"Ahoy there!"

I look up to see Colin coming down the dock towards me.

The other day when he texted me about going on a "real" date I was conflicted. On one hand, I'm not here in France for that much longer, but on the other hand, I want to live without regrets. And who in their right mind wouldn't accept a date from a hot British actor?

So, I had texted him back with, *So glad we "bumped" into each other again. I'd love to.*

And he had answered back with, *We wrap up filming in the next couple of days. Are you busy Wednesday? I'm staying at Saint-Malo and I'd love to take you out on my boat."

*Enticing! Are we talking about a yacht Mr. McNeil or a rowboat?* I was indeed imagining a small sailboat and meant it as a joke. I may or may not have a little bit of a sailboat fantasy. And I might have a tiny J. Crew obsession as well. Come to think of it, a J. Crew model on a sailboat is most definitely a fantasy of mine.

But he had responded with, *Ms. Sloan only the finest for such a lady as yourself. A yacht of course. Hopefully, that's ok.*

I knew what response he was looking for and had texted back *A yacht! What more could a girl ask for?*

And that's how I found myself on the docks of Saint-Malo, the gentle sea breeze rustling my striped summer dress.

"Colin, you look like you're ready for a day on a yacht!" I look at his ensemble as he approaches - Khaki shorts, button-up shirt, Sperry shoes. Wearing an easy smile, and Ray-Ban sunglasses, he looks like he just stepped out of a J.Crew ad.

He pulls me into a quick embrace and then points up to the giant yacht anchored at the dock beside us, keeping his arm around my waist. "So, are you ready for an adventure?"

"I am." I smile up at him and take a deep breath as he takes my hand. To an adventure, I think to myself.

I'm nothing short of amazed as Colin gives me a tour of the boat. There's a full dining room, expansive bedrooms, even an entertainment room. It's fully staffed and the two of us are the only passengers for the whole day. One of the staff appears and hands us both a glass of champagne.

"I was thinking of dinner on the deck here later versus the dining room since it's a beautiful day. And I know you have a two-plus hour drive home, so you just let me know when you need to leave."

I nod, still taking our surroundings in.

"Thanks for meeting me here in Saint-Malo, by the way," he continues. "It's a tight schedule we're on with filming and I wasn't sure what we could do in Locquirec anyways. Certainly not this right?" He motions around him. 

"No," I answer simply, not sure what to say. I may be out of my league here, I can't help but think.

"Well, cheers Lara to an actual real date," he says, extending his champagne glass into the air to meet mine.

Another waiter comes by with a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries. Damn, why do I feel like I'm on an episode of the Bachelor right now? I think to myself. Looking around I can't help but wonder what his everyday life might be like.

"So, do you usually have your yacht closer to home?" I ask. "And where is home for you, by the way? I never asked."

"I have a confession to make," he answers. "The boat belongs to a friend of mine who owes me a favor."

"I'm not any less impressed just so you know."

He laughs. "Glad to hear it. I would love to own something similar one day but it's a lot of upkeep and I travel too much. And to answer your question, home for me is in London, although I spend a good amount of time in Scotland where my family lives."

"Oh, you're from Scotland? That explains your accent then, I was wondering about it."

"Yes, you and everyone else." He laughs good-naturedly. "I've spent most of my life in London but growing up in Scotland that accent still lingers. My family makes fun of me for my British inflections. Especially my brother," he adds affectionately.

"Is he an actor also or are you the only one in the family?" I can't imagine this man in front of me being made fun of by anyone.

"Oh, I'm the only one, another thing they tease me for," he admits with a smile. "I come from a family of accountants. They all wonder where I've come from! But it's all in good fun, we're very close." The look on his face shows his fondness for his family which warms my heart.

"So how is the movie going? Are you still filming at Mont Saint-Michel?"

"We just wrapped up there. I have a couple of days off and then we're off to the Loire Valley to film at a couple of chateaus. And then it's a wrap."

"Oh, so the movie's almost done? What's the name of it so I can keep an eye out for it?"

"The Kings Ransom is the working title right now but that could change before its release."

