“These look homemade,” Maileah said, dipping her finger into the mango salsa on her plate.
“That’s because they are. A consortium of grandmothers runs this place.” He gestured toward a bowl of sliced peppers. “Be careful of those. They grow the hottest jalapenos.”
Sailor carried their tray and found a weathered picnic table. They sat on the same side to watch the waves lapping the shore. “I’ll get the rest of the food when it’s ready.”
A few people stopped by their table to say hello, and Sailor introduced her as his very good friend. She thought that was sweet and suspected they wanted to find out who she was.
Maileah sipped her margarita and then took a bite of guacamole on a tortilla chip. She closed her eyes, savoring the flavor. “This is delicious.”
“Told you.” Sailor grinned as he squeezed a lime over the ceviche and scooped some onto a spear of romaine lettuce. “You’ll learn to trust me.”
“Well, we’re friends, so...” She stopped at that.
Sailor slid a bowl of salsa between them. “So what does that mean?”
“Like you said, very good friends,” she clarified, echoing the term he’d just used, yet still searching for words that conveyed how much she treasured him without sounding like she was fawning over him.
She failed to find any. “Of course, I trust you.”
His eyes brightened with amusement. “Are we talking about food or something else?”
“I don’t know, are we?” She wished she could bite off her tongue. Why couldn’t she keep her comments under control?
Sailor sprinkled more cilantro over the ceviche and laughed. “You always amaze me.”
And he amazed her, she thought, sitting so close to him that the narrow space between them fairly vibrated. She had to ask, “Is that good or not?”
“More than very good.” Sailor gave her a long, curious look. Only when a man called his name did he move, tearing his gaze from her.
“Tacos are ready. I’ll be right back.”
Something was shifting between them; Maileah could feel it. She knew she should reorient herself back into the friend zone, but the draw she felt to him was so intense she could only lean a little in the other direction.
Sailor returned with their tacos, which smelled so savory. Sitting beside her again, he held out another sauce.
“This is a creamy cilantro sauce for the fish. Would you like some?”
With her heart nearly in her throat, she nodded. He drizzled it over her fish and added a spritz of lime. She loved how he took such care of little things for her.
She recalled the first time she’d met him with Junie and how he’d patiently helped her learn the basics of surfing. She had fallen for him way back then but now was different.
Much different. She’d gotten to know him.
Gazing at her with a questioning look, he asked, “Is everything okay?”
Finally, she found her voice. “I can’t remember the last time I had such a wonderful, carefree evening. The ocean, the food, and…” She lowered her gaze from his earnest eyes to the fullness of his lips.
Heat built in her chest again.
“You’re long overdue then.” He slid his fingers toward hers. “Is there anything I can do?”
She hooked her little finger with his. “Just keep being the real you.”
“That’s the only way I know how to be.” Twining his fingers with hers, he dipped his head. “I know you have a lot of choices, and I don’t know what you’re looking for, but when you do, I’m here for you.”
“As what?” She had to be sure.
“Whatever you want. I don’t say that often. If ever...”Sailor cleared his throat, breaking the spell. “We should probably eat before this gets cold.”
