Love Evolution by Michelle Mankin Page A

music? ”
    She punched his arm playfully. “ I just might have to add Foo Fighters to the exception list! ”
    They put on gloves and buttoned up jackets before they hopped on the bikes and headed around the six mile promenade that hugged the coastal peninsula of Stanley Park. They made several stops along the way as they saw things that interested them. When they reached Prospect Point Lookout, they admired the view of Lion ’ s Gate Bridge. The fog hovering over the ocean concealed all but the top of Grouse Mountain.
    “ Hey, there ’ s a caf é here. Let ’ s go in and warm up, ” Marcus said, patting his face. “ Maybe grab a bite to eat. I ’ m starving, and my face is numb. ”
    “ Sure. My lips are frozen. ”  
    Marcus ’ eyes flicked briefly to Avery ’ s full lips. “ Yeah, your cheeks are red, too. ”
    They took seats on opposite sides of a table in front of a window at the back of the caf é .  It was crowded, but Marcus kept his sunglasses on, and no one bothered them. Avery took off her gloves. “ Me and my brilliant ideas.   I can barely feel my fingertips, ” she said, exhaling on her hands and rubbing them together.
    Marcus watched her for a moment, then blew on his own hands to warm them.
    After they ordered, Avery leaned forward. “ Have you seen the Foo Fighters ’ garage tour video? ”
    He shook his head.
    “ It ’ s brilliant. You have to see it. ” She moved into the chair next to him and scooted it over. Pulling her iTouch out of her pocket, she gave him one ear bud while taking the other. She scrolled down to the video and pushed play. Marcus put his sunglasses up on his head and leaned closer.
    Avery gave Marcus a sideways glance. He appeared to be intently watching the video, but she had seen it before and was distracted by his proximity. Lately, she had become obsessed with thoughts of kissing him, and his lips were within easy kissing distance right now. She would only have to lean in ever so slightly.
    Avery stared at his lips and sighed. Marcus turned his head to look at her. Guiltily, she drew her gaze away from his mouth. Had he noticed she ’ d been staring?
    “ Could you turn it up, Ace? ” he asked.
    She thought, ‘ If I turn it up any higher I ’ ll spontaneously combust. ’
    When she glanced down to scroll up the volume, his breath fanned over the back of her neck like a warm caress. Heat pooled to the center of her body, and her cheeks flushed. Avery immediately pulled the ear bud out of her ear and shoved the iTouch into Marcus ’ open hand. He gave her a questioning look. Slapping her hands over her red cheeks, she jumped up and blurted out, “ I have to go to the bathroom. ”  
    Luckily, it was a single stall restroom. She dashed in and locked the door. Leaning over the sink, she gripped the counter while her heart hammered in her chest. “ Holy Cow, ” she exhaled shakily. She scrubbed both hands over her head, causing her short hair to stick up all over.
    ‘ Avery, calm down, ’ she ordered herself. ‘ Breathe in, breathe out. ’ When her pulse slowed down to a post-marathon level, she splashed cold water over her face and ran her wet hands through her hair to smooth it down.
    She wondered what Marcus thought of her sudden departure.
    Marcus had watched Avery until he turned the corner out of sight, video completely forgotten. He wondered what was up. He ’ d been having trouble concentrating anyway. Sitting there, that close together, he ’ d gotten a big nose full of that tropically scented shampoo Avery favored. Why the hell would he even notice such a thing?
    He glanced up, startled out of his thoughts as the waitress arrived with the hot tea and sandwiches they ’ d ordered, Avery in her wake. 
    Taking a seat, Avery picked up the mug and blew over the rim of the steaming beverage. She avoided eye contact with Marcus, needing another minute to collect her thoughts. Staring out the window at the park grounds, she scrambled for something