"What's it about?" I take another chocolate covered strawberry and another sip of champagne, suddenly feeling more at ease.

"It's mainly about the fallout from the Arthur and Guinevere story and the ramifications of their love gone sour. A love story, but plenty of heartache thrown in for good measure."

"That sounds interesting! I'm reading Lady of the Lake right now. It's connected to that story, although I have to admit I'm not very versed in Arthurian legend."

"You're reading Sir Walter Scott," he says, surprised. "I'm impressed! So, do you want to go to the opening with me?"

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "Opening as in the movie premiere?" I smile and add teasingly, "Is that your idea of a third date?"

"Ha! Well, the premiere won't be for another few months, so I hope I don't have to wait that long for a third date," he says with a wink.

I smile shyly and take another sip of champagne, feeling myself blush. I have no idea what I'll be doing in a week much less months from now, I realize. Commitment isn't my forte right now.

Suddenly, Colin jumps up and takes my hand, lifting me to my feet. "We're casting off!"

I can feel the boat start to move as he leads me to the edge of the railing. We watch as the docks of Saint-Malo grow smaller and smaller in the distance. 

He turns to me with a smile. "Are you ready for what I have planned next?"

"Yes, but don't feel like you have to do too much. I could stay here all day eating strawberries and drinking champagne and be perfectly happy!"

"Well, I'm planning on impressing you enough so that you let me stick around, remember? Don't think I've forgotten you're leaving the continent soon."

I laugh and let him take my hand as he leads me below the deck and down a hallway. Turning the corner, we find ourselves in the galley.

There's a table set up with cooking instruments and a chef behind a counter, seemingly waiting for us.

"What are we doing here?" I whisper, not sure if we're supposed to be in the kitchen.

"It's a cooking class. Since we're in France I thought we'd learn how to make some French cuisine."

"Oh, how fun and thoughtful!" I exclaim. "I'm game as long as it's not a souffle," I add jokingly, looking at the supplies in front of us. Even though I meant it as a joke I see Colin's face fall. Oh shit! Why did I say that?

I try and recover, and say hurriedly, "Umm, I just mean the thought of making a souffle makes me emotional...cause of...cause of my grandmother."

"Oh. Well, we can learn to make something else."

God, awful save Lara, I think to myself with chagrin. "No that's ok. I would love to learn!"

"Are you sure?" he asks with concern.

"Yes absolutely! Nothing would make me happier!" I smile, absolutely mortified at my blunder.

We take turns with the instructions the chef gives us as we follow along with his steps. I've never had a one-on-one cooking lesson like this and it's fun. I don't let Colin know that I already know how to make a souffle, or that I could make one in my sleep. It's one of the many things Mémé taught me to make growing up. She cooked much more than my mother, so whenever she would visit, Jade and I would always get a crash-course in making whatever she was cooking or baking.

An hour later and just a little dustier from flour and sugar, Colin asks, "Are you hungry at all? The chef will bring us our creations as well as dinner when we're ready."

"Sure, but can I clean up first?" I ask, convinced I have flour on my face.

He points me to the bathroom, and then we move above deck again. The afternoon has given way to dusk, the lights from the boat reflecting in a dreamy haze off the water.

Candles flicker around a cozy seating area that has been set up for us, with a low table filled with an assortment of appetizers. Realizing how hungry I am, I immediately dig into the shrimp cocktail once we're seated.

"So, when you return home, is that it, no coming back? What will you do with your grandmother's cottage?" Colin asks, grabbing one more flute of champagne for each of us. 

"That's a good question. I'll be going back to Portland, but I have no idea what that means or where I'll go from there," I answer honestly.

"I don't want to take away from what you're going through but in a way, you get a fresh start in a way?"

"Yeah, possibly. I still am having a hard time knowing I won't be involved in the company I started."

Colin nods with understanding and then looks sheepishly at me. "So when we grabbed that drink in Mont Saint-Michel you mentioned your ex fired you. I don't mean to pry, but I have been a little curious about what you meant."

Deciding to rip off the band-aid, I delve into an explanation; "So my ex-husband and I started a company together, and well...I put myself in a position where I could be fired and that's what happened, unfortunately. But the lawyers think he used a loophole in our agreement we had after our divorce."

