Page 12 of One Weekend in Seattle

Sawyer turned his hand over and closed his fingers around hers. “I’m having fun. Drink up so we can continue our journey.”

Their next stop was a nut vendor. “Oh my goodness! So many.” Gabby loved nuts and incorporating them into food.

“Which ones would you like to sample?” Sawyer asked after he talked with the worker.

“How many can I sample?”

“As many as you want.”

Her eyes widened with surprise. “Okay, I want to try caramel cashews, toffee peanuts, bourbon pecans, and maple sugar walnuts.”

“I’ll get a taste of the ghost pepper peanuts and coconut almonds.”

“Of course, give me just a minute.”

“You’re living dangerously.”

“I am?”

“Ghost pepper peanuts.” She shuddered.

Sawyer leaned down, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Spice is always fun. I have a feeling you can be very spicy.”

The softness of his words sent a shiver over her spine. “You have no idea.” Gabby bit her lower lip. She wasn’t used to flirting like this, but she was enjoying herself.

After trying the samples, Gabby had a hard time deciding what she wanted. Besides the ones she tried, she wanted some other flavors.

“Get whatever you want.”

“It’s hard. They all taste good.”

“Which ones are you thinking about.”

Gabby listed six that she wanted.

“I’ll tell you what, think about it, and we’ll stop back before we leave.”

“That might help. I might be able to narrow it down.” She glanced across the way. “I’m going to go look at the produce too.”Gabby turned away, hoping she could narrow down her choices. It wasn’t like she couldn’t afford to get them all, but she really didn’t need that many nuts.

With a shrug, she began looking at the produce. Maybe find some fruit or something special to take to Lindsay.

***

Sawyer waited until Gabby moved on to the produce across the way before he ordered a half-pound of each of the ones she wanted, plus some for him. Gabby would probably object to him buying her nuts, but he didn’t care.

His life was about business, and most of his relationships were—for lack of a better word—transactional. For the first time in his life, he was happy to spend money. There was no quid pro quo. She brought out the protective side of him he’d almost forgotten about.

“Ready?” he asked, coming up next to her.

“Yes.” She glanced at his empty hands. “You didn’t buy anything?”

“I bought what I wanted and told them I’d pick it up later. I’m not as indecisive as you are.”

“I’m not indecisive; there are just so many.”

Sawyer shook his head. “I think you’ll enjoy the next place.” He took her hand. Sawyer enjoyed holding her hand, another first for him. He’d never been much into public displays of affection, but with Gabby, it was different.

Their next stop was closed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize they were closed on Saturdays.”

---