I listen with interest. It’s not a topic I know much about, or that I expected him to be an expert in, but his enthusiasm is as contagious as his adorable smile.
At one point, Killian excuses himself and walks to a rocky part of the shore where a pretty woman is standing. I feel a pang of jealousy as I watch their easy interaction, her body angled into his as he envelops her in a hug. I see her pointing at something on the shoreline, and he walks over to check it out, bending over to pick something up. But my jealousy is short-lived when he returns and retrieves something from his pocket.
He presents me with the most beautiful shell I’ve ever seen, textured and patterned in a way that makes me marvel at the power of nature to create the most beautiful things.
“That was my friend Shelley… I’m not joking. That’s her actual name. She’s the shell expert around here. We grew up next door to each other actually, and I’m good friends with her wife.”
A surge of relief washes over me. Maybe Noah and I aren’t so different with our possessive qualities, after all.
Killian interrupts my deep thoughts, gesturing at the shell. “You know, if you listen to it, you can always hear the ocean, no matter how far away you are.”
“So I can always find my home?”
“Yes, exactly. You can always find your home.”
Our bags grow heavy as the sun dips low. Just in time, we join the group releasing baby sea turtles.
I gasp as the tiny creatures paddle furiously towards the lapping waves. Freedom, at last. So brave as they willingly wade into the unknown. I have the urge to follow them into the ocean and swim to some deserted island. To start a new life afresh, free of the stress of everyday life or the need to choose between four devastatingly hot men who would burn down the world if it made me happy… as long as they don’t need to share me, apparently.
Killian squeezes my hand. “Every bit helps. We’ll keep fighting the good fight.”
I squeeze back, my once-jaded heart now brimming with hope. “With you, I believe we can.”
As the sun sets, I think we might be done with our date, and I would have left happy with the time we spent together. Honestly, I’m going to remember today for the rest of my life.
And I know it’s because of Killian, and the way he made me feel while he introduced me to some of his favorite activities.
Whether I choose him or not, there are definitely going to be more animal shelter snuggles and turtle releases in my life.
But we’re far from done, as it turns out.
Next stop, he announces, is one of his favorite restaurants of all time.
The scent of simmering spices wafts through the cozy restaurant as we’re led to an intimate table. Local artwork adorns the walls, and the warm lighting makes me feel at home.
A lanky teenager greets us, barely suppressing his grin. “Hey there, folks! I’m D! I’ll be your server as well as cooking some of the items, and we’ve got a really awesome menu for you tonight.”
Killian smiles. “I think we’ll let you decide, Chef D. Surprise us.”
The teen’s eyes widen before he rushes back to the kitchen. Killian chuckles. “This place takes kids from rough neighborhoods and trains them to be chefs. Gives them skills and confidence.”
“That’s amazing,” I say. My respect for him deepens.
D returns, balancing two steaming plates. “Ok, we’ve got a chickpea curry and some naan bread. I made the curry sauce from scratch, loosely based on my grandmother’s recipe. Let me know if you need anything!”
We dig in. The flavors explode in my mouth, complex yet comforting.
D hovers anxiously until we both give him a thumbs up. He almost bursts with pride as I ask for a to-go container for an extra helping to share with our roommates.
Between bites, Killian talks more about the restaurant’s impact. At-risk youth finding meaning through food. My heart swells.
“You were right. This place is perfect,” I tell him. “It’s inspiring. Makes me want to do more.”
Killian’s eyes shine. “That’s exactly why I wanted to bring you here. To show you the good we can do together.”
Under the candlelight, I find myself leaning closer. The food, the company, the purpose—everything feels right.
After dinner, Killian leads me down the beach to a secluded cove. The sun has long since set, leaving behind hues of purple and orange. He spreads a blanket on the sand and lights a few candles.