“Oh, it definitely is!” she confirmed with a cheery tone. I thanked her before making my way down the aisles.
Vacation calories don’t count.Or at least that would be my motto for this trip.
I grabbed pasta and sauces, some veggies and fruit out of habit before making my way down to the cookie aisle.
“Shit,” a deep voice cursed just a second before metal on metal clanged as our carts collided.
“Oh!” I squeaked, and when I looked up at the man in front of me, I blinked.
He was beautiful.
Literally.
The man looked like one of those ridiculously handsome, masculine models whom Rosie worked with. Like someone who had jumped out from a Ralph Lauren website.
“I’m sorry about that,” he apologized but didn’t blink.
I didn’t either, for that matter.
Something inside of me came awake at the sight of him.It’s just lust. It’s because he’s pretty to look at,I tried to remind myself, but I couldn’t believe it. Deep down, there was something about him that felt weirdly … familiar.
“It was my fault. I was in a hurry to get cookies,” I shared and felt like the world’s biggest nerd. “I mean…”
“Great minds think alike.” He pointed at his cart. My eyes dipped down, and right there were two packages of cookies. Not just that, but they were my very own weird favorite two cookies the girls always teased me about.
“You like chocolate wafers?” I asked, and I could have sworn the handsome man blushed beneath the dark sexy scruff that covered his jawline with gray sprinkled in, giving a hint about his age.
“I know it’s not a popular cookie but…” He shrugged. God, it made him so… endearing. Sweet. Almost oddly approachable.
“They’re my favorite, too,” I blurted, and he gave me the most beautiful smile. My heart felt like it wanted to do somersaults in my chest. “Well, umm… those and Fudge Stripes. I love those, too.” I was a little lost with what to say. “They’re… great.”And you’re a nerd! Stop talking!
“The best,” he agreed. His eyes dropped to peruse my cart. “Having a party?” I could see why he would assume that.
With five bottles of wine and the amount of pasta I’d tossed in, not to mention the chips and trail mix I’d added in there. Again, vacation calories didn’t count.
“Not even a little bit,” I answered honestly. My face felt hot, and I wasn’t sure why. I wasn’t shy or subdued, even in front of handsome men. That never fazed me. Until the man in front of me knocked his cart into mine.
He was seriously gorgeous with an air of a man who was not only confident out in the world but behind closed doors. His warm, chocolatey gaze roamed my body, and all I wanted, for the first time in a long time, was for him to like what he saw.Please, daddy.The thought made me still. What the hell was wrong with me?!Daddy?I’d never called anyone that. Not only that, but I wasn’t there to find anyone.
But what if love finds you?I could almost hear Rosie’s voice whisper in my head.
“Well…” I started to say but got lost in his beautiful stare. God, his eyes were beautiful. He felt familiar even though I knew I’d never laid eyes on the man.What if love finds you?Yeah, not on this trip.
“Well,” he repeated, clearing his throat, but neither of us moved.
We just stood there.
Staring at one another in silence as Mariah Carey sang over the speakers about what she wanted for Christmas with our shopping carts between us. Something felt different; I just couldn’t put my finger on it.It’s called low blood sugar. You’re probably just hungry!I mentally scolded myself. I needed to stop at the burger joint I passed before parking at the grocery store and grab a bite before heading to the cabin.
But what if this is what Abby and Tabitha felt when they first met their guys?
“Well, umm, I should…” What was wrong with me! I wanted to laugh at myself. I wasn’t this girl. I didn’t do meet-cutes or meet-ups or meet-anything!
I didn’t get crushes!
Especially on men whose name I didn’t even know.
“Right, sorry.” He moved his cart left when I moved right, and metal clanged as we collided again.