Colin looks surprised.

Realizing it wasn't a given when I said ex before I meant ex-husband, I ask tentatively, "Do you mind that I've been married before?"

He shakes his head and then takes my hand. "Lara, it's just you and me, right here right now. That's all I care about."

My heart skips a beat as he leans down and claims my lips. Gently and softly he kisses me, and I gladly kiss him back. As I lean closer into his chest he deepens the kiss, pushing me back against the cushions, his mouth not leaving mine.

I hear someone clear their throat slightly and tear away from Colin's lips to see our server looking everywhere but at us.

Colin moves his head back with a smile and sits back up, smoothing out his shirt. "Ok I have one more surprise for you," he says excitedly.

A woman and man appear on the deck, holding instruments, including my favorite – a cello.

I look over at Colin with the biggest grin. "Are you for real? I absolutely love the cello!"

"Good, so do I! I'm glad to find we have that in common," he says, admiration in his clear blue eyes.

One of the staff appears and lights more candles at our table and throughout the deck. Dusk has given way to night and the effect is cozy and intimate despite being on such a large boat. Then more staff appear and place dinner before us.

"This looks amazing!" I gasp, surveying the assortment of dishes. "There are so many choices!"

"I'm glad. I wasn't sure what you would want to eat so I had them make a few options."

"I might eat a little bit of everything!"

The music swells as we begin to eat.

"A private concert. Wow, you did go all out." This has got to be the best date I've ever been on, I think. "I can't shake the feeling that I'm Cinderella at the ball – this is all too perfect."

Colin grins with a playful twinkle in his eye. "Good, that's my goal. A little sweeping you off your feet action."

I smile and take another bite of food. I wonder if this is normal for him, to sweep women off their feet like this. Throughout dinner, we fall into easy conversation - about our families, about all the places we've traveled, our hobbies. He's easy to talk to and I find myself opening up a bit more than I usually do. As we finish dinner a waiter appears and asks if we'd like dessert.

"You go right ahead," I say. "I'm honestly so stuffed. I don't think I've eaten this much food in my life." I laugh, noticing how much food is still left. But I can't eat another bite.

"I'm fine as well. I'd offer you another drink instead, but I know you have to drive."

I nod my head in agreement and then grab my phone out of my purse to check the time. I knew it was getting late, but it's even later than I thought.

"I should probably head home actually," I say, just a tad bit disappointed to have this date come to an end.

"I'll walk you to your car," Colin says, getting up and offering me his hand.

I grab my purse and shiver in the evening coolness.

"Hold on one sec. I'll be right back." He disappears below deck for a while and then comes back with what looks like a vintage bomber jacket.

"Here, wear this," he says, putting it around my shoulders.

"Oh, thank you. It looks vintage though, are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It's one of my favorite things I got to keep from a film from a couple of years ago. I don't want you to get cold and well.... It'll give me an excuse to see you again."

I smile to myself as he grabs my hand and leads me off the boat onto the dock. We make our way back to my car, both silent, hands interlocked.

My mind swirls with a million doubts, but I know I'll regret it if I don't just go for it. So I say, "I know your film schedule is crazy, but I'm having a little going away dinner with friends this Saturday. I'd love for you to come if you're able."

We come to a stop at my car, and Colin looks down at me with a grin. "Nothing would make me happier." He steps closer and caresses my cheek, then kisses me softly before pulling away. "I'm looking forward to seeing you again Lara."

"Thank you for such a wonderful day," I say with a smile.

He squeezes my hand as I move to get into my car. "Drive safe." He waves and then watches me, his hands in his pockets as I back up and drive off.

Playing the day back in my mind as I drive home, I press my hand to my lips. That kiss.

Did you like it, Lara? My nagging inner voice asks.

Yes, I sure did, I answer. No complaints here!

But did you really like it?

Yes! What was there not to like? It was perfect. The most perfect kiss from one of the hottest men I've laid eyes on. The most perfect date for that matter!

But...

With an exasperated sigh, I turn up the radio and concentrate on the road before me.