Page 12 of Fated Shot

“Thanks again for the jacket.”

Her smile is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s warm and makes my stomach flip. Being on the receiving end of her attention is something I could grow used to, and I’m cursing the sun for stealing my time with her.

I nod, physically restraining myself from telling her to keep it. I’m so not ready for this to be over.

“I’ll walk you all the way back,” I say, continuing forward. We make it out into the clearing, and first peeking over to the party to ensure we’re still in the clear, I walk with her toward her door.

“Well, this is me,” she says.

I nod, a weird mixture of disappointment that the night is over and the bliss of finally having time to get to know her even a little bit.

“It was really nice talking with you, Mia.”

She fiddles with the hem of her dress as she looks up at me, her emerald green eyes staring a little nervously, “Do you… have a number?” she asks, eyebrows drawing together.

I can see her brain moving a mile a minute as she breaks our eye contact and rapidly mutters. “Of course, you have a number. I meant…” she trails off, clumsily staring down.

“You want my number?” I ask amusedly, lips quirking up into a smile. She’s nervous. She’s so cute when she’s nervous. I continue studying her as she squirms a little.

“Oh no, I mean… I guess.” She pauses, looking back up at me, innocent eyes meeting mine, “I don’t really know anyone in the city yet and…”

I jut my hand in front of me, “Phone, please.”

Handing over her unlocked iPhone, a ridiculously chubby chocolate cat takes up the entirety of her background. That’s a chonk if I ever saw one. I open the contacts app and type my name and number in. And because I think I’ve used up my last bit of good fortune from the universe, which clearly keeps giving me chances with this girl, I hit Call. Handing back her phone, I lift up my own to show her as it rings.

“Got it,” I say, mouth curving upward into a smile.

I’ve been on my best behavior, with no apparent flirting. I’m just happy to have the chance to talk to her. This is not so bad. I actually think we can manage to be friends. Or better yet, maybe this was all I needed to demystify my mystery girl and go about my life.

Turns out she’s just a gorgeous, shy, wicked baker with her own company. She also has an insane body, round, innocent eyes and the most perfect pouty lips I’ve ever seen. The thought sends a rush of blood to my not-so-friendly zone and… Shit. I was doing so well.

Before my mind even has a chance to react, I lean forward, gently pressing a soft kiss on her cheek. The shot of electricity where we connect is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

Heat rushes to her face immediately as I whisper, “Goodnight, Mia,” and walk back up the hill.

If that’s the last moment I ever get with her, at least I made it count.

Chapter 7

Mia

I still can’t believe I was able to get everything to fit in my new studio. Thank gosh for Bev Cameron insisting on hiring the Muscle Movers because I don’t think there would have been any other way we could have tackled everything in one day.

This morning, we watched as two men filled the little U-Haul trailer that I hitched to my Jeep. By the time I arrived three hours later to Parkside Place, two new guys were waiting, ready to unload everything into my new place. It was impressive as heck.

I managed to drop off the trailer at a U-Haul parking lot down the street and have been unpacking ever since. Bean is obsessed with the view and I have to admit, the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room are pretty breathtaking. They were a huge selling point. As soon as I put his cat tree back together and filled two bowls with water and kibble, Bean was fully pleased.

“I guess we’re officially Toronto residents now,” I say to him as he meows back happily at me from the top perch. Fresh start, fresh view, fresh… me? Yeah, fresh me. Mia new and improved.

I decided to start on the highest priority items, three boxes labeledKitchenand four labeledBedroom.By the time I’ve filled all six cabinets in my new kitchen, I start on the box I’m most excited about. As a housewarming and birthday present, my parents got me a beautiful two-rack countertop oven. I was a sobbing wreck. The amount of time saved going from one oven to two can’t even be formulated into words. I’m so grateful.

I carefully unpack it, resting it on the counter next to my fridge. It’s a sight to behold and it looks perfect in the space, although I am highly biased. Should I be this level excited over a stainless steel, digital oven that takes up way too much counter space? Honestly? Yes. It’s life-changing, let a girl live.

All the appliances came with the unit and thankfully, are in great shape. The thought of having to immediately upgrade an oven or fridge on top of rent was more than daunting enough. With the kitchen mostly settled, I can finally turn my attention to the bedroom boxes.

I quickly found the bedding box and set up the mattress. Not the most glamorous, but who said sleeping on the floor means you can’t have a top sheet, comforter, and about ten accent pillows? I step back, satisfied. I plan to look for a bedroom set on Facebook Marketplace, but for now, this works.

Two hours later, my walk-in closet is filled to the brim, and my mental checklist is looking good: Kitchen, check. Bed, check. Clothes, check. If baking doesn’t pan out, I have a serious future as a moving professional.

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