Taking my hand he leads me away from the car. The breeze from the water gently moves my hair, goosebumps cover my body. I regret not bringing a jacket as Amelia suggested. Shaking my thoughts away I look at my surroundings.
A few people walk around the blocks made up of small shops, each one unique. The street lights turn on giving everything an amber glow while the shops' store lights reflect onto the sidewalk giving everything an eerie white glow. It seems all so perfect. Birds fly above us and squirrels chase each other up a tree.
"Where are we going? Are we almost there?"
"You ask too many questions. You are going to ruin the surprise." He looks at me with a raised eyebrow daring me to ask another question.
Raising my hands up in surrender, I sheepishly look over at our still-intertwined hands. I smile subconsciously. Putting my arms back down, he slides his hand better in mine. Our fingers curl to cradle the other's hand.
"Close your eyes."
Doing as he said, my eyes flutter shut. I still don't understand why it is so easy to listen to whatever he tells me. Maybe it's because I have so much trust in him. Or I just know he doesn't want to hurt me. After our talk in the car, I understand him better. Our connection grew deeper because we both went through something we were too young to deal with and to fully understand. In my case, I am still too young or naive. I could have helped them. Even in my guilt, I know that there really isn't anything I could have changed. But it's still nice to talk about them as if they were still here. It is nice to finally open up the flood of feelings that I have kept damned up for a long time. It's so relieving.
I squeal as Damon picks me up. "There's a step."
There is no apology or shyness in his voice. He could have told me to watch my step, but instead, he seized the moment to carry me. Is he remembering our moment like I am? His hands tighten around my waist and I know he is.
"You can open your eyes." The goosebumps that disappeared from the blast of heat as we entered the store came back with a vengeance as his warm breath hit my neck. A dep shiver racks my body. So sensuous and all he did was whisper in my ear. I need to get a grip. Quick.
My eyes open, darting to his. They swirl with mischief and a heat that I've only seen once before. Desire pools in my stomach. What is happening to me?
"I know you think I'm sexy, but there are children watching."
His hand on the small of my back guides me further into what I now realize is a bakery. Is this the same one he was telling me about? Why would he bring me here?
As if hearing my thoughts, or reading them from the confused and shocked emotions on my face, he nods his head. There is no more doubt that this is the bakery.
"I'm going to go order for us. Find a table and relax. Take off your coat."
Once again I do what he says and curse at myself for doing it. I have never listened to anyone. I went my own way; forged my own path. I am where I am today because I choose to live my life the way I wanted. Of course, going to school and drowning in debt isn't my dream, but I hope it will lead to being a published author my children will be proud of one day.
I find a table in the back of the little bakery. It's more secluded than the rest and somehow the lighting is dimmer. More romantic.
A few minutes later, after I've made myself comfortable and took off my coat, Damon comes back holding two mugs filled with dark liquid and little pastries.
"I know you don't like coffee so I bought you hot chocolate with french vanilla creamer in it. Just the way you like it." I'm touched that he noticed that.
"Thank you. What is all of this?" I ask, my arm sweeping to display the various pastries littering the table.
"House favorites. They all come highly recommended."
Taking a deeper look, there is a cheesecake, croissant, fruit tart, cream puff, eclair, and napoleon. We will never be able to finish this all.
"This all looks amazing. I hope you plan on eating ninety percent of this," I say, laughter in my voice.
"You know I will, babygirl. Can I be honest?"
"Of course. I want you to be honest with me in everything we do or have to say. It's the only way this will work."
"I didn't bring you here and buy these certain desserts to make you uncomfortable. I hope you're not. I don't want to recreate the memories of my childhood because I will always have them, but I want to create new memories with you that will be just as unforgettable. That's why I chose to bring you here. I want this to be one of the first memories that we have as a team, as a couple."
I reach for his hand across the table. I squeeze in understanding, no words are needed. And I don't know what to say to that. I feel so special, cherished, loved even that he wanted to share such a monumental memory with me and then make a new one in the same place.
"We will make a lot of memories together. Thank you for bringing me here. It's an honor."
He nods, handing me the fruit tart. I look at him for reassurance, this was his dessert as a child. He smiles taking the cheesecake and digging his fork into it. The strawberry drizzle drips onto the plate as he lifts up the fork. His face is one of tranquility and reminiscing as he bites into it. He's lost in time, but it feels intimate. He's letting me see this and I will remember this moment. It's one where he doesn't have any worries. He's just a young boy with two loving parents and no cares in the world.
I want to ask him how it is, but am afraid to break the trance he's in. Instead, I take a bite of the fruit tart, one with minimal kiwi, and the flavor explodes in my mouth. All of the fruit tastes fresh and sweet. The tart itself is a nice crunch and not too sweet that it rivals the fruits' natural sugars. It's a perfect combination of sweet and savory. I think his dad would like this.
He breaks out of his trance when he swallows. He savored the cheesecake, but, most importantly, the bittersweet memory of his mom. "It's delicious. I'm not surprised that she ate the whole thing so quickly. How was the fruit tart?"
"It was really good. I think your dad would like it. I know you said it was sweet, but the tart itself is more savory and the only sugar you get is the natural ones from the fruit. It's a really good combination."
"I will have to make him try it one day. Ready to try the next thing?"
Taking a sip of water, I grab a puff pastry and cut it in half for us to share. It's fluffy and the cream is a little heavy but light enough to eat a whole one without feeling the weight of the small dessert.
For the rest of the night, we split more pastries. Surprisingly enough, we finish all of them. I definitely need to go to the gym after this. After we exit out of the small bakery, we walk around the shops. We stop in a few, glance around at the trinkets and souvenirs for people arriving out of state.
In one of the last shops we go into, I find a small snowglobe about the size of the palm of my hand. When it's cranked, snow swirls around the tiny little town with a small boy holding both of his parents' hands. A merry little tune croons out the bottom. As discretely as possible, I hand it to the sales clerk. I want this to be a surprise. The snow globe reminds him of his time here with his parents and by giving it to him, it's going to remind him of me. While I hope I'm not overstepping, I want him to know how much I appreciate him sharing this with me.
When the moon is high in the sky and the stars are the only light to guide us, we get back in the car and drive home. The ride is quiet, both of us tired from a long day. The last thing I remember is looking at the sky and thinking that this is one of the best days of my life.