Page 18 of Bound to You

“So, looks like May and I have jobs for the summer,” I say, interrupting the peaceful silence.

“Already? You must have made some good impressions last night.”

“It’s at Marina’s,” I smile.

“Why am I not surprised?” He laughs. “I guess that means you won’t be needing the cleaning job then.” I blush this time, and make eye contact with my feet, pointedly avoiding his gaze.

“Unfortunately not,” I say, trying to play it cool and failing miserably. But he just nudges my side with his elbow, letting me off, but not before I catch sight of his bright smirk.

“Anyway, now I can truly pay you back for last night, and we’ll pay our way until we can find somewhere else to stay,” I say.

His eyebrows turn down and his smile slips. “You don’t need to find somewhere else to stay, Isla. I meant it when I said you can stay as long as you like.” His tone is serious, and he looks me dead in the eyes as if to make sure I understand. Why is he so stubborn about this? Though I guess I can’t say much.

It’s not like I’m not used to the money. My brother is a pilot, and my dad owns an accountancy firm in New York, so I know money. I just don’t want any handouts. I don’t want to depend on anyone. May is the only person in my life who hasn’t let me down when I’ve depended on her. Everyone else has—my parents, Brandon, even Miles. I love my brother, but he left me behind when he went to aviation school, and he never came back. Since then, he’s always been too far away to truly rely on.

“Okay, we’ll stay,” I say just to get him to look anywhere else. “I’m still going to pay you though.” His head snaps back to mine and suddenly the pavement is the most interesting thing I’ve ever seen. “It’s a nice path, isn’t it?” I say, gesturing to the ground beneath us. He scoffs a laugh under his breath, dropping the argument, and I take it as a win.

Eventually we reach a field littered with gazebos. People are everywhere, going back and forth socializing in between stalls. They’re like ants running around a maze and I’m standing at the entrance.

“Not what you were expecting?” Caio asks, noting my surprised face.

“It’s bigger than I expected,” I admit.

“When this town does something, they go all out. You won’t find one shop in town open right now because everyone is here.” Well, that answers that question. It’s not hard to believe though, considering the “low-key town get together” last night.

The smell of cinnamon drifts towards me and I don’t hesitate another second. My arm naturally finds Caio’s as we make our way down the first row. There’s a mixture of food, art, crafts, and music around us. But all I can do is follow the direction my nose is taking me in, like one of those drug dogs at the airport. I reach a stall with a glass cabinet filled with baked treats. My mouth waters as I feast my eyes on the danishes, croissants, and tarts sitting there just waiting to be devoured. They’re so perfect, they look artificial shining under the bright sun.

“Hey, Vanessa,” Caio greets the lady handing out the goods.

“Ciao,baby! You want something?” she asks, gesturing to the food.

“Thank you, but I’ve had breakfast. I think she could do with something though.” He nods his head in my direction.

Vanessa looks me up and down with affection before coming around the side of the stand to wrap me in a hug. “I couldn’t make it last night, but I heard all about the gorgeous woman Caio was seen with. You’re the talk of the town, missy.” She runs her hands down my arm before taking my hand in hers. “It’s lovely to finally meet you, Isla.” She says it like I’ve been here for ages. How did she already hear about me? This town talks fast.

“You too,” I smile.

She moves back around the counter and starts filling a bag with pastries before passing it over to me and shooing us off when Caio tries to pay her for it.

We somehow manage to find a picnic table to sit down at in the middle of the crowds.

“Vanessa is Marina’s mum,” Caio says as I start unpacking the bag. I mindlessly take a bite of a fruit tart.

“Mmmm and the best baker in town. Oh my god.” This is fucking delicious.

I look back to her and can immediately see the resemblance—the dark waves in her hair and warm smile that is mirrored in her daughter.

Caio laughs at my facial expressions. “She owns the bakery on Main. Can I safely assume you’ll be visiting often?”

I nod vigorously. This woman is about to be my new best friend. She must be an angel to be able to create something so heavenly.

Caio is failing miserably at holding in a laugh.

“Why are you laughing at me?” I ask while looking for my next culprit in the paper bag.

“No, I’m not laughing.” He rubs a hand over his mouth, trying to hide his amused expression.

“You’re a bad liar.”

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