, and without a word, she placed her hand in mine. A wave of reassurance flowed through me as she held on and didn’t let go.

We placed our orders and moved back to our cozy corner booth. In no time, two servings of ice cream graced our table, each scoop a vivid burst of color and flavor.

“Mmm, this cherry is amazing,” I remarked, savoring the tangy sweetness. “It’s like summer in a bowl.”

Elle cast me a look that was part playful, part daring. She leaned over and stole a spoonful from my bowl. “I should have chosen cherry,” she said, her voice tinged with regret. “I haven’t had cherries this season yet. They are my favorite.”

I watched her, amused, and utterly captivated, secretly delighting in her sharing my food. “Wanna trade?” I asked.

Elle blushed, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue. “No, my fudge is pretty spectacular too, but I won’t guarantee that your bowl is safe from further invasions.”

I leaned back, my heart taking an unexpected leap. “Invade away. I won’t stop you,” I said, realizing I meant more than just the ice cream. I wanted Elle to invade every aspect of my life.

Elle just giggled and shook her head. “On another note, Andy mentioned he finished working on my van faster than expected. He’s going to deliver it to the campgrounds on Thursday morning. I can’t wait to be reunited with her.”

A grin spread across my face as I thought about Elle’s cherished van. “I’ve missed Mabel too. I’d love to see the inside. It’s such a unique van.”

Her eyes lit up with excitement. “Absolutely! It’s been a labor of love, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Brenda’s words really got to me, you know? Owning a big beauty like Mabel demands hard work, but I’m learning to appreciate the joys that come with that responsibility.”

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