Bayside Wishes

by Stacy Claflin

  Freya's eyes lit up with surprise. "Really? We've got to get you out more."

  Nico smiled. Did that mean she was planning on coming back soon? "I'm pretty busy with my job."

  "You still need a life with fun in it."

  "I'm happy focusing on my career."

  "Happy?" she asked. "But are you having fun?"

  "Isn't that the same thing?"

  Freya arched a brow.

  "I went to Logan's party, didn't I?"

  The server came over. "Are you two sure you don't want dessert?"

  Freya's eyes lit up and a slightly devious smile brightened her face.

  Nico's heart picked up speed. He wasn't sure if it was from not knowing what she was going to do or because of how her smile made him feel.

  She turned to the server. "We do. Bring us the craziest thing you have."

  The server laughed and flicked her bangs out of her eye. "Sure you don't want to see the dessert menu?"

  Freya shook her head. "We're living on the edge tonight. Surprise us."

  "Okay." The server laughed and took off.

  Nico leaned forward. "We're living life on the edge?"

  Freya nodded, a smile still tugging on her mouth. "We sure are, and we're going to share whatever she brings out."

  Nico laughed nervously. When was the last time he'd done anything spontaneous? Off the job, that was.

  "At least this isn't the city," Freya said. "We're probably pretty safe with whatever they bring out."

  "That's true. Are you always so adventurous?"

  She gave a little shrug. "When I need to be."

  Hopefully she didn't think he was a stick in the mud. He wanted to share a story of something he'd done crazy, but couldn't think of anything in recent history. Probably not since college. He squirmed, wondering what the beautiful model saw in him.

  Freya glanced over his shoulder and sat taller. "I think that might be ours."

  He turned, and heard the dessert before he saw it. A crackling noise sounded behind him. The server carried a mountainous slice of red, white, and blue cake. Several candles sat on top with blazing, crackling flames.

  People at other tables turned and gasped. Some pointed or giggled.

  Nico turned back to Freya. "Did you know about that?"

  She shook her head. "But I love it."

  The server set the piece of cake in between them and handed them each a fork. "Enjoy the Independence cake."

  Freya's eyes danced. "Oh, we will."

  "Thank you," Nico said, all too aware of people staring.

  "Have fun." The server left.

  The candles continued to crackle and sizzle. "Maybe we should blow them out."

  Freya shook her head. "It's part of the experience."

  The back of Nico's neck heated. "If you say so." He ignored the gawkers—something he'd grown accustomed to on the job—and took the first bite. Vanilla, cherry, and blueberry flavors simultaneously exploded in his mouth.

  "Is it good?" Freya asked, clearly entertained.

  His mouth was too full to answer, so he gestured for her to take a bite.

  Freya did, and a bit of frosting with colorful sprinkles got on her face just next to her mouth. She didn't seem to notice as her eyes widened from the bold taste. It made her all the more alluring.

  Nico's heart raced, but at the same time, he found himself loosening up and having the time of his life. He dug into the cake and took a big piece with some sort of cream filling.

  "Wait," Freya said. "You need to try some of the frosting." She dug into the cake with her fork, held up a big piece, and brought it closer to Nico.

  She wanted to feed him cake?

  Freya nodded and moved it toward his mouth.

  Nico leaned forward and took a bite.

  She pulled the fork back and spread frosting across his mouth.

  Nico chuckled. "Now we match."

  Pink colored her cheeks and she pulled out a small mirror. "You didn't tell me?" She laughed and wiped the frosting from her mouth.

  "It was cute." He wiped his own mouth, having a bit of a harder time than she had because of his facial hair.

  Her smiled widened. "That goes double for you. I should have gotten a picture while I had the chance."

  His eyes widened and the heat on the back of his neck intensified. "You wouldn't."

  Freya's eyes danced. "I certainly would."

  Nico reached over the cake and gave her his forkful of cake. She accepted, and he made sure to get some of the cream on her.

  She grinned. "You did that on purpose."

