“Deal,” Matt said, licking his lips like an addict about to get his hands on the best crank he’d ever had in his whole life. Aidan followed Shae down the length of the counter, weaving through patient customers, then waited by the door as Shae came around the cashregister.
“Come on,” she said, walking out the door. Aidan followed her outside and around the corner. There were a few benches, but they were all taken. Instead they sat down on the concrete ledge near the steps that led out to thestreet.
“Good thing it’s cool out today. That heat was killing me. So how are you?” Shae crossed her thick thighs and turned toward him. She rested her chin in her hand and flashed him the sexiestsmile.
“I’m sorry about this. I know you were trying to work—trying to run a business. We shouldn’t have shown up likethat.”
“No! It’s totally fine. I was actually kind of having a weird day. I didn’t sleep well last night. I was up late thinking about thisguy.”
That caught Aidan off guard. He didn’t remember Shae being such a bold flirt. It was pretty hot. Aidan managed not to trip over his tongue when he responded. “I see. Thinking good thoughts, Ihope.”
“They were good thoughts, but like, nervousthoughts.”
“What kind of nervousthoughts?”
“Oh, just the usual. I wonder if he’ll like me. I wonder if I’ll likehim.”
“I think at least one of those things you won’t have to worry about. I just left my office in the middle of the day to get cupcakes forlunch.”
“That’s true. So you were researching our date? Come to any decisionsyet?”
“Along with every single tourist trap in LA and Orange County, the internet encouraged couples to check out the tree lighting at the Grove and Universal Citywalk.”
“Mhmm, goon.”
“We could also hit the Petersen AutomotiveMuseum.”
“Are you intocars?”
“Not atall.”
“Okay,” Shae snorted, then covered her mouth to hide the sound. She didn’t need to though. It was anything but a turn off. “Ineed a Christmas tree. I’ve kinda dropped the ball on the holidays the last couple ofyears.”
“Seems pretty Christmasy inside your store. Didn’t I catch candy cane shaped cookies forsale?”
“Maybe?” Shae scrunched up her nose in this adorable sign of guilt and Aidan almost leaned over and kissed her. “I’m dropping the ball at home though. Do you want to get a tree with me? And then maybe we can wander around Target because I have no Christmas decorations to put on the tree? Or does that sound like a horribledate?”
“That sounds like a great date,” Aidan replied. And he meant it. “When do you want togo?”
“Do you have plans tonight? Or is that way toosoon?”
“No. I’m free. I usually leave the office aroundfive.”
“Oh, perfect. I usually leave around four. That’ll give me plenty of time to go home andchange.”
They swapped cell numbers and decided that Aidan would swing by her house and pick her up at six-thirty. She assured him that Home Depot was actually the best place to get a tree and not a Christmas tree lot. After they hit Home Depot and Target, they’d find some place to gettakeout.
“This sounds like a pretty solid plan,” Shae said with a smile. Aidan definitely wanted to kiss her. “Let me get back inside. I have some stuff to finish before my big date with this cute guytonight.”
“I should go stop Matt from annoying the shit out of everyone in your store.” Aidan stood. “Afteryou.”
“Thanks.”
They walked back into the shop and Aidan found Matt standing in the corner with two boxes big enough to carry a dozen cupcakeseach.
“Oh you’re all set up, aren’t you?” Shae asked as she made her way back behind thecounter.
“These should last me the ridehome.”
