Page 56 of Coming Unraveled
“It makes sense that this is your escape. It’s the place you remember being happiest.”
Moving her head, she leans forward and presses a peck against his chest before looking up at him again. “I’m happy with you.”
“I’m happy with you too.”
“How about we go walk downtown? It’s cute and there is a brewery that is pretty great.”
“That sounds fun. But I need something first.”
“What’s that?”
Swiftly he picks her up in his arms and walks her back to the bedroom while saying, “I need you.”
Two hours later, they walk hand in hand along the walkways lining the small downtown. Everleigh points out the Elizabeth II, a recreation of a historic vessel, and Brooks smiles like a little boy.
“Maybe we can do the museum tomorrow. I bet you’ll like that. I had no idea that this sort of thing interested you.”
“There are many layers to me, wife. I happen to have wanted to be a pirate as a child. And that,” he points to the massive wooden structure bobbing in the water, “looks like a pirate ship.”
“I guess there are a lot of things we don’t know about each other, not the little things at least,” she pauses as they come to stand in front of a local brewery. “Want to go inside? Bar food sounds really good right now.”
“Absolutely,” Brooks enthuses as he holds open the door for her. Surprisingly he isn’t met with the typical smell of fried foods and burgers; instead, his senses tingle at the aroma of garlic, tomatoes, and seafood. “Damn, I wasn’t hungry before, but I am now,” he adds as a waitress skirts past them carrying a bowl full of steamed mussels.
He reaches down for her hand once more, the slight callus of his palms a welcome roughness against her soft skin, and leads her to a booth in the back, overlooking the water.
A waitress stops by quickly to take their drink order and they both order a local brew.
“You know, we’ve never actually been on a date. This may be our first,” Everleigh points out as she fiddles with her napkin as she unrolls it away from the utensils.
Clasping her hand in his from across the table Brooks looks remorseful as he says, “You’re right, I’m sorry. I should have done this a long time ago.”
“Well,” she smirks, “it’s not like I made it easy.”
“True, but I could have tried harder.”
“Maybe, but I wouldn’t have let you anyway,” she mentions.
A beat of silence follows the proclamation and her chest tightens remembering all the times she had pushed Brooks away, or more realistically, fought him every time she saw him.
Luckily, she is saved from the awkward silence as the waitress places their beers in front of them on the table.
“What can I get y’all to eat?” she asks as she glances back and forth between the two of them.
Everleigh turns her attention to Brooks and admits, “The mussels looked really good.”
Smiling up at the young waitress, Everleigh watches as the woman is completely disarmed by Brooks and his presence. “We’ll take two orders of the mussels in the white wine sauce and an order of bread, please.”
She has to smother her giggle when the woman shakes her head to break free from the trance that Brooks’ smile placed her in.
“Yes, mussels and bread. I’ll get that in for you.” Turning her attention to Everleigh she asks, “How do you like the beer? It’s a new recipe they brewed this summer.”
“It’s amazing. It reminds me of a Hefeweizen, but with a hint of saltiness. I love it.”
“Great. I’ll be sure to let them know. Cohen loves to hear feedback from customers.”
“Cohen? As in the owner of Scarlet Security?”
“One in the same. I’ll go put your order in and check back with you.”
