He grins widely. “No, but I know equipment. I’m a heavy equipment operator,” he states.
I read the tag details once more and check the price. “I’m not afraid of a gas mower, but it would be nice not to have to store a gas can and have to run to fill it all the time.”
“Agreed. If you like the electric option, this one is self-propelled. It’s more expensive, but you get the best of both worlds and it’s easier to use. Plus, electric mowers are considerably quieter.”
I nod in understanding, contemplating the choices. I spend a couple of minutes looking them all over. Cade stands nearby, but doesn’t say anything. He lets me work through it in my head, which I appreciate so much. I realize how important that is, and not just because of his push mower knowledge, but because he’s not overwhelming me with his own thoughts and opinions. The man I won’t mention would have told me which one to purchase, whether it was the one I wanted or not.
“Found someone, finally!” Allison announces as she approaches. “Oh, hey, Cade.”
“Hi, Allison,” he replies.
The moment he turns back to the mowers, she smiles at me and waggles her eyebrows. I, of course, roll my eyes at the other woman and turn my attention to the associate who is trailing behind my friend.
“Can I help you?” the young kid asks.
“I’d like to purchase this mower,” I state, pointing to the electric self-propelled model.
“Okay,” he states, grabbing the tag. “I’ll take you at the counter.”
I start to follow but stop and turn around. “Thanks for your help, Cade.”
He flashes a quick grin and grabs his basket. “Holler if you need help getting it out of your vehicle. You have my number, right?”
My throat is dry, but I manage a nod.
“Good. Use it anytime you’re ready, Oaklee.” With that, he turns and walks off, his ass looking very amazing in the loose-fitting, well-worn jeans.
“Wipe your chin, girl,” Allison mutters beside me, causing me to blush.
I’m hit with a wave of guilt, and the realization of how unwarranted it is now is like a bucket of cold water over my head. The reason I would feel guilty for checking out another man is gone. He clearly didn’t have the same problem, not only looking but touching too. Now, we’re not together, so I should have absolutely no guilt when it comes to checking out a fine man’s ass.
Holding my head up high, I shrug at my friend. “What can I say? He has a nice ass.”
She barks out a laugh and nods in response. “That he does.” Linking her arm through mine, we walk toward the counter where the sales associate went. “Let’s go purchase you a mower, shall we?”
“We shall.”
“And then we can talk about the number you have in your phone and when you’re going to use it.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to use it.”
She gapes at me. “Why not?”
“I’ve been single for like…forty-eight hours.”
“So? Single is single, my friend.”
“That may be true, but I’m not ready yet,” I insist, stepping up to the counter and pulling out my wallet. I’m going to need my credit card for this purchase.
I pay for my purchase and am told which door to drive to so they can get me loaded up. Before we know it, we’re all set and heading back to Cooper Town. As Allison talks about what she needs to do when she gets home, my mind drifts to the man who appeared out of nowhere earlier. He was incredibly helpful when it came to talking me through the purchase, even though I probably would have gotten the same assistance from an employee.
I wasn’t lying when I told Allison I wasn’t ready for anything more. Not from Cade or anyone else. I’m two days out of a relationship I’ve had for most of the last six years. I’m not ready for anything more than a basic friendship, at least right now.
That doesn’t mean I can’t look, right?
Because Cade is awfully pretty to look at. And I’m not just talking about his ass, which is pretty fucking nice. His blue eyes are so alluring, and his smile is contagious. He’s charismatic and one of the biggest flirts I’ve ever met, but something tells me there’s a lot more to him. In a nutshell, he’s romance book-worthy eye candy.
What’s a newly single woman to do?
