Chapter Forty-Seven

“I-is this for us?” I asked. “Because I don’t want to be crashing in on somebody else’s date.”

Nicholas laughed. “Of course it’s ours, silly.”

“But how?”

He grinned. “I have my own ways. And people who wouldn’t mind paying back a few small favors.” He held out his hand to mine. I took it and stepped over the lanterns and onto the mat.

We sat down facing the beach. Nick shrugged out of his jacket, and then gently, he put it over my shoulders. Only then did I realize that I was feeling rather cold. I hugged Nick’s jacket to myself.

Nick turned to one side of the mat. There was a basket there and I watched him pull out two wine glasses and a bottle of Merlot.

“Oh my God.” I took a deep breath. “Is it even legal to drink here?”

He shrugged innocently. “Let’s give them three hours to get on to us. That was how long the law enforcement took the last time before they caught us vandalizing the walls.” There was a twinkle in his eyes, and a mischievous look on his face. I could really tell he