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words were a whisper against her lips. “I kissed you when I told you I wouldn’t.”
    Her eyes slid open. Her gaze searched his as she licked her lips, tempting him to take her again. “We’re even. I kissed you back.”
    “About that real date…”
    She hesitated. “You don’t know me.”
    “I’m trying to fix that.”
    Her eyes searched his. What am I doing? What am I doing? This isn’t fair to him. I’m so selfish for wanting to have one night of normalcy.
    She nodded and pushed up from his body. She let out a shaky breath and gathered the sandwich, wrapping it back up. “I think we should go. I have to work tomorrow. One date might be possible.” She glanced over at him as if nervously waiting for his response.
    “How does Thursday sound? I know you work the weekends.”
    “Sounds great,” she answered, helping him fold the blanket and put the stuff back into the saddlebags. She paused before mounting Milly. “Gabe.”
    He glanced at her. “Yeah?”
    “I need to be upfront with you.”
    “Okay.”
    It’s not fair to let him think I’m going to stay. There’s going to come a time when I have to leave. It’s inevitable. “I’m not sure how long I plan to stay on the island. I—”
    “One day at a time.” He nodded. “I understand.”
    And if that wasn’t the kicker. He did understand. She didn’t want to start something if she had to run. The thought saddened him, knowing she didn’t feel safe enough to confide in him yet. But he held the hope that, maybe in time, she might tell him what was really going on.  

     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
     
    Brooklyn spent the next three days thinking about Gabe and their shared kiss. She blushed every time he came in for lunch. He’d watch her work, and when she wasn’t busy, she spent time talking to him. She was acting like a schoolgirl with a crush. She’d come to her own conclusion that Gabe was a good guy. More than she could have ever wished for with what she’d dealt with prior.
    He showed up right on time at her apartment and knocked on the door. She glanced in the mirror one last time before grabbing her clutch and opening the door, not yet ready to let him inside to see how little she owned. She stepped out, locking the door behind her.
    “You’re stunning.” He handed her a rose and placed a kiss on her cheek.
    “You clean up nice yourself.” She smiled and took his elbow, letting him lead her to his car.
    He pulled up at the hotel and parked in front of La Amour. She’d heard about this place. It had the best food on the island. “Nice. You weren’t kidding about that wine. I heard this place is hard to get into.”
    “My aunt and uncle own it,” he admitted before getting out and coming around to her side. He held out his hand, and she slipped her fingers through his. “Don’t worry.” He leaned into her ear and whispered, “Neither of them is working tonight, so there’s no pressure of meeting the family.”
    Her smile widened at his words. Gabe Love was worried for her. The thought warmed her soul and melted her heart. It was a far cry from where she’d come from, and just another reminder that her leaving had been the right choice.
    They were seated instantly after walking in the door. Other diners sat around them. Their glasses clinked. The crystal sparkled on the chandelier. Sunburned couples sat nearby joking and talking about their day’s adventures. This was a lovely place. Close to what she’d had at home, only without the people who made it a hundred percent better.
    “This is lovely.”
    Gabe grinned and took the menu from the waiter. “Benjamin, I’ll have a beer, and I believe the lady would like some wine.”
    “Sauvignon Blanc, please, if you have it.”
    “Of course.” Benjamin nodded and left them to look at the menu.
    She’d been looking down at her menu when she heard a familiar voice behind her that made her heart stutter.
    “Lucy,” the woman called out as she approached. Brooklyn