Page 19 of Choosing Goddess

“Noted. You aren’t the same. I’m sorry. Do you forgive me now?”

“I shouldn’t, but how can I not? Shall we go do what we came here for? Mingle and support?”

I laughed as I took her hand, walking back down the pathway, glancing at the stalls.

“I believe, if you wanted to AJ, you can actually meet my boss, if you will. He tends to support a lot of local stuff he can.”

I looked over an apple stand and bought two caramel apples for each of us, handing her one. I took a bite, smiling at the gooeyness of it but also enjoying the crisp, sweet taste of the apple. Stores had nothing on fresh goods straight from the farmers and never would. And I whole heartly believed in supporting the work of them too.

“Oh, damn, this is amazing,” she said, taking another bite, finally wiping the corner of her mouth.

“Don’t get too full on that,” Locke said, walking up behind her and grinning. “Dinner will be shortly and it’s a wonderful four course meal.”

“Oof,” she said, turning to look at him. “There is nothing wrong with having dessert before dinner,” she teased. “Locke my date and friend, Ajax.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” I told him, holding out my hand.

“Likewise. Was curious about the new face that started requesting Goddess. She’s loved by many,”

“She should be. She’s very classy and unique.”

“She is. Don’t let me spoil your evening. Enjoy dinner,” he said, waving.

I watched the retreating back, not seeing him as some big millionaire, though he was.

“Not what I thought he would be like,” I told her, taking another bite of my apple.

“I hear that a lot. Come on, let’s walk this off a little while we head to dinner. I know there’s an auction and I wanted to see what it was so I could bid. I know all the proceeds go to feeding the youth.”

I trailed after her, my mind blown away by her yet again. She always had a kind soul, and I was happy to see that hadn’t changed. I’m also glad that of all the places I could have brought her, this was the best one. It’s one I was hoping would touch her heart, and it seemed like it did.

Four hours later, stuffed and happy, I drove her back to her place, parking outside. She looked at the door, then looked at me, a smirk on her face.

“Thank you for tonight, AJ. It was a great night.”

“It was. And it was all my pleasure. You really enjoyed yourself tonight and I loved seeing every moment of it.”

“It was the right approach for the apology too. You did well.”

She climbed out of the car and I walked her up, making sure she got in safely.

“I really tried.”

I watched as her key slid into the lock and turned, but she paused and glanced over her shoulder.

“I think you should come in, make sure the house is safe.” Her tone was soft, breathless, and the look she gave me was something I hadn’t seen before.

“Spy,” I started but she shook her head.

“I’m kind of scared right now. Please check?”

That was all I needed to give into the role that she was clearly playing into, because she was not a timid or weak woman.

Chapter 11

Spyridoula

“Do you give out candy to trick or treaters?” he asked, pausing with me as he looked at pumpkins.