Part 2 (1/2)
As she climbed the stairs up onto the pier, Lynn felt the rhythm of the music run through her body. She began swaying her hips and moving her body to the beat as they walked into the crowd.
Matt stopped and called out, ”Singing is one thing, but if you're going to do that, I'm not going to be seen with you.”
Chris laughed, glad that she had controlled her urge to move with the music. Lynn however ignored Matt's sarcasm and continued on her way through the crowd. Matt shook his head, placed his hands on Chris's shoulders, and prodded her to follow the bouncing body ahead.
The threesome moved along until they came to a stand selling fresh eggplant. Matt stopped and began speaking with the man behind the table.
Lynn put her hands on her hips and turned to Chris. ”Why did he want to stop here? He doesn't even like eggplant!” Then eyeing the man selling the vegetables, she nudged Chris, and smiled. ”Oh, that's why. Come on, let's let him flirt awhile.”
Chris followed Lynn through the booths of fresh fruits and vegetables while Lynn paused, examining the contents on each table. Finally, Lynn found some items worthy of her purchase.
”Do you like squash?” Lynn asked Chris.
Chris nodded as Lynn placed a plastic bag into her hands. ”Go pick some out over there,” she said, pointing to the far end of the table containing several varieties.
Chris walked to the end of the booth, selected several different types of the vegetable, and returned to Lynn's side to find her haggling with the vendor.
Chris whispered in Lynn's ear, ”Let me handle this.”
Lynn stepped aside, letting Chris argue with the man. After a few seconds, Chris had the price of the vegetables reduced by three dollars. Gathering up the bags, the two left the booth happy.
”Where did you learn to do that?” Lynn asked in amazement.
”I've lived in a lot of different places, even overseas. I learned to do that over in France. If you didn't learn, they'd rob you blind.”
”Well, I am very impressed,” Lynn responded. This woman is full of surprises, she thought.
Strolling over to the next booth, Lynn picked up a slice of watermelon from a sampler tray and took a bite. ”Mmm* this is great!” Cupping a hand under Chris's chin to stop any runaway juice, Lynn offered the slice to her. ”Chris, you've got to try this!” Chris took a bite; the juice ran down her chin but was stopped by Lynn's awaiting hand. Lynn gendy wiped away the dripping juice on Chris's chin with her thumb. Then, realizing that this motion had a tone of a seductive nature, she turned her attention to the fruit before her.
”That is so sweet!” Chris agreed as she wiped the remaining liquid from her chin with the back of her hand.
After surveying the lot of watermelons, Lynn made her choice, pulled some cash out, paid the vendor, and slung the melon onto her shoulder.
The two continued on their way. Lynn, keeping her eye on Matt's whereabouts, smiled and asked Chris, ”You think he'll have the nerve to ask for a date?”
When she received no response, she turned around to find Chris had stopped to engage in conversation with someone. Upon second glance, Lynn recognized him as a local playboy. Immediately she walked over to the two.
”Leave her alone, Dave!” Lynn called out to the man.
Dave lifted his hands in a form of surrender and backed away. ”Sorry, I didn't realize she was with you, Lynn. She doesn't look like a d.y.k.e,”
Lynn shook her head. ”She's not a d.y.k.e, Dave. But she may decide to switch sides after she's gone out with you!”
Dave laughed nervously, turned, and walked away.
Lynn looked at Chris with an apologetic smile. ”Sorry, but he's a real loser, you can do a lot better than him.”
Chris nodded. Just then Matt rejoined the two.
”Was Dave hitting on her?” he asked. Turning, he put his arm around Chris. ”You don't want anything to do with him, honest.”
Matt looked over at Lynn, who had suddenly focused on something else. ”Hey, look! Caramel apples!” Handing him the watermelon and other bags, she was drawn to the booth several yards away.
Matt moaned to Chris, ”She loves caramel apples.”
Chris broke into a smile and followed Lynn. ”Me, too!”
Lynn was already at the booth when Chris caught up with her. ”One,” requested Lynn.
”Make that two,” Chris added.
”With or without nuts?” the vendor asked.
Lynn looked at Chris for a response. ”With,” Chris replied.
”One with, one without,” Lynn answered the man, then turning to Chris, explained, ”I don't like nuts.”
Chris laughed, wondering if there was a double meaning in that statement.
Lynn smiled as she realized what Chris had found humorous and handed the man four dollars. Looking over at Chris, who was holding out some cash, Lynn pushed away her hand. ”My treat.”
Matt came from behind the two. ”Are you ready to go now?”
Lynn smiled. ”I don't know, are you ready to stop flirting now?”
Matt blushed. ”His name is Gregg.”
”Well, did you get his number?”
Matt shook his head. ”I couldn't get up the nerve.”
Lynn laughed, motioned for Chris to go ahead of her, and followed the two out of the crowd.
The threesome climbed down the stairs back onto the sand. The sky had turned from dark blue to black. The moonlight danced across the rolling tide. A cool breeze whispered through the air. The three walked along in the dim light, the two women content with their apples.
”Boy, it does get land of chilly down here at night.” Chris said, rubbing her arms.
”I told you,” Lynn said as she untied her jacket from around her waist and hung it around Chris's shoulders.
”Thanks,” Chris said shyly.
Matt poked Lynn in the ribs. ”Very chivalrous of you,” he smirked.
Lynn answered his comment with a slap to the back of his head.
”Ouch, you've been kind of physical tonight, haven't you?” he whined, rubbing his head.