colorful squares, they won’t ever be used. Except one, the tiny map one.
When I notice him looking at the time again, I tell him he needs to go before I get him in trouble. He kisses me on the nose. “Have fun with Addie.”
“How long will you be gone?”
He flicks his wrist, looking at his watch again, internally calculating. “Today’s an off day, so I’ll be working out and going over some film. I should be finished by dinner. Let’s plan to meet at six at my place?” I nod. “Buy something sexy for dinner tonight.”
“How in the world do I wear something sexy when I have on ten layers of clothes?” I laugh, holding out my arms that feel like I’m wearing five pounds of clothes on each side.
He digs his hand in my hair and tugs, sending a tingle down my spine. “I’m sure you’ll be creative.”
I twist my lips. “I accept that challenge.”
His phone dings and he grunts when he sees it's one of his teammates asking where the heck he’s at. “Whiskey, I gotta go.” He halts after just one step. “I almost forgot, give these to Addie.” He pulls out his wallet and hands me two tickets to the game this weekend. “I have the other ticket for you. Tell them to pick you up. I promise next week, it’s just me and you, babe.”
The snow crunches under our boots as we stroll the busy streets. I’m overwhelmed by how everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere. It makes sense why foreigners would always say we lived on island time. Addie’s a great tour guide. And it’s refreshing not having someone constantly ask, or not ask, to take your picture. It’s hard to get used to. Am I supposed to pose? Smile? Act like they’re not there?
A closed storefront catches my eye and I stop, take a step backward so I can see the turquoise and white polka dot sign and then stare inside. Empty display cases that once held pastries makes me sad.
“I wonder why the bakery closed.”
A constant flow of people passes us, so it’s not a lack of customers. “Places come and go all the time down here. Maybe they moved to a better location or a bigger place.”
A place like this would be perfect for me. Dreams I’d talk myself out of sneak their way back into my mind and I shake them out as quick as they arrived. Why get worked up over something that can’t happen anytime soon?
“Is that something you want to do? Open a bakery?” Addie asks, glancing inside, too.
I sigh. “Someday, when I leave the island. I’m just not sure where or how I’d do it. For the time being, I have to stay in Tahiti.”
“Tell me about your home? After we’re done having a million kids, I’m making Aiden take me.”
I tell her all the best things. No need to include the things I hate. While walking, we pass a store that has a beautiful black lingerie set in the window and I have an idea. Might as well make this one layer. I pull Addie into the store.
An hour later we’re outside again, braving the cold. I don’t know if I’m getting used to it, or I’ve become numb. “This is the cutest packaging,” I say, holding up the black and pink bag with black tissue. I should do a cuter box for my cookies.
“Ryker is taking me out tonight. Do you know a place I can find something?”
“Fancy?”
I lift a shoulder, not knowing what fancy is like here. “He said sexy.”
She rolls her eyes. “Of course he did. He’s a man. Well, I have the perfect place to get a date-night outfit.”
Thankfully, not too long later, I’m defrosting my brittle bones again in a warm shop. The lights shine bright in the modern space, filled with colorful clothes against sharp lines and glossy-white walls and fixtures. The hint of music plays in the background.
“Addison, what brings you in?” A man, dressed in a perfectly tailored blue suit, approaches with his arms out wide. He wraps them around Addison and glances over at me with intrigue.
“Hey, Roberto. I’m not here for me today. This is my friend Aspen. She needs an outfit for tonight.”
“Give me your coat,” he demands abruptly. I shiver thinking about taking it off, but I do as I’m told, handing it to Addie.
His eyes scan me from head to toe. I stand motionless in the middle of the store.