  He pulled out his phone and snapped a picture. "You gave me a great idea."

  Freya threw her head back and laughed, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Nico snapped another picture and then put his phone away.

  She sat back up straight and then dug into the cake. "Here, have another piece."

  Laughing, he shook his head. "You'll have to try harder than that to get me now."

  "I always like a good challenge." She stuck the cake into her mouth and gave him a look that let him know she planned to take him up on it before the night was over.

  Nico laughed, eager to see her try.

  He gave the waitress his card.

  Freya excused herself. "A girl has to powder her nose."

  Nico arched a brow. "Is that an expression or do you really?"

  "Maybe one day I'll tell you," she teased. "I'll meet you by the front door."

  "Sure." He double-checked his phone. The ringer was still accidentally off, but he had a new text from Morgan.

  His stomach dropped to the ground.

  Hey, baby. Still no vacation days traded, but I'm not giving up!

  Eight

  "Sorry, that show is sold out."

  Nico turned to Freya. "What do you want to do?"

  The man behind the booth spoke up. "You can purchase tickets for the next show. It starts in fifty minutes."

  Freya shrugged. "Sounds good to me."

  "We'll take two." Nico handed the man his card.

  As soon as he had the tickets, he turned back to Freya. "What do you want to do for the next almost-hour?"

  "We can wander some of the shops. It looks like some of them have changed since I was here last."

  Nico put the tickets in his wallet for safekeeping. "Sounds good to me."

  She took his hand and pulled him toward the stores. His pulse raced, but she didn't seem to think anything of holding his hand.

  A few people glanced at them, seeming surprised. Being on the force, he was well-known and he hadn't been on a single date since moving to Enchantment Bay. And he'd definitely never been out with someone as attractive as Freya.

  She stopped in front of a candle place. "You ever been in there?"

  Nico held in a snort. "No. The only candle I own is for when the power goes out."

  Freya stared at him for a moment. "Seriously?"

  "Just for emergencies."

  "You don't know what you're missing. Come on." She yanked on his arm—she was stronger than she looked—and dragged him inside. An array of aromas hit him all at once. He couldn't tell one from the other, but he liked the way they blended together.

  Almost like the unexpected pairing of him and Freya. And he liked that even better than the sweet scents tickling his nose.

  She sniffed the air. "I love that pomegranate is in this season."

  "Exactly."

  Freya gave him a playful shove. "I bet you don't even know what a pomegranate is."

  "Sure, I do. It's… a flower as lovely as you are."

  Her mouth gaped and she stared at him as though struggling to find words. "Well, I suppose it starts out as a flower. It's actually a really healthy fruit. You've really never heard of it?"

  Nico shrugged. "I don't spend much time in the fruit section of the grocery store."

  "You should try it sometime. I like to mix it with my yogurt."

  "Doesn't yogurt already have fruit?"
/>   Freya shook her head with an expression that he was a lost cause. "I don't eat flavored ones. Too full of sugar."

  "I see." Nico nodded and kept his face serious. "And that cake we just ate wasn't."

  Her eyes widened and her mouth curved down slightly. "Oh, right." She paused. "I guess you got me there. Well, come on. Let's find a candle for you. What kind of a scent do you want?"

  "Uh…" Anything that didn't smell like a locker room was good with him, but he didn't want to tell her that. "What would your suggestion be?"

  "Nothing floral. Too girly. Do you like cinnamon?"

  "Sure. On my toast."

  Laughing, she pulled him down an aisle and stopped in front of some red and brown candles. She sniffed one and handed it to him. Then another and another and another until he couldn't smell anything at all.

  "What do you think?" She stared at him expectantly.

  "They're definitely cinnamon."

  "No, I mean which one did you like best?"

  "Weren't they all the same?"

  "It's a good thing I'm here." Freya picked up one of the brown candles and sniffed it. "This one is the most masculine. I think you'll like it." She handed it to him and pulled him to another aisle.

