Excuse Me, Miss Mills?

Chapter 28

I showed up to the docks a bit earlier than noon to make sure I could scope out a good spot to sit. If this was going to be our first date out and about we needed to do it correctly. I wanted it to seem simple and sweet to everyone else, but I wanted to make sure Regina had fun with it and that it wasn't just some goofy stunt we'd pull because we had to do so.

I picked a spot that overlooked the harbor but where the smell from the cannery didn't linger too much. The bench would be uncomfortable if we stayed for too long, but that was why I'd planned on walking on the beach for a bit. I'd told her to wear sandals and I hoped she remembered.

The choice of the docks as our first public date had been pretty intentional on my part. It was open enough that a handful of people would see us and in such a small town word would certainly spread, but it was also somewhere not a ton of people went. We wouldn't be too bothered by a ton of people gawking—we'd probably have just enough people catch sight of us to start spreading the rumors.

I texted her where I was, sat back to wait for her, set the picnic basket to the side, and watched the boats and the water. I was trying to look casual and relaxed but I couldn't help but feel a little nervous, like it actually was a first date.

Regina showed up at noon on the dot because of course she did. She walked over with a smile, clearly trying not to look too delighted.

"Hello, Miss Swan," she said a bit playfully.

"Miss Mills," I said, ducking my head a bit. "I thought we were on a first name basis? I figure a first date deserves first names?"

"I suppose you have a point there," she said. "I do have to ask though... why on earth would you ask me on a date?"

"Apart from the obvious reason?" I countered, playing along for the smattering of people around us.

"What are those obvious reasons?" she asked, a brow arched.

"You're hot and you're interesting," I said simply. "Thought that would be enough."

"I suppose it can be," she said with a laugh. "Although dating your teacher—"

"You aren't my teacher anymore," I said firmly.

Regina paused for a moment before nodding and moving to sit next to me on the bench on the other side of the basket.

"So what have you brought for us?" she asked, gesturing to the basket.

"I wasn't sure what you'd like, but I've noticed you're big on salads at the diner," I said. "So I brought a couple."

I'd gone out of my way to get her all her favorites. I could play it like I wasn't sure what she liked, but I obviously knew basically everything she loved to eat. I'd packed typical salad making ingredients, but I'd also packed a small fruit salad and chocolate-covered peanuts as a dessert.

I set to work, putting together a little plate from what I'd packed in the basket, making sure she had enough of everything healthy. She watched me, looking fairly impressed. She knew my game.

"You guessed correctly with everything," she said as she watched me. "I knew you were clever from class, but this is a bit much, Emma. I'm beginning to think you've been spying on me."

"I'm just observant," I said with a shrug. I handed her the plate I'd made up for her. "And I like to make a good impression on a first date."

She thanked me and waited for me to make myself my own salad before she began to eat. We sat quietly for a few moments, just watching the waves. I was so comfortable even just sitting in silence with her that I was a little worried—we needed to seem awkward and unsure of ourselves for it to look like a first date. Some of the sailors and fishermen who worked at the docks had spotted us and I saw a few glancing over every once in a while. A few of them were clearly talking about us with the way they were looking over. They needed to think this was just the beginning of our relationship.