The man said, “I''m surprised you even found this ce. Only the locals know about it-hardly any outsiders evere here to eat."


    Effie asked, "Is it any good?"


    "Oh, it''s excellent. The food''s amazing, which is exactly why it sells out so fast. Now that you''re here, you might not even get a taste."


    "That''s a shame," Effie replied with a smile.


    She chatted with the man, but she kept her guard up, just in case.


    Then the man turned to Effie and said, "Why don''t you take my spot in line?"


    "Oh, no, that''s not necessary. You came all the way here just like we did it wouldn''t be fair to cut in front of you," Effie protested.


    He waved her off. "Don''t worry about it. Ie here all the time. For you two, it''s a rare treat."


    Before Effie and Lyman could object, the man insisted and gave up his ce for them.


    They thanked him sincerely.


    He just smiled and said, "It''s nothing."


    It took a while before their turn finally came. By then, the owner announced there was only one serving left and asked if they still wanted it.


    After waiting so long, how could they say no?


    Effie quickly agreed. As she did, she nced around, hoping to spot the kind stranger, but he was nowhere to be seen. She guessed he''d left after hearing there was nothing left to order.


    Their meal arrived a hearty bowl of noodles with all sorts of toppings: dried squid, fish cakes, sliced meat, even something that looked suspiciously like sea


    worms.


    Apparently, the owner made a habit of visiting the docks every morning, buying whatever fresh ingredients he could find.


    The taste was just as promised-savory, tangy, and incredibly appetizing.


    Since there was only one bowl left, Effie and Lyman had to share. Maybe it was the act of sharing that made it taste even better.


    Lyman noticed Effie picking around the sea worms.


    "Not a fan?" he asked.


    Effie made a face. "Go ahead, you can have them. Really, don''t worry about me."


    She didn''t like the look of them—just the thought of eating something called a "sea worm" was enough to turn her stomach.


    The owner ambled over, grinning. "Those are good for men, you know. Supposed to put some pep in your step."


    Lyman hadn''t nned on eating them, but at that, his curiosity was piqued. Trying not to think too hard about it, he scooped all the sea worms into his mouth.


    Effie watched him, the corner of her mouth twitching in amusement and disbelief.


    They finished the bowl, both wishing there was just a bit more.


    "Come on," Lyman said. "Let''s find something else to eat." Effie nodded. "Okay."


    With rmendations from the owner and some nearby vigers, they tried a few more local specialties, but nothing quitepared to that first bowl of noodles.


    Lyman could tell Effie wasn''t especially interested in the rest. "Save some room. We''ll get seafoodter."


    "Sounds good."


    They didn''t bother with sightseeing or searching for the perfect view. Instead, they simply wandered down the coastal road together.


    To them, even the most ordinary scenery seemed beautiful as long as they were walking side by side.


    "Effie," Lyman called.


    "Hmm?"


    She turned at the sound of his voice, just as he snapped a photo.


    "Are you taking pictures of me secretly?"


    Lyman hesitated, then said, "You could take a secret picture of me, too."


    Effie shook her head.


    Lyman looked at her, a flicker of disappointment passing through his eyes. Just then, Effie reached into her pocket and pulled something out.