Christian followed Carolyn's gaze to the table they'd sat earlier. It was now occupied by a couple in their thirties who were smiling and kissing each other, but he could see that there was no purse on the table.
"Oh, pretty lady!"
Christian turned a scowl on the bartender at the call and followed when Carolyn headed that way.
"You forgot this." Smiling widely, the man reached under the bar to retrieve a small black purse.
"Oh, thank you!" Carolyn rushed the last few feet to claim it, laughing and relaxed again. "I was afraid it was gone for good when I didn't see it there."
"No. I saw it when I was clearing the table and brought it here. I knew you would come back for it," the bartender assured her.
"Thank you," Carolyn opened her purse. "Let me tip you."
"No, no, you buy a drink, I take a tip, but otherwise, it's not necessary."
"Oh." Carolyn frowned.
"Let's have a drink then," Christian said, his scowl fading as the man inadvertently offered him an opportunity to get to spend more time with Carolyn.
"Oh, but I have to get up early to meet Genie for breakfast before she starts work," she said reluctantly.
"One drink," Christian coaxed.
Carolyn hesitated, then nodded, "All right then. But I can't stay long."
"Right. We'll be fast," Christian assured her.
Carolyn turned to the bartender, taking out her money.
"I'll have a white wine, please, and whatever he's having."
Christian caught her hand and urged her away. "I'll get it."
"But-"
"I'll tip him. Besides, I want something to eat. I haven't eaten in a while." For about three and a half centuries, he added silently as his eye was caught by a passing waitress with a tray of something giving off the most delectable smells.
"Oh." She hesitated.
"Go find us a table. I'll follow with the drinks." Christian watched as Carolyn turned to survey the available tables. When she started to move off, he pulled out his wallet and asked the bartender. "What's good?"
"Our wraps are very popular," he said at once.
"Two of those then, please, and-"
He paused, at a loss as to what to order to drink. It had been a while since he'd indulged. Smiling wryly, he said, "Whatever your most popular drink is."
Nodding, the bartender accepted his money and said, "Go sit down. I will bring your drinks and change."
"No change. Just the drinks," Christian said and turned to follow the path Carolyn had taken. She'd found a table in the corner along the rail overlooking the beach and was peering out over the sand and sea when he joined her.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said on a little sigh.
"Yes," he agreed without bothering to look. She was the most beautiful thing there was here for him to see. His lifemate. It made her more precious than diamonds and more beautiful than the loveliest flower to him.
Carolyn turned and smiled at him. "So tell me how you got into music."
Christian hesitated and frowned. She needed to get to know him to trust him. The problem was in this area, as with most others, he had to be careful. He couldn't tell her he'd been born in the late 15th century, etc. etc.