When we reached the front of the line, I pointed at the nearest koozie and reached into my purse.
“And one of those tie-dyed shirts and that hoodie.” Ben pointed over my shoulder. “Number twelve.”
“What size?” The merch girl asked in a bored tone.
“Medium,” Ben replied before pointing. “And that scarf.”
I would’ve pegged him as a large, but what did I know.
He shook his head as I tried to give him my money for the koozie.
“That’ll be one seventy-five.” The merch girl tapped at her tablet screen then held it out for Ben.
He tapped on the highest tip payout, then dug in his back pocket for his wallet. Still holding onto me with one arm, he rifled through his wallet in front of me, pulled out a credit card, and tapped it on the display screen. The tablet beeped.
“Do you want a receipt?” The merch girl asked with a big smile.
“Nah, we’re good.” Ben scooped up his pile of merch and we headed for the exit after Roscoe.
“For as much as you paid, they should really give you a bag or something.” I laughed as we stood behind a different sign.
Ben shrugged as he folded the shirt then handed it to me so he could fold the hoodie. “Maybe I should’ve grabbed a tote. Will any of it fit in your bag?”
“I think I can make room for most of it.” I shoved a few things around in my crossbody bag. “Everything except the hoodie will fit.”
“Good. Here.” He handed me the koozie, shirt, and scarf. “Actually, wait.” He pulled back the scarf, twisted and flipped it in his hands, then swept it over my head. “Here. It’ll help keep your hair out of your eyes.”
I stood still as Ben tied a complicated knot that left me with a scarf headband over the top of my hair with the knot tucked under my hair at the back.
“There.” He bent forward and kissed the top of my head. “You look gorgeous.”
My cheeks heated as I smiled up at him. “Thanks. Should we get a beer first or go see who’s playing on the beach stage?”
“Wherever you wanna go. This is your day, Emma.”
I couldn’t resist. I leaned into him, wrapped my arms around his shoulders, and kissed him. It might’ve lasted a little bit longer than was polite for public.
I was a little dazed when I finally stepped back. After a second, the pheromone-induced haze lifted, and I grabbed his hand. “Beach stage, and then drinks. I have a water bottle if you’re feeling thirsty though.”
As I pulled him through the crowd around the merch tent, I could’ve sworn I heard him mutter, “Oh I’m definitely thirsty.”
But when I turned and gave him a questioning look, he shrugged innocently.
Chapter 6
I was having the time of my life. I couldn’t remember ever being so happy. And it was all because of Ben. He stayed at my side the whole day. We sang along to Never Gone’s anthems. He’d watched me twirl and we grinded with Careless Company’s dirty song set. And then we slow danced on the beach to some of Alex Graham’s love songs.
It wasthebest day.
I looked up at Ben’s face as we swayed on the beach with Alex Graham crooning in the background.
Was love at first sight really a thing?
Did we have any chance at making this last more than one weekend?
And should I even be thinking about that?
Suddenly I wasn’t capable of higher thinking. He looked so mesmerized—by me. His eyes sparkled, and he had this tender, kinda all-in expression on his face. Like he was completely into me. I caught my breath, and the next thing I knew, Ben ducked down, and he kissed me. My arms were wrapped around the back of his neck, and all I could do was hold on as I lost myself in the moment. His lips were so pillowy soft, and he was so tender as he kissed me.
