Page 81 of Stolen Kisses
She stood, keeping his hand. “After that huge meal, I think a walk is definitely in order.”
They strolled along the shoreline, up to the Blushing Bay pier and walked along, weaving between kids and couples, older folks with baseball hats shielding their eyes. They didn’t let go of each other’s hands until Noah stopped in front of their favorite ice cream shop.
“You have got to be kidding me.” Krista looked at him in disbelief. “No. We just had a pre-Thanksgiving meal—kind of. There is no way you are talking me into stuffing my belly with ice cream, too.”
“Hot chocolate?” he asked.
“It’s not that cold outside.” She placed her hands on her hips. “But, I guess a peanut butter smoothie would hit the spot.”
“That’s my girl.” Noah reached for her hand and tugged her in the storefront. As he did, she went to reach for the fishing hook charm on her necklace out of habit. Her feet rooted to the pavement.
“Oh, no.”
Noah turned back. “What’s wrong?”
“My necklace.” Krista spun around searching the ground, hoping she’d spot it. She pulled the front of her top out to look down her shirt. No sign of the golden fishhook that Noah had given her when they were mere kids.
Noah mimicked her actions, retreating several steps and searching the path that they’d just walked. “Maybe you lost it at the office. Once we start cleaning up, we’ll probably find it.”
Krista nodded, trying to stay calm. The necklace was one of her favorite things. She couldn’t lose it now. It was a part of her in some way. “Let’s go back now. I need to find it.”
“Sure.” Noah grabbed her hand again and pulled her along, retracing their steps. When they got back to the office, Krista rushed inside and started tearing the place apart, searching.
“What’s wrong?” Abby asked, hoisting a tub of dirty dishes to take back to The Landing.
Noah lifted the tub from her hands. “I’ll take these to your catering van.”
“Thanks.” Abby looked at Krista again. “Did you lose something?”
“My charm. The lucky fishing hook that Noah gave me when I was in the hospital as a kid. I need it.” Tears threatened behind her eyes.
“I’ll help you.”
Together, the three of them searched the entire office, twice, to no avail. Giving up, Krista finally plopped down in one of the chairs.
“I’ll give you another fishing hook,” Noah promised. “I have about a million of ’em, you know.”
The disappointment was thick. The loss felt foreboding somehow. “It won’t be the same.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing.” He reached for her hand and pulled her up against him. “Because you and I aren’t the same anymore. Our relationship has changed from friends to friends with benefits.”
Krista’s jaw dropped.
“And more.” He ran his index finger over her chin. “How about I take you back out for that peanut butter smoothie now?”
She hesitated. She didn’t want a smoothie anymore. All she wanted was her lucky charm back. “Okay.” She pulled in a breath, missing the weight of the hook on her chest and fearing it was lost forever. She was sentimental with a lot of things. This was one of them. “Or…”
“Or?” He looked at her questioningly.
“Or you could take me back to your place. What I really want right now is to be held.”
She didn’t miss the fact that he hesitated. He’d pulled away from her physically ever since the condom had broken. It’d only been a few days, but she’d noticed and it hurt. Maybe she’d lost more than her lucky charm this week.
