Page 12 of Rose and the Grouch Next Door

“Honey, I think you got that saying mixed up,” Lila says, confusion in her eyes.

I shrug. “No, that’s what she said. Always made sense to me.”

Her brother mouths, “Okaaaay … you are right. Makes total sense.” He continues to stack glasses.

“He didn't even give me a chance," I whisper, more to myself than to Lila or Jack. "He always just returned the dishes in the middle of the night, like he couldn't wait to be rid of them. Then, I showed up and rang his doorbell, so he had to talk to me. We ate dinner, drank wine, he kissed me, and then blew me off as if he couldn’t wait to be rid ofme."

Jack’s expression is angry. "Listen to me, Rose. You're young, beautiful, and have a heart of gold. If this Barrows guy can't see that, it's his loss. Don't you dare let him make you feel like you're not worthy of love and respect."

"I just thought if I could show him how much I wanted to connect, how much effort I was willing to put in. Maybe he couldacknowledge me? We could be friends, or more than friends, or something, and maybe he'd realize that age is just a number."

Lila reaches across the counter, squeezing my hand in a gesture of solidarity. "I know it hurts, honey. But you can't force someone to see your worth. If he can't appreciate the amazing woman you are, then it's time to move on. The right person will come along when you least expect it."

I nod, blinking back the tears that threaten to spill. I know they’re right. I know that pining after someone who had made his disinterest clear is a recipe for heartbreak.

"It's just... when he rejected me, he said it was because of my age. That I was too young and innocent for him. But I'm not a child anymore. I know what I want. I barely know him, but I know I want him."

"That's a bunch of shit. He's making excuses because he's too much of a coward to admit the truth. You're a grown woman, Rose, and you deserve to be with someone who appreciates you for who you are, not someone who hides behind lame excuses." Jack’s clearly pissed now.

I start to feel a flicker of anger. "You know, you're right. Idodeserve better than that. If Braxton can't see how amazing I am, then maybe he's not the man I thought he was."

"I know, sweetie. But sometimes, men can be stubborn." She arches a brow at her brother. “They get these ideas in their heads about what they think they want, and they're too afraid to take a chance on something different. But that's their loss, not yours."

Suddenly, she perks up as if she’s had an idea, “But you know … you couldshowhim it’s his loss. Let him see what he’s missing out on.” Her eyes twinkle with mischief.

I know where she’s headed with this, and so does Jack. He groans, “Bad idea, ladies. That could backfire in a hurry.”

“Hmmmm….” I twirl my hair as I ponder the idea. I know Braxton had his reasons for pushing me away, but I’m not readyto give up on him yet. I’ll keep trying until he finally realizes our age isn't a problem. In the meantime, Braxton Barrows is going to have to see what he’s missing out on.

"Thanks, y’all." I tell them, hugging each of them."You always know just what to say to make me feel better."

Jack shakes his head, and Lila grins. "That's what friends are for, honey. Now, let's get back to work before the boss catches us slacking off." She winks, because she’s the boss. Her gaze shifts to something or someone behind me. Puzzled, I turn to see what’s caught her attention.

And there he is. Braxton is standing in the doorway of Salty's, his tall, muscular frame filling the entrance of the beachside bar. He seems larger than life. The man is so handsome in his loosely buttoned white linen shirt and khaki shorts, displaying his beautiful man thighs that he takes my breath away. But the icing on the tasty cake that is Braxton Barrows is those darn glasses of his.

He’s wearing those tortoiseshell frames that make him look like every girl’s hot professor fantasy. The glasses, the tan, the scruff. The combination makes me want to climb him like a spider monkey, begging the professor to give me a good grade, while raining kisses up and down his neck.

I flush as the memory of his masculine scent, his scorching kisses, and the way he made me come in his arms. The memory has me soaking wet.

Ugh. Guess I’m going to have to keep spare panties in my purse because I won’t ever be able to look at this man again andnotremember what he did to my body.

His eyes scan the room before landing on me, and he strides over with purpose.

"Braxton?" I stammer, my heart pounding in my chest. "What are you doing here?"

"Thought I'd grab a bite to eat," he replies in his normal grumpy, low growl.

I try to hide my surprise at his sudden appearance. Henevergoes out, especially not to Salty's. Why is he here now?

“Take a seat anywhere you like. Rose will take your order,” Lila says as she winks at me, slapping my ass with the towel. I glare at her.

“What?” she says innocently, shrugging her shoulders. “He needs service, and you’re the waitress. Works out perfectly, right?”

“Besides,” she whispers, “that man is so damn fine. If I wasn’t a happily married woman, I’d be all over that!” She fans herself.

“Better not let Ash hear you say that,” her brother says. “He would blow a fucking gasket and run the guy out of town.”

“Whatever,” she waves him off. “Ash knows he’s all I can handle. Believe me, he’s secure in his masculinity.”

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