The Storm Ahead

Ten

Caroline's POV

When I finally made my way out of Bailey's Bookshop, I suddenly ran into a solid surface.

"Woah, woah, woah," He looked down to me with a smile, "Where're you off to in such a hurry?"

"Aiden," I smiled, "no where, home."

"Could I, uh, talk you into going on a walk?"

"A walk?"

"Yeah," He said, eyes guarded, "I've been meaning to look around town."

I analyzed my options. I could go with Aiden, an attractive guy who seems genuinely kind. Or I can go home. Where I'll be alone. Where I'll spend the whole time thinking about Leo, feeling lost and unwanted. 

"That sounds really fun actually." I said and we set off. 

We were walking around town when Aiden saw the bakery and slowed. He looked at it for a moment and then me, and then back to the shop. 

"Want to get some biscuits?" he asked and I giggled at the British word. 

"I don't know what it is with American girls, but they all seem to laugh when I talk."

"You say some things funny."

"And you don't?" He said with a laugh, "Americans have the strangest way of talking."

"I'm sure you're right." I said, and we continued our walk through town. 

"I've heard the beach is lovely," He said, his eyes lingering on the crowd near the pier.

"You don't like crowds?" I guessed, and he looked tame with a small nod. "Yeah, me neither. I don't like all the drama small towns like this spread. You drop your ice cream and in two days your neighbor thinks you have tuberculosis. And they stare, it's just-"

"Unsettling." He finished and I sent him a smile.

"Want to know a secret?"

"Sure?" He said, a slight smirk creeping onto his face. I leaned in and cupped my hand around my mouth.

"I know where a secret beach is."

He let out a warm laugh, his grin genuine. 

"A secret beach?"

"Mhm."

"And what does one have to do to be considered worthy of seeing said beach?" He asked, leaning toward me.

"You just have to know the right person." I said, and leaned back away from him. His eyes lifted to mine and my heart dropped at the sight of his eyes peering up from under his dark lashes. I sucked in a breath and he smirked, a cocky, excited grin. 

"Are you up for a picnic?" He asked and I furrowed my brows. 

"Picnic?"

"Yeah, a picnic at a secret beach sounds quite nice."

I smiled at his cute proposition, and gave him a quick, cheerful nod. 

----

"This," I said, spreading my arms out wide, "is my secret home."

I felt the ocean wind spread around me and I leaned my head back, appreciating the cool air on the unusually hot day. I stepped out of my shoes and felt the warm sand below my feet. I smiled and the sounds and smells around me. The  seagulls, the waves, the sound of wind blowing around me. The smell of the ocean. The feeling of the sun grazing my skin. I opened my eyes to see Aiden looking at me, his lips lifted at the edges, his eyes unguarded.