Page 17 of The Magical Tea Shop

Ivy bit her lip, cursed her triviality. That wasn’t fair to him. Roman was a great guy.

He was.

She straightened up, took a breath, and spotted him at a dark blue picnic table in the center of the park-like grounds.

When he looked up, she waved and wove her way through the colorful tables. The place was starting to fill up, and it was still early.

“Hey,” she said. Roman stood, balancing himself with one hand on the picnic table.

He nodded and grinned. “I’ll place our order. What would you like?” He teetered a little.

“Oh, you don’t need to do that. It’s so far.” It wasn’t really, but on crutches might prove a challenge.

He laughed. “I’m buying. What would you like—well, besides a raspberry cheesecake milkshake?”

Ivy grinned. “Just a basic burger and fries—well…” She bit her lip.

“Garlic fries?”

Ivy nodded. “Yes, please. Kayley’s garlic fries are the best. But only if you are too.”

Roman grinned. “That can be arranged.”

He took off. Even on crutches, it was clear he was athletic. It occurred to Ivy how her words might be interpreted, and she could have kicked herself.OMG, garlic fries but only if you are too?Now, he’d expect her to kiss him.

She scrunched her face in thought. Did she want to kiss him? She plopped down on the bench. With a head tilt, she pictured herself kissing Roman. Hmm, what would it be like? She let her imagination take off. Would it be soft or passionate? Sweet or hungry? Her heart jumped at hungry. When she thought of hungry kissing, she wasn’t picturing Roman at all. Her imagination took off like a kite, soaring at the thought of hungrily kissing Jaxon, and Jaxon…was suddenly smack dab in front of her in dark jeans with a sky-blue tee, looking so delicious she could just gobble him up.

Was she hallucinating? Good lord, she was losing it.

“Hi,” he said with his lopsided smile.

She blinked. He was there, really there. Like she could conjure him into existence just by wishing. “Oh, hi.” He was real and right in front of her, and she felt herself break into a bright, delighted grin. Suddenly, there were loud whoops and thundering feet as the Little Leaguers rushed by, jockeying for seats at the remaining picnic tables.

One of the boys bumped into her.

“Sorry about that,” Jaxon said to her and called after the boy, “Kenny, get back here and apologize.”

“Oh, sorry, lady.”

“Sorry, Miss Wayland,” Jaxon corrected.

“Sorry, Miz Wayland,” he called, racing off.

Color flooded Ivy’s cheeks at her earlier thoughts. Hyperconscious at how she must appear after imagining a make-out session with the man in front of her, she knew her voice came out breathy. “You’re here with the team, I take it.”

Jaxon just grinned at her. After a long moment he blinked a couple of times and nodded. “Yes, they won a really tough game, so I thought a reward was in order.” His expression hopeful, he added, “You could join us.”

Roman chose that moment to reappear and swing his crutches up and around, barely missing smacking Jaxon in the back. He slid an arm around Ivy’s shoulders. Ivy felt a definite shift in the air. Both men grew taller. Were they taking a stand?

Over her?

“So, Jax, looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you with that crowd.” Roman nodded toward the Little Leaguers. “You better get over there before they get out of hand.” He spoke with an edge and pulled Ivy in close, staking his claim. He leaned down and spoke softly by her ear, but loud enough for Jaxon to hear. “I got usextragarlic fries to share.”

Roman smirked.

Jaxon’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly at the blatant implication. His lips tightened before he gave a brisk nod at Roman. “You’re right, I better get over to my charges.” To Ivy, he gave a resigned smile.

She watched him walk away and shake his head before rounding up his team to place orders at the counter.

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