Page 38 of Beary In Love

"Down boy," he muttered to himself, forcing his claws to retract where they'd started to emerge.

Serena approached the truck, and Logan leaned across to push open the passenger door.

"Your chariot awaits," he said with an exaggerated bow from his seat.

"Such the gentleman." She climbed in, bringing with her the scent of lavender and something uniquely Serena that made his head spin. "Though I notice this chariot still has the same squeaky door it did ten years ago."

"Hey now, don't insult the truck. She's sensitive."

They drove toward the beach, the setting sun still painting the sky in light oranges and pinks. The festival lights were already visible, strung between poles along the shoreline. Music drifted on the breeze - some local band covering classic rock songs.

Logan pulled into the makeshift parking area on the packed sand, finding a spot near the back where fewer cars had ventured.

"Looks packed already," Serena observed, peering through the windshield at the crowds near the entrance.

"Good thing I know all the secret ways in." He winked at her. "Unless you've forgotten how to sneak onto the beach?"

"Logan Steele, are you suggesting we break the rules?"

"More like creatively interpreting them." His bear preened at the way she laughed. "Besides, those lines are for tourists. We're locals."

Logan led Serena through their secret entrance onto the beach, his bear's protective instincts surging as she navigated the rocky path. The festival lights twinkled above them, casting a magical glow across the sand. His fingers itched to take her hand, but he kept them firmly at his sides.

"Remember that summer we snuck in here every weekend?" Serena asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"And old man Henderson would chase us off, waving that ridiculous flashlight?" Logan chuckled, the memory warming him more than the nearby bonfires. "Good times."

They soon wandered past food stalls, the scents of fried dough and grilled meat making his stomach growl. When Serena's eyes lingered on a candy apple stand, Logan immediately stepped up to buy two.

"You didn't have to," she protested, but accepted the treat with a smile.

"Course I did. Can't have the festival experience without getting sticky candy all over your face."

They found a quiet spot near one of the smaller bonfires, away from the main crowd. The flames cast a warm glow across Serena's face as she bit into her apple, and Logan had to force himself to look away.

"Oh! The tide pools are still here," Serena exclaimed, pointing toward the rocky outcropping. "Remember how we used to spend hours looking at the starfish?"

"Want to check them out?"

She nodded eagerly, and this time Logan didn't stop himself from taking her hand as they picked their way across the rocks. His stomach flipped when she squeezed his fingers instead of pulling away.

They spent the next hour discovering tiny sea creatures, Serena's excitement infectious as she pointed out each new find. Logan found himself watching her more than the tide pools, memorizing the way her nose crinkled when she laughed, how the sea breeze played with her hair.

"Look at this one!" Serena leaned closer to a particularly colorful anemone, nearly losing her balance.

Logan's arm shot out, steadying her against his chest. She fit there perfectly, just like she always had. The scent of her shampoo mixed with the salty air, making his head spin.

"Still clumsy as ever," he teased, not letting go quite yet.

"Still trying to catch me when I fall," she countered softly, looking up at him with those gray eyes that haunted his dreams.

His bear wanted nothing more than to claim her right there, but Logan forced himself to release her, settling for a gentle squeeze of her shoulder.

As they walked back along the beach, the band's music drifted over from the main festival area. Logan watched Serena's face light up as she recognized the song - an old rock ballad they used to dance to years ago.

"Oh! I love this song." Serena swayed to the rhythm, her sundress catching the evening breeze. "Dance with me?"

His bear boomed with pleasure at her invitation. "Right here?"

---