Page 5 of An Unexpected Chance

“Then it was meant to be.”

Our lunch arrived and I smiled. “I think it was.”

* * *

The sandwiches were spectacular—stuffed with lobster and shrimp in a light dressing. The fries and salad that came with them added to the satisfaction, and we both enjoyed the meal thoroughly. There was no pretense with her. She picked up her sandwich, licking her thumb when some mayo dripped on it. She ate with gusto, not hiding the fact that she liked what she ate. It was refreshing. She was droll and smart.

As she chewed and swallowed, she lifted her eyebrows in question.

“You’re settling in okay at the new house?”

“We love it. Mia is looking forward to school starting.”

“Yes, she told me that at the last barbecue. She is very cute.”

“I think so.” I winked. “I thought you were pretty damn cute too.”

“But you didn’t make any moves.”

“I wasn’t ready,” I admitted.

“But you are now?”

I studied her. “I think so. I would like to try, anyway.”

“I see.”

“As long as you’re on board with that.”

Her cheeks colored.

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

I grinned. “Excellent.”

* * *

We kept the conversation light, exchanging tidbits about each other.

“Favorite movie?” I asked.

“Oh. Tied. The Greatest Showman and The Last of the Mohicans.”

“Hmm. Never seen either.”

“We’ll have to rectify that.”

“I’m not much into musicals. People don’t really walk around bursting into song, you know,” I teased.

She paused before taking a bite. “You haven’t lived here long enough to know that.” Then she winked and took a huge bite of her sandwich, a smear of mayo on the corner of her lips. I had to fight the urge to lean forward and remove it with my finger, then lick it off since it had been close to her full lips.

“Your favorite movies?” she asked.

“Oh, probably 007 or the Bourne series. I love Marvel movies too.” I flashed a grin at her. “But usually, some Disney shit is blaring on the TV.”

She laughed. “I bet you love it.”

“Rapunzel is pretty badass. And I love Dory.”