The sun set behind Evan as he walked up and down the docks, inspecting the boats before they left the marina for the flotilla. The boards creaked under his weight. He rested his palm on one of the pilings towering by the bulkhead. With only one week to go until Christmas, Harpers Point was operating on high Christmas spirit. Tonight’s event was another main attraction for visitors across the state. The marina was only this busy during the summer. It was good to see the slips full and people strolling hand-in-hand before the flotilla started.

“Looking good, Mayor,” Shep Howard waved from his skiff. He had added a wreath to the center console and rigged a net design with Christmas lights. Evan wasn’t sure, but once it was dark, he thought it might be in the shape of a giant crab with a Santa hat.

He waved in return. “I like your wreath, Shep.” He didn’t want to get the sea animal wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time tonight sometime designed a dolphin that was mistaken for a ghost or a holiday seahorse that looked more like a hotdog on a stick.

The boats ranged in size from small ones like Shep’s Market float to monstrous yacht-sized vessels. The flotilla had grown in such rapid popularity over the past five years that the float committee had to cap the number of boats that could enter. Otherwise, it would take five hours just to get the boats in the harbor for the judges to view them.

It was another complaint Evan dealt with during the week. Boat owners who received rejection letters for their boats showed up at City Hall ready to make a case to be entered in the water parade.

He watched as Shep put his boat in reverse and careened out of the marina. He left a puff of diesel in his wake. The old timer was on his way to join the rest of the parade. The boats lined up beyond the point before they cruised into downtown.

Evan pulled on his jacket and slid the gloves from his pockets. It was cold on the water. He hoped Cami would have a good time tonight despite the cold. He looked at his watch, realizing he needed to pick her up. The had to board his boat in the next thirty minutes. He was riding on the head boat for the festivities.

It was a short walk to The Sweet Treat from the marina. Every place was a short walk in Harpers Point. He took the route around to the back of the shop and climbed the stairs to Cami’s second floor apartment. He knocked on the door.

“Hold on,” she called from the other side. “Almost ready. Sorry.”

They had seen each other during the week since the night Cami came over and decorated the tree. One morning he dropped off coffee and muffins from the bakery. Another day Cami had met him at Hurricanes for lunch. They had crossed paths at his grandmother’s house again.

But somehow this moment seemed different. It was unlike any of the other days during the week. It was unlike any other day in twelve years. This was a date. And he hadn’t been on one of those with Cami since they were teenagers. Since they were engaged. Since he lost her.

The door flung open and she stood in front of him. He felt the air squeezed from his lungs. She looked like a goddess. His goddess.

“Hi.”

She wore a long light blue wool coat with white gloves and a matching scarf. She held a hat in her hands and fastened it over her auburn hair, just covering her ears.

“Do you think I’ll be warm enough?” she asked.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her. How could he? She was stunning. There were still remnants of the girl he had fallen in love with, but he saw Cami with new eyes.

“Claudine packed extra blankets on the boat. I think you’ll be ok. Claudine tends to be a worrier if you haven’t noticed.”

“Claudine?”

He nodded. “We’re riding on the Francis Realty boat. She took care of the decorations. Wait until you see it.” The thing looked like a floating Christmas greenhouse. It was covered in holly, poinsettias, and mistletoe. Somewhere in there had to be lights, or else it wouldn’t show up on the water at night. He just hadn’t seen them.

“Oh. Wow.” Her eyes widened. “Then I’m sure it’s going to be the prize-winning float.” Claudine doesn’t do anything half-ass.

Evan chuckled. “How could it not be, with you on it?”

God, she was even prettier when she blushed. “I meant because of the decorations.”

“I know exactly what you meant. But who cares about a boat when you’re this pretty?” He had to stop staring. He knew he was falling harder and faster than he should, and this was only the first date. If they didn’t have to board for the parade and they weren’t wearing layers of coats and scarves, he’d take her back inside her apartment and give her more orgasms than she could count. But not right now. He’d have to wait until after the flotilla.

He extended his hand to escort her down the stairs. Her fingers clutched around his.

“I think I’m a little nervous,” she admitted.

“Why?” They reached the bottom landing and headed toward the marina.

“It’s silly really. It’s nothing.”

She threaded her arm through the crook of his elbow, and her pulled her tightly to his side while they strolled to the boat.

“Tell me,” he urged. “If it’s not about a town ordinance to demand white lights for everyone, or to ban the use of holly over mistletoe at Christmas, I’m sure I won’t think it’s silly.”

Cami giggled. “Are those actual problems you deal with?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” He pressed his lips together. “People are fucking crazy around here.”

“Ok, then maybe it’s not that silly.”

He stopped her in the parking lot and planted his hands on her shoulders. “What’s going on?”

She sighed. “Ever since I came back I feel like people are watching me. And it’s different than singing on a big stage, or going to an awards show. These are people who’ve known me since I was born. It’s like they don’t trust me anymore, but they can’t help but have to accept me. And tonight it’s on display. It’s on your boat.” Her eyebrows knitted together.

“I wasn’t expecting that. I thought maybe you were worried about getting seasick during the flotilla.”