  They sniffed candles that smelled like flowers on a tropical island. At least that was what he pictured when Freya stuffed on under his nose. He hadn't actually been to an island paradise.

  Before he knew it, they were walking out of the store, both carrying a fancy paper bag with a candle inside.

  "Promise me you'll light it when you get home," she said.

  "Okay."

  "I'm serious. Once you get used to a candle burning, you'll never go back."

  "I promise." Nico smiled. "Do you want to get some popcorn before we go to the movie?"

  Freya clutched her stomach. "I don't feel like I could eat for days after all that cake."

  "I know the feeling." Nico patted his stomach. It wasn't as firm as it once had been. He needed to start working out again. He made a mental note to start using the gym at work again so he'd be in top shape the next time Freya came into town.

  They made their way to the theater. It was already filling up.

  "Looks like a popular movie," he noted.

  "Opening weekend," Freya said. "Mind if we sit in the middle? I hate being too close or too far."

  "I don't mind." Nico was having such a good time, he would have stood on his head through the movie if that was what it would have taken for him to spend some more time with Freya. "I see a couple spots together."

  He took her hand and led her to them, barely beating another couple to them. He pushed up the armrest between them and indicated for her to sit first. She did and then pulled out her candle and sniffed. "I can't wait for my apartment to smell like this. Jules is going to love this."

  "Who's that?" Nico sat and put his arm around her.

  Freya scooted next to him. "My roommate and best friend. She loves anything tropical."

  Nico chuckled. "She must hate New York in the winter."

  Freya laughed. "You have no idea. She complains from morning 'til night about the cold."

  The lights dimmed and the previews started. "Sure you don't want some popcorn?" Nico asked. "Last chance."

  She leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'm happy here."

  So was Nico. He leaned his head against hers. Her hair was so soft and smelled like candied apples. He took a deep breath and held her scent.

  Nico found himself enjoying the romantic comedy, though he was certain it had a lot more to do with the company than anything else. He preferred more explosions and car chases in his movies. This one had none of that, but it didn't bother him. Not with Freya leaning against him.

  After the movie, Nico wanted to extend the date as long as he could. "Are you up for some coffee?"

  She rose from the seat and stretched. "I'd love to, it's just that I have my flight tomorrow. I haven't even thought about what time I need to get up."

  He got up and looped his arm through hers. They headed for the exit. "What time's your flight?"

  "I think it's around lunchtime, but I have to check in a couple hours early. Then there's the matter of catching a cab and—"

  "Or I can drive you."

  Freya stared at him. "But you have to work, don't you?"

  "I also have to take a lunch break."

  "Oh, I couldn't ask you to drive me on your break."

  "You're not asking. I'm offering."

  "Can you take a lunch break at nine or ten?"

  He held the door open for her, and they stepped out into the frigid night air. Stars shone in the clear sky overhead.

  "I'm the Sergeant."

  "Okay. If you don't mind."

  Extra time with her? "It's no trouble at all."

  She yawned. "Maybe coffee isn't such a bad idea, after all."

  Guilt tugged at Nico. As much as he wanted more time with her, the right thing would be to let her get some rest. "I should take you back to the house so you can sleep."

  "I can sleep on the plane tomorrow."

  "Are you sure?"

  She held his gaze and nodded.

  His face flushed. It was a good thing it was dark out, so she couldn't see him blushing. "I saw a little coffee place down the block. Sound good? Or do you want to go to the one where we met?"

  "Doesn't matter to me."

  "This one's less out of the way. Then I can get you home quicker."

  Freya leaned against him as they walked to the coffee house.

  "Are you sure you want to go? I don't want to keep you out if you're too tired."

  "It's fine. I'm just on eastern time—and I'm just leaning against you because you're warm."

  Nico chuckled. He'd take that.

  When they got to the coffee place, Freya ordered a decaf tea. Since she wasn't getting coffee, he ordered a hot chocolate for himself.

  They sat in a back corner table. She scooted her chair close to his and nursed her tea. "I had a great time tonight."

