Four

Sullivan placed the to-go boxes in the trunk next to the picnic basket and pulled out the plastic containers that were part of the picnic set. He filled them with the restaurant food and placed them back in the basket. Then he readjusted the dishes, silverware, and cups, topping everything with a single yellow rose. That had been her favorite flower in high school. Jackson had always made a point to give her one for no reason.

He closed the basket, then the trunk, and climbed into his black BMW. His pulse picked up speed as he thought about getting together with Haley. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since Dakota’s wedding. He'd been so distracted that he'd had to stop looking at the new house listings and put on a movie just to be able to get her out of his mind. 

On one hand, it was nice to think about something other than work, but at the same time, he needed to focus on it more than ever. He'd waited so long to purchase the business from Dad and couldn't let himself get lazy now. Or maybe it was time he allowed himself a little fun. It was summer and he had a date with a beautiful woman.

Sullivan pulled into the parking lot at the beach. It was packed, as he expected. This time of year, everyone came out to enjoy the best part of Enchantment Bay—the bay itself. He drove around six full times before finally landing a spot.

He grabbed the picnic basket and headed for the beach with a spring in his step. As he approached the entrance, he heard crying. Sullivan looked around and saw a boy hiding behind a tree, sniffling.

It tugged on his heartstrings, so he approached the child. “Are you okay?”

The boy wiped his eyes and stood taller, appearing embarrassed. He pointed to a group of three boys twice his size. “Those guys stole my ice cream money.”

“Really?” Sullivan narrowed his eyes and studied the little punks. “Want me to get it back for you?”

He shook his head. “They already used it.”

“How much did they take?”

“Five dollars.”

“Ouch.” Sullivan dug into his pocket and pulled a twenty from his wallet. “Why don’t you take this and buy all the ice cream you want?”

The boy’s eyes widened. “For real?”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?”

“No.”

Sullivan handed him the bill. “Come on. I’ll walk to the concession stand with you and make sure those jerks don’t try to help themselves at your expense again.”

The boy stared at Sullivan like he was a hero. “Thanks so much.”

“Think nothing of it. Come on.” He walked to the stand with the kid and made a point to stare at the group of bullies. They ran off after meeting Sullivan’s glare.

The boy walked away from the stand with an ice cream in each hand and change in his pocket.

“Enjoy.” Sullivan waved.

“Wait. Don’t you want the change?”

“Nah. Get yourself something else later.”

“Thanks!” The kid ran off.

Sullivan smiled and headed over to the main part of the beach, where concerts were usually held. In the distance, Haley sat on a blanket under a large umbrella. It was a good thing she’d remembered the blanket, because that was the one thing Sullivan had forgotten to pack. He darted around kids chasing each other and sunbathers scattered all around.

A stream of water hit him across the chest. 

“Sorry, sir!” called a kid, running away.

“No problem. It’ll dry.” Finally, he made it to Haley. She sat, shaded by the umbrella, reading a paperback. She wore a royal blue romper with a pattern of golden flowers sprinkled across it, and she had on a long beaded necklace. His breath hitched. She was even more gorgeous than the day before.

He cleared his throat and set the basket down next to her. “I hate to disturb you, but I did bring food.”

She smiled, tucked a bookmark in the novel, and set it aside. “Looks like you were struck by the water gun, too.”

Sullivan pulled on his shirt. “Kind of hard to avoid them. Are you hungry?”

Haley sniffed the air. “It smells delicious.”

“I hope you like pasta.” Sullivan lowered himself to the blanket and opened the basket. He handed her the flower, enjoying her surprised expression, and then set out the plates.

“Let me help you.”

He shook his head, pulled out the plastic containers and removed the lids, revealing the angel chicken bow tie pasta, spinach tomato tortellini, Caesar salad, and garlic bread rolls.

Her mouth gaped. “Did you make all this?”

“I’ll let you think that.” He winked, poured sparkling cider into the glasses, and handed her a plate. “Ladies first.”

She stared at everything, a little pink coloring her cheeks. “You really didn’t have to.”

“I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. You haven’t been back home in years. Dig in.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” She took a plate and piled dainty little portions of each item. 

“I hope you don’t expect me to eat all the rest of that,” he teased.

Haley shook her head and bit her lip. She seemed so fragile. Sullivan was overcome with the urge to protect her, but he couldn’t give her a twenty and make all her problems disappear. He heaped large helpings onto his plate and scooted next to her. They watched the waves crash onto the shore as they ate in silence.

It was nice—a comfortable quiet. Like old friends settling into a routine despite the many years apart. Only he wasn’t so sure he wanted to remain just friends. After she emptied her plate, she served herself a tiny bit more of each item.

He watched her from the corner of his eye, and poured her some more cider once she'd emptied her glass. Normally he’d have gotten wine, but knowing her dad’s issues with alcohol he wasn’t sure if she had any aversions to it.

“Are you full?” he asked, after she set her plate down.

She smiled. “I had enough. I don’t want to stuff myself at the beach.”

“Well, I hope you saved room for dessert.” 

Her eyes widened. “There’s more?”

Sullivan stood, went around her, and dug into the basket, pulling out the last plastic container. “Rhubarb pie. You still like that, right?”

“I can’t believe you remembered. Looks like I’m going to stuff myself at the beach, after all.”

He opened the container and scooped half of the large piece onto her plate and half onto his. “It’s hard to forget when someone shares one of my favorite desserts.”

Just as they were finishing the dessert, a group of kids ran by, spraying sand all over them. 

“Watch it!” Sullivan called. He took Haley’s plate and helped her up. “You didn't get any in your eyes, did you?”

She dusted off her romper. “No, just my clothes.”

“That’s good.” He glanced around the beach. “Shouldn’t they be getting the concert set up by now?”

A guy with a farmer’s tan turned to Sullivan from the next blanket over. “The concert? It was canceled. Lead singer has laryngitis or something.”

“Thanks.” He helped Haley put the dirty dishes and containers in the basket. “Do you want to stay here? Or we could catch a movie—at least it’d be air conditioned.”

“It’s nice here.” She closed the basket, moved it aside, and sat in the middle of the blanket. Sullivan sat next to her, not leaving much space between them. Haley stared at the water.

“How do you like being back?” He readjusted himself and brushed his hand against hers.

Haley turned to him, her eyes wide. She wasn’t any less jumpy than she’d been in high school.

“Must be strange being home after so long.”

“It’s not as stressful as it used to be.”

Sullivan nodded knowingly. “I’m sure it’s not.”

She held his gaze, seeming to want to say more. He wanted to plant his mouth on her full lips and make her forget all about her painful past.