Page 20 of Taking Chances

Those same shiny, mossy green eyes are the reason I volunteered. That insecure look she gave me was like a kick to the guts.

She must be crazy to think of herself that low. Or just badly hurt. And I’m not one to enjoy seeing someone hurt.

“You’re not a mess.” She rolls her eyes, not believing me. But I honestly mean it. Though it’s visible she cried, she still looksadorable. “We should probably meet up before the wedding though.” I clear my throat. “To get our story straight.”

“Oh. Good thinking.” Her gaze drops, showing me the freckles on her nose. Her skin is perfection even red with embarrassment.

“Dinner?” I’m not really the type to take girls on dates, but it’s not like I can invite her to hang out in my half torn out garage.

Her mouth parts on a silent ‘oh’ before her cheeks redden even more. “It’s just…” She sighs. “You’ve seen how I have a tendency to embarrass myself, and with the weirdness of this whole thing, I would feel safer if we were in private.”

“Sure, no problem. I would invite you to my place but it’s kind of a work in progress.”

“No, you can come to my place.” She pauses, glancing at me. “If you want to.”

“Great. Give me your number so we can arrange it.”

I save her number under ‘Firecracker’, telling myself it’s in case someone at the wedding sees my phone.

“Hey, come in,”she says with a smile as she opens the door. Most of the times I’ve seen her she’d just been crying, so to see her honest smile is blinding.

Her nose scrunches up a tiny bit, a dimple forms in her left cheek, and her eyes are even more beautiful when she smiles.

“Thanks,” I rasp out. I haven’t spoken to anyone the whole day, still working on the bathroom.

She fits her apartment perfectly. Her oversized sweater matches the soft pink throw pillows. They are skillfully arranged on a comfortable looking beige couch.

“Can I get you something to drink?” she asks.

“A beer would be great, if you have one.”

“Coming right up. Make yourself comfortable.”

A row of different plants adorns her windowsill, and a huge bookcase covers one of the walls. The books are mostly pastel colored—sorted by colors—except for one shelf completely filled with black or dark gray books. Hmm, I wouldn’t pin her as a horror reading girl.

“Here.” She puts the beer on a flower-shaped coaster and lowers the charcuterie board she was holding.

“You didn’t have to.”

“It’s the least I could do to say thank you.” She gives me another smile.

The board is mouthwatering. There are five types of different cheeses, salami and sausages, different fruits, nuts, and spreads. I wasn’t feeling hungry before I came here, but I’m pretty much salivating now.

I sit on the couch and, damn, it’s even more comfortable than I expected. As soon as I sit, an orange cat jumps into my lap.

“Of course,” Anne murmurs, chuckling.

“Sorry?” I have no idea what she’s talking about.

“LunahatedBryce. And when I say hate, I mean it. She would hiss every time he walked into a room even though he lived here.”

I guess the cat’s name is Luna. And I guess she’s a good judge of character. Which deserves some cuddles. I pet her soft fur and she begins purring.

“I booked us a room at the estate. And I’ll rent us a car this week if that’s cool with you,” Anne says, sipping her wine. I need to call the estate to charge the room to me.

“No need.”

“I know you love your bike, but I’m really too terrified to get on it.” Her eyes turn apprehensive.

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