  Nico couldn't hold in the grin. "So did I. I don't suppose you're coming back to town anytime soon?"

  She held his gaze. Her pretty blue eyes seemed especially dark in this lighting. "No plans yet, but I think my parents' anniversary is coming up."

  "I think I'm free that weekend." Nico's grin widened. He probably looked goofy, but he didn't care.

  "Are you?" The corners of her mouth twitched. "I might be, too."

  Nine

  The doorbell rang.

  Freya stared at her empty suitcase. "Can you get the door?" she called to Dakota.

  Her sister poked her head in. "Is it that cute cop again?"

  A smile tugged on Freya's lips, diminishing her frustration. "Yeah. Tell him I'll be right down."

  Dakota arched a brow, looking at clothes strewn across the bed. "Sure." She disappeared.

  "I will," Freya called. She found some leggings and a sweater. It was going to be even colder in the Big Apple than here. Oregon snow was already mostly melted away. It would be some time before they were so lucky back home.

  Conversation drifted from downstairs. Freya quickly got dressed and threw the rest of her clothes into the luggage. She checked the mirror quickly and hurried downstairs, fighting with the suitcase.

  Nico flashed his handsome smile and took the suitcase from her. "Good morning. Looks like a great day to travel."

  "Let's hope." She smiled, already starting to feel better.

  "I've got coffee waiting for you in the car."

  Dakota glanced over and gave her a look of approval.

  "You're a saint." Freya threw her arms around him. He smelled of cinnamon—just like the candle she'd picked out. A smile crept on her face. "Did you like the candle?"

  He squeezed her back and nodded. "I did. I think it actually helped me to concentrate while I was going over some casework."

  Freya stepped back. "Speaking of your job, we'd better get going so you can get back."
/>   "I'm more worried about you making your plane."

  "Don't worry about Miss Punctuality," Dakota teased. "I've never met anyone so determined to be early for everything."

  "Thanks," Freya mumbled.

  Her sister wrapped her arms around her. "You know I love you. Have a safe flight, okay? Speaking of work, I need to get going, too. I have some new employees to train."

  "You still train people personally?" Freya asked. "I thought you'd have people to do that by now."

  "I do, but I like to spend time with them myself. I'm thinking of heading over to Kittle Falls soon, and I need to know that everyone is going to be able to do their job while I'm gone."

  "Tell everyone I say hi," Freya said. She opened the coat closet and slid on her jacket. "Oh, and keep an eye on Shale, will you?"

  "Oh, he'll be fine."

  Freya frowned. Why had she agreed to keep his secrets? "I think he's still having a hard time. You know, since losing Mia."

  Dakota's face clouded over. "I noticed he hasn't been himself, but I'd hoped that was just me." She stood taller. "I'll reach out to him. Don't worry, sweetie. We all love your twin as much as you do." Dakota turned to Nico. "Freya and Shale are so cute. They always act like they're the only ones who can take care of each other."

  "Just keep an eye out on him, please."

  "Is there something I should know?" Dakota arched a brow.

  "I just think he's having a harder time than he's letting on."

  "Poor guy." Dakota frowned. "I'll see if he's interested in joining me for my daily runs."

  Nico picked up the suitcase again. "And I'll get on him about applying at the local fire departments. There's nothing like a job to get your mind off things."

  "You guys are the best. Thank you."

  Dakota hugged her. "He has no choice but to open up. I won't leave him alone."

  "I can't tell you how much I appreciate that." Freya checked the time. "We'd better go."

  "Me, too." They all went outside and Dakota locked up. "Don't forget to call Mom and Dad when you land."

  Freya shook her head. "How could I forget? Mom already texted me."

  Dakota gave her another hug and ran to her car, mumbling about the cold.

  "She should visit New York," Freya said.

  "You should fly her out," Nico agreed. "Then she can see what snow really looks like." He held the door open for her and Freya climbed in. Two cups of coffee sat in the cup holders.