Page 18 of By Any Beans Necessary

Michelle slipped inside, and Jeff watched through the window as she handed the roses to Emily. A few minutes later, she reappeared, wrapping a scarf around her neck after slipping into her coat.

"Ready for our waterfront stroll?" he asked as she closed the shop door behind her.

"Lead the way," she said, gesturing with a sweep of her arm.

They walked side by side, the hum of the town fading behind them, replaced by the lapping of waves and the cry of birds by the river. Their shadows stretched long on the pavement, two figures melding into one.

"Nice turnout today," Michelle commented, pointing to the people passing through one of the busiest areas of town.

"Always is," Jeff agreed, though his gaze lingered not on the other people but on her profile and the way the fading light kissed her peach skin.

"Your test...tell me everything," she urged, her hazel eyes alight with curiosity.

"Ah, well, Winston was a champ. You know, for a dog with an attitude," he joked, his chest still puffed with pride.

They laughed together, their footsteps in sync, creating a rhythm that felt like the beginning of something new, something good.

"Seriously, though, couldn't have done it without him. Or you," Jeff added, his voice softer now, earnest.

"Me?" Michelle feigned surprise, her hand brushing his arm fleetingly.

"Your coffee fuels miracles," he quipped, bumping her shoulder gently.

"Is that so? Guess I'll have to keep you supplied then," she teased back.

"Please do," he said, a promise in his tone.

"Deal."

The waterfront opened up before them, a canvas of purples and oranges as the sun dipped low. A gentle breeze carried the scent of winter, and for a moment, they stood there, side by side, letting the world and its colors wash over them.

His heart pounded in his chest, the moment stretched out between them like a taut string. But then, she turned to face him, her hazel eyes sparkling under the fading sunlight. She looked up at him, her lips slightly parted, and he couldn't resist anymore. He leaned in, his heart hammering against his ribs, and gently pressed his lips against hers. It was a soft, fleeting kiss, the kind that left him yearning for more.

When they pulled away, they both stood there, breathless, their cheeks flushed. Michelle's hand was still on his arm, and she gave it a gentle squeeze, her fingers lingering on his skin. "I'm glad I could help," she whispered.

Jeff smiled, his heart swelling with affection. "Me too," he said, his voice husky with emotion. He took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers, and they walked along the waterfront, their shadows dancing on the pavement.

A few minutes later, they entered Walter's Seafood Restaurant. The clink of glasses and the murmur of conversations enveloped them as they sat at a corner table, menus in hand. A weathered wooden sign above the bar proclaimed "Today's Catch" in looping script. Jeff glanced over it, his stomach rumbling.

"Can't go wrong with the chowder here. It's famous for a reason," Michelle pointed out, tapping the menu.

"Lead with your best shot, right?" Jeff smirked, closing his eyes briefly to inhale the rich scent of seafood simmering somewhere in the back.

"Two chowders," she told the waiter with a wink. "And we'll both have a lobster roll. Can't beat the imported Maine lobster."

"Crab cakes, too?" Jeff suggested, remembering her offhand comment last week about her love for them.

"Spot on," she said, her smile reaching her eyes.

Dinner was a dance of shared stories and laughter. Jeff found himself speaking more freely than usual, enticed by Michelle's easy charm. Her laugh was musical, a sound he wanted on repeat.

"Your turn, spill," she said, dabbing her lips with a napkin after demolishing her crab cakes. "What's your biggest blunder nobody knows about."

"Uh, okay. Once, I tried to bake cookies and set off every fire alarm in the building." He cringed at the memory, but it only made her giggle.

"Hero K9 handler scores zilch in the kitchen," she teased.

"Something like that," he admitted, grinning despite himself. "Which is why I'm glad I have you. I might never drink coffee or eat pastries again if I didn't."

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