She dropped her head. “I’m sorry. It’s a big night for you. This is what I have to deal with, right? I’m the one who left. I have to regain everyone’s trust.”

“Hey.” He tipped her chin toward him. “If I can trust you again, so can they.”

“You think so?”

He nodded. “I know so.” He paused. “People like to pretend that I came home from my last deployment and there was some kind of welcome home hero parade, or that I was just automatically named as mayor, but it wasn’t like that.”

“That can’t be. You’re the town golden boy.”

He shook his head. “Far from it. They didn’t know how to act around me. They didn’t know what to say. They couldn’t relate to what I had been through. Who could? And instead of embracing me, I think it made everyone uncomfortable so they left me alone. Not to be malicious or rude, but no one leaves Harpers Point. And even though I was fighting for my country, I couldn’t help but get the feeling they thought I somehow abandoned them.”

“Then how did you end up running for mayor?” she asked.

Evan redirected Cami out of the way of a truck that was trying to pull in the parking lot.

“It was my grandmother.”

“Miss Lilly? But how?”

“It wasn’t like she convinced me to do it. She wouldn’t have thought of it,” he tried to explain. “When I came back, I couldn’t help but wonder if things would have been different for her if she had access to medical specialists or a study or therapists who specialized in memory loss. She was only the beginning. This town needed first responders. As much as we like to pretend it’s the safest place in North Carolina, it needed law enforcement.” He sighed. “I knew the status quo couldn’t go on any longer. I don’t think I saw it when I lived here. No one does, but after being gone so long it was clear. Hamp and I talked about it one night at Ben’s bar and we hatched a plan He ended up helping me run my campaign.”

There was a long silence.

“I think you’re the best mayor this town has ever seen,” she whispered.

He huffed. “I don’t know about that.”

“I do.”

He wanted to lean down and drink in her lips, but a crowd had started to gather on the docks. They were being watched. Instead, Evan grabbed her hand.

“Come on. We need to board and get this flotilla started. Feeling any better?” He didn’t know if he said anything that would ease her anxiety. It wasn’t easy coming home. He could relate. He hoped he had at least explained that much to her.

She nodded. “I think so.”

“Good. We’re going to have fun tonight. I mentioned the oyster roast, didn’t I?”

They walked along the boardwalk toward the Peddlestone Realty boat.

“What oyster roast?”

“Hamp, Ben, and some of the guys are having one at the point after the parade. I thought we could join them.”

She grinned. “I haven’t been to an oyster roast in forever. It would be fun.”

They stopped in front of Claudine. Lexi Hale from the Cove Courier was next to her, a camera draped around her neck.

“Oh look at you two,” Claudine practically squealed.

Evan cleared his throat. “Evening Claudine. Lexi.”

“Your float is beautiful,” Cami added. “I love all the greenery.”

“Thank you, honey. I designed it myself and Lottie did the work. With you two onboard, I could get first prize.” She squeezed her hands together. “I’ve been chasing that first place ribbon the past three years.”

Evan ignored the comment and stepped on the bow, carefully walking to the stern where he could better help Cami board the boat. She was wearing boots with high heels. Not exactly what he considered ship wear.

She took his hand and he helped lower her to the floor.

“Good evening, Mayor,” Kyle Collins greeted them. “I’m your captain this evening.”

“Thanks, Kyle.” He slapped him on the back. Kyle ran the marina’s boat shop.

“Hi, Kyle.” Cami smiled.

“Haven’t seen you in a while. Not since you ran off to be a big singer.”

Her eyes lowered, and Evan quickly took her hand. “We’ll sit up front, Kyle.” He pointed to the bow. “Just take her slow.”

“Got it, Mayor.”

Claudine shouted from the docks, “There are lots of blankets and a full thermos of hot cocoa.”

“Thanks, Claudine.” They waved as Kyle shoved them off and backed out of the slip.

The breeze off the water was frigid. Cami shivered next to him.

“Here, let’s get you wrapped up.”

He dove into the bag Claudine had packed and pulled out a red and white plaid blanket lined with fleece. He placed it over Cami’s lap.

“And some hot chocolate?” He held up the thermos and a couple of mugs with reindeer on them. He saw Claudine’s logo on the opposite side.

“Yes, please.” She rubbed her hands together.

He sat next to her, wrapping an arm against her shoulder. “Better?”

She nodded. “I think I can at least pretend I’m warm now.”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry. Kyle has to take it slow for the flotilla. It will barely feel like we’re moving.”

“Holy shit.”

“What? What is it?” he asked.

Cami pointed. “Look.”

As they steered away from the marina on their way to the flotilla line up beyond the point, they passed rows and rows of piers. People were already waiting for the parade to start, huddled on the docks with blankets. Kids were laughing and twirling in front on anxious parents. Neighbors waved as they sailed by.

“I thought everyone would be watching from the marina.”

Evan squeezed her arm. “I think people like to watch the flotilla from wherever they can find a spot.”

He didn’t care where other people watched the parade. He knew he had the best view in Harpers Point. He was next to Cami.