So Much More (Book One in the Enough Series)

4. Hallmark Moment

Eden

Being with Reed was the happiest I'd felt in a long time. My face hurt from smiling so much just with our text exchanges; being in person, touching, and holding his hand was almost too much. I'd never met someone I clicked with so quickly. He got my sense of humor and returned it, creating playful banter that I loved.

"So, how did you end up in Seattle?" I asked Reed as we sat, finishing our lunch.

"I signed..." He paused for a moment, taking a drink. "I took the job with the Sounders. I was pretty lucky, got the offer right out of college. What about you? You said you're from Kansas. So, how did you end up out here?" He turned the question around to me.

"College. I wanted away from country life, and when I was applying to colleges, I picked cities I was interested in living. I got here, met Brynn, and haven't left." I smiled over at him as he watched me talk. I noticed today he was dressed much more casually. He was wearing a ballcap backward and a grey t-shirt with black Adidas athletic pants. He looked like he had stepped out of a sports magazine. He didn't seem to notice, but I saw all the looks the women and even some men gave him as they passed by us.

"Does Brynn work at the bookstore?" He asked, leaning forward on the table, watching me. I could feel my face heating up. He watched me so intently; it was unnerving and sexy at the same time. It was like he hung on every word I spoke.

"Oh no. She's a wedding planner. Well, party planner in general but mostly weddings." I answered, gathering up our trash. Before I could stand, Reed, grabbed it up and quickly dumped it into a nearby garbage bin. As he was stepping back to the table, a young man passed him by, raising his fist out.

"Go Sounders!" He cried, bumping fists with Reed. I watched as Reed's cheeks flushed pink, and he adjusted his ballcap. I smiled, assuming that it was someone he knew.

"Do you watch sports?" He asked, sitting down again. This time he looked concerned with my answer, which struck me as odd. I brushed it off, figuring he was either a hater of all things sports or a sports fanatic.

"I feel like there may be a wrong answer here." I bit my lip nervously.

"Never a wrong answer as long as it's true," Reed responded, looking down, then rubbing the back of his neck as he turned to look out to the water.

"I don't. I never really had an interest or anyone to watch with. Tate isn't even that into sports, so it never really comes up." I sipped my water, waiting for him to turn his attention back to me.

"Would you like to walk down the pier?" He stood, reaching his hand out to me. I didn't hesitate to put my hand into his again, loving the touch. I held tight as we maneuvered through the crowd of people by the restaurants and away from them toward the water.

"I've been here for years now, and I think this is the first time I've actually walked along the pier." I thought out loud.

"No way. How'd you come from Kansas and not immediately want to get near the water?" Reed teased.

"I know. I work a lot. I read a lot and veg out in the apartment more than I should." I laughed.

It didn't take long for us to reach the far end of the pier; not as many people were gathered around though it was pretty active being such a beautiful day. We leaned forward on the railing, watching the water.

"Thank you for having lunch with me today," Reed spoke softly, turning his head to the side to look at me. I returned his smile, leaning over onto him. He moved his right arm, slowly sliding it around my waist. I melted into his embrace as we stood quietly watching. Before I could respond, Reed was pointing out toward the waves. "There's a whale." I squinted, my eyes trying to find where he was directing.

"Oh my God!" I squealed when I spotted it. It was a whale! Before I even realized it, I was out of his arm and jumping up and down. I was so excited; I couldn't control it. Until I saw a few kids nearby doing the same thing, I quickly stopped. When I turned around to Reed, he was laughing hysterically. "That didn't happen." I blurted. "I did not just do that."

"You so did, and it was adorable." He continued to laugh, reaching his arms out and pulling me into him. I huffed as he held me to his chest, looking down at me with a smile. The butterflies in my stomach were fluttering about. I licked my lips in anticipation or silent wishing. His eyes were shining in the sunlight, specks of green and brown with his beautifully long lashes. As I was memorizing his face, his lips met mine. The kiss was perfect. His lips were soft, moving in perfect rhythm with mine. Whistles around us broke the moment; I giggled nervously as we parted. Reed stood, looking into my eyes as he smiled. "I'm sorry, I couldn't..."

I interrupted him by raising to my tiptoes and pushing my lips back into his. I wanted more, I needed more, onlookers be damned. I slid my hand up the back of his neck, into his hair, and under his hat, knocking it to the ground. He didn't stop, though; his hands held me firmly around the waist as he returned my kiss equally. I felt like I was in one of the hallmark movies I'd threatened to ban Brynn from. Being held the way he was holding me, kissed the way he was kissing me while standing on the pier in a crowd of people.

He quickly bent down when we separated this time, grabbing his cap. When he came back up, he planted a quick smooch on my cheek.

"Feel free to interrupt me all the time." He laughed, sliding his hand into mine again. I absolutely loved how he had to be touching me at all times. Sure this had been our second physical meeting, but talking with him over the last two weeks had built up this connection that sparked into flames the minute I saw him.

"Will do." I winked at him with a giggle.