He hadn’t been sitting long when Summer showed up before him. Oddly enough, he hadn’t remembered the ability she possessed, merely thinking that, perhaps, he picked a good spot to be seen. Either way, at least Robert hadn’t made her trek her way through the entire park.
He hoped.
“Nice to see you again Summer. Hopefully I didn’t make you go all over looking for me. Should have been a bit more specific in where I’d be waiting. Least you found me, and I wasn’t left hanging because of my own stupidity.” Rising from the bench, he put on a smile and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I assume we’ll be staying here to talk?”
She laughed. “I cheated.” It was so good to see him. Swinging off her bike, she hit the kickstand and took a step closer, angling for a hug. “We can stay here or go somewhere else. I don’t actually care.” She could feel the blood rising into her face. “I … I assumed you would want more privacy, but I guess this is — ” She looked around, half-checking for other people, but also avoiding his gaze. Avoiding what he might be able to see in hers.
Which was silly, since she’d already confessed, but even so. Part of her was utterly convinced he’d come here just to let her down gently, and after today she’d never … be able to be in his presence again. She didn’t want him to see that fear, or the aching hope that lived beneath it.
“Um, I don’t — I mean — I said all the things I needed to say already,” she said at last. “I’d just be repeating myself. Why don’t you go ahead and, and say what you came here to say, then?”
… She cheated? Okay, he didn’t expect that. In fact, his face turned to one of confusion for a moment, as he thought about it. But, the expression was wiped away moments later when it struck him that Summer wasn’t exactly perfectly human. He needed to remember that, as it kept slipping from his mind. “Meeting somewhere public really doesn’t bother me. I haven’t been ambushed by fans, and as long as it isn’t made public that I’m here… they won’t come in droves like they normally do.”
Her gaze had faltered from him; it was plain to see. Probably looking around for anyone who might be one of those ‘random’ fans, but seeing how the gaze was cast downward, away from him, but not far enough upwards to notice anyone even being there. Typical.
“I’m fully aware that you’ve confessed all that you need to. I wasn’t expecting you to repeat yourself at all.” He wasn’t sure who was more shy here—himself or Summer. You think after 48 years on the planet he would have this down by now. “Ah, right. If you think I’m going to let you down, right here in the middle of Central Park, you’re mistaken, though I fear that’s why you refuse to look at me. Yes, I took notice. Now, I think… I think there may be something here… between us. But, I can’t be exactly sure unless we give it time to… flourish. Suppose that’s the right word. I’ve seen you here and there, but that’s not always enough. Perhaps we could… spend a day together?”
Summer opened her mouth when he said it was okay that they were out in public, then closed it. It wasn’t fans she was thinking of, exactly. But he kept talking, and she had to swallow hard against the sudden access of hope flooding her veins. He wanted to give it time to flourish?
Robert wanted to spend the day with her. Forcing her voice to steady, she grinned. “I think we can manage that. Now? That would be best — I … I already have something I have to do this weekend. I have to leave in the morning, actually.” Was that how it was going to be? A few stolen hours, here and there, between his work and hers? Too soon, too soon by far to worry about that.
“Give me a hug, to start with,” Summer demanded, stepping right up to him, breathing in the smell of Robert. “I don’t have a spare bike, but we can go rent one. Chase each other through the park?”