Chapter 10: Market Misadventures

As Charlie and Sloan got ready to set off for the market, Charlie raised a practical concern. "Sloan, are you really sure you want to come with me? I mean, I usually just ride my small bicycle."

Sloan grinned, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "We can make it work, Charlie. This could make great content for the vlog!"

Charlie considered Sloan's enthusiasm and then pointed out, "But I only have one bicycle, and it's designed for my size."

Upon inspecting the bike, Sloan realized the truth of her statement. "Ah, right, this won't work then."

Charlie, determined to find a solution, suggested, "No worries, we can take the local transportation instead."

The local transportation turned out to be a small motorcycle with a sidecar, which was quite common in the area. Charlie hesitated before asking, "Are you absolutely sure you want to come with me? It's a bit cramped."

Sloan, with his eyes still on the sidecar, responded with determination, "Don't you want me to join? This could be a great addition to the vlog."

Charlie couldn't help but give in, even though she felt a mix of awkwardness and shyness. She finally agreed, "Alright, let's do it."

Upon closer inspection, it was apparent that Sloan's tall frame was a mismatch for the compact sidecar. Charlie tried to hide her amusement, saying, "You know, I don't think we'll both fit inside comfortably."

Undeterred, Sloan grinned and shrugged, "No problem, we can make it work."

Charlie suggested a solution, "How about you sit inside the sidecar, and I'll just ride behind the motorcycle driver?"

Sloan, clearly excited about the adventure, insisted, "Nah, let's both fit in there. It'll be fun!"

And so, with a bit of awkward maneuvering, Sloan managed to squeeze himself into the sidecar alongside Charlie. It was quite the sight – two fully grown adults crammed into a tiny sidecar meant for one.

As they set off on their journey, the reality of their situation hit home. The sidecar was cramped beyond belief, and both Charlie and Sloan were squished together. It was a mixture of nerves, shyness, and excitement that filled the air.

While Charlie navigated the situation with a determined smile, Sloan was quieter than usual. Charlie sensed his unease and turned to him. "Are you okay, Sloan?"

Sloan's response was almost a whisper, "Yeah, just a bit... cozy in here."

Charlie chuckled, thinking it was due to the tight space. But Sloan's next words took her by surprise. "Your elbow," he muttered.

Charlie, not quite catching his words amidst the wind, asked, "What was that?"

Sloan repeated himself, a bit more audibly, "Your elbow is on a very delicate area."

Charlie's confusion gave way to realization as she looked down at where her elbow was resting. Suddenly comprehending what he meant, she hastily moved her elbow, causing her head to collide with the roof of the sidecar.

The sudden jolt made the motorcycle driver think something was amiss, and he came to a sudden stop. The driver looked at the two of them, his expression hinting that he knew exactly what was going on. He simply advised them to be careful and added with a knowing smile, "Take care of your girl, young man."

Charlie protested immediately, "No, no, he's not my boyfriend. He's just a visitor at the resort."

Sloan, catching onto the game, played along with a smirk, "Don't worry, sir. I'll take care of my girl."

The driver chuckled and gave them a wink before resuming their journey. Charlie was mortified, her face flushed red, but Sloan seemed to be taking it all in stride, relishing the moment.

The journey to the market continued, Sloan and Charlie sharing an awkward but lighthearted exchange throughout the ride. The driver seemed to be intentionally prolonging the journey, much to Charlie's puzzlement. Little did she know that he was simply enjoying the spectacle of the young couple's antics.

Upon their arrival at the market, Charlie thanked the driver, while Sloan shook his hand with a hearty laugh. "Thanks for the ride, sir," he said, chuckling.

As they entered the bustling market, Charlie was met with a chorus of curious and amused greetings from the local sellers. They were curious about the stranger accompanying Charlie and were eager to ask questions in their native language.

Sloan, of course, couldn't understand the conversations, but the atmosphere was a mix of friendly curiosity and playful teasing. As the two walked past the stalls, Charlie tried to discourage her friends from asking too many questions, aware that Sloan might catch onto their words.

However, one particularly daring young seller managed to shout, "Hi handsome, are you the suitor of our friendly resort owner?"

Charlie's eyes widened in shock, and she immediately tried to hush the enthusiastic seller. Sloan, on the other hand, burst into laughter at the audacity of the statement. He responded with a grin, "I can be, but that depends on your friend here."

Charlie, flustered, turned to Sloan, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Sloan, you can't say things like that!"

Sloan, still chuckling, teased, "Why not? It's all in good fun."

The local sellers who had gathered around were thoroughly entertained by the exchange, and they started to join in the teasing, calling Sloan "sir suitor." Charlie's face was practically crimson as she tried to explain that Sloan was a resort guest and nothing more.

Sloan continued to playfully lean into the joke, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Well, who knows? Maybe I will be."

Charlie sighed in exasperation, resigned to her fate. "Just please, don't spread that around. People will actually believe you."

Sloan grinned, his playful spirit unyielding. "Oh, I can't make any promises. It's too good of an opportunity."

As they continued through the market, the teasing and laughter continued, creating a lively atmosphere around them. Charlie and Sloan's banter drew the attention of many, with locals giving them thumbs-up signs and joining in the jovial exchange.

Time flew by, and as the sun started to dip towards the horizon, Charlie realized that it was nearly 4:30. She looked around for Mon and Sicily, who should have been back at the resort by now with the baking ingredients.

As they made their way back to the resort, they spotted Mon and Sicily entering from the side. However, to Charlie's surprise, Mon wasn't carrying any bags of ingredients. George came bounding over to her, his energy unflagging, and questioned why they had taken so long. He suggested that Charlie and Sloan could have taken him with them to the market.

Sloan, with a twinkle in his eye, decided to playfully tease both George and Charlie. "You see, George, Momma Chawie and I were having quality time together."

Charlie's eyes widened in shock at Sloan's words, and she sputtered, "No, no, no! He's just joking, George."

George looked confused, his eyes flicking between Charlie and Sloan. "Are you Momma Chawie's husband?" he asked, his innocence causing a ripple of laughter from those nearby.

Amy, hearing the commotion and seeing Sicily approaching, quickly covered George's mouth with her hand to avoid any awkward situations. Sicily arrived, casting a curious glance at the scene but deciding not to press further.

Sloan, finding the situation amusing, chimed in, "Well, I could be if your Momma Chawie agrees."

Charlie's face turned several shades of red as she tried to explain to George that Sloan was just being playful. George seemed befuddled, and Amy did her best to steer the conversation away from any potential embarrassment.

Sicily joined the group, her laughter infectious. "You two seem to be having quite the adventure today."

Sloan flashed a mischievous grin. "Just making the most of the day, Sicily."

As the group headed inside, Charlie shot a mock glare at Sloan. "You're not helping, you know."

Sloan's laughter rang out as he draped an arm around Charlie's shoulders. "But it's all in good fun, Charlie."

With laughter still ringing in the air, the sun setting on the horizon, and the bonds of friendship deepening with each passing day, the resort continued to be a haven of unexpected moments and heartwarming connections. And as they all gathered in the kitchen, George's anticipation for cookie-baking forgotten for now, it was clear that this serendipitous summer was far from over.