Page 38 of Yours for the Taking (Falling For A Rose)

“What?”

“Why not?”

“Um.” Carla’s mind shuffled to everything they both had going on in the city. “How?”

“After your anti-bullying campaign. We’ll take care of the students and community first, then take a trip to Barbados.”

Carla’s mouth opened.

“What do you think about that?”

“You’re not joking?”

“Why would I be? The only thing is the locals speak the Bajan dialect. It’s an English-based creole, with heavy West African roots.”

She exhaled, her lips curving into a satisfied smile.

“I would love to go with you. I’m sure I can make out what they’re saying, and if I can’t, you can, right?”

“You’re right. Then the decision is final. No takebacks.”

Laughter surfed from her lips.

“How long will we be away?”

“As long as you like.”

“Now listen, Mr. Rose, don’t be trying to make my dreams come true!”

His guffaw warmed her.

“Tell you what,” he said, containing his merriment, “I’ll let you sleep on it, and you let me know so I can book our reservations. Is that all right with you, Ms. Carla Jones?”

“Yeah, man.” They both laughed. “Hell, yeah.”

Chapter Eleven

I’m going to Barbados with Jacob.

Carla’s thoughts were filled with her impending trip with Jacob as she pushed her cart through the grocery store. She could feel him opening up to her. His honesty, along with making plans to spend some real-time together, relaxed her to the bone.

She bit her bottom lip and smiled and maneuvered down the peanut butter aisle. Carla was hungry. She could eat a whole buffet right now. But she wasn’t budging on her new diet—sticking with vegetables and proteins to feed her energy.

“Carla?”

She stopped strolling and turned to the voice that called out her name.

“Hey, I thought that was you.”

“Devin?”

Medium in height, with butterscotch skin and a long concrete-gray overcoat, Devin walked up to Carla, a smile pushing the glasses up his nose.

“It’s nice to see you,” he said, looking her over thoroughly.

“It’s a surprise to see you. Are you grocery shopping?” She smirked.

His brows dipped, and he smiled. “What? A man can’t shop for himself?”

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