Page 27 of Cupid's Shot

I bite my lip, loving this flirtation, and decide to leave him on read for a change. “I don’t have anything respectful to say.” I giggle to myself.

24

Looking up from my phone, my cheeks are flushed. Thank God I made a grocery list for once. All my brain can think about right now is Sarah. I look down at my list, then back at the produce section, grabbing spinach and arugula. Maybe I should add some cherry tomatoes? Another crunchy item would be a good idea. Walnuts or pecans? Yeah, let’s go with walnuts. She’s definitely going to make a quip about nuts. I smile, looking forward to seeing her and thinking about her sass.

Pushing my cart to the butcher offerings, the filet mignon looks perfect.Wine. I definitely need a good bottle of red wine to pair with the steak. Something bold like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot.

I look at the labels. I should get a funny one, one she can make a comment about. Not seeing anything that looks good with a funny name, I go with something nice instead. Something that says I’m very serious about treating my Valentine. At just under one hundred dollars, Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon it is.

Holding the bottle of wine in my hands, I wonder—should I ask her to be my girlfriend? Since we’ve started talking, it’s been so natural. I’ve loved every second.

Flowers!I almost forgot flowers for the table and for her to take home. Red roses? No. That’s not her.Oh!They have purple roses, perfect. I make a nice bouquet with the roses and lavender stock.

Walking toward the checkout, I spot one of my regulars, Karen.Agh, I internally groan, not wanting to make idle chit chat.

“Someone is one lucky lady!” Karen smiles, eyeing my cart.

I smile politely.

“Please, tell me! Who finally got Aaron Olson’s attention?”

“Sarah Anderson.”

“The artist! How cute! Oh my God, you two would have the most beautiful babies.”

I laugh, not disagreeing.

“Oh, and it’s Valentine’s Day!” She swoons. “I won’t keep you. It looks like you have a lot to do.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Karen.” I smile and start pushing my cart to the checkout. “Oh!” I mutter to myself. I should get candles. I bite my lip, thinking about later. I should get some more condoms too.

25

Dipping the strawberries in melted chocolate, I’m full-on fantasizing about tonight. He’s going to need to pull those wings out of retirement.Those fucking wings.I bite my lip.

After dipping the last strawberry, I place it on the serving tray to rest with the others and lick the chocolate off the spoon. On a flirty whim, I send Aaron a picture of me licking the spoon. Aaron’s response is immediate.

Aaron Olson

I have nothing respectful to say.

I laugh, walking to the shower to get ready for tonight.

Wrapped in a towel, I stare at my underwear drawer. I put on a matching pink lace bra and underwear set, leaning into the Valentine’s Day theme. Aaron’s hands touching me, like how he did after our last date, play and replay in my memory. Grabbing a condom from my nightstand, I slide it into one of the cups of my bra. Smiling, I think that will be a fun surprise for later.

My surprise!I almost forgot about the whipped cream I bought. I can’t forget that.

My secret admirer really seemed to be into my legs at the bar.Going through my closet, I decide on a red, long-sleeved, v-neck sweater dress. I typically wear tights with it since it’s so short, but tonight … I’ll skip those. Looking at my shoes, it would be a bit much to wear heels, so I decide instead to wear over-the-knee, tan, suede boots.

Giving myself one final look in the mirror, I think I look very fuckable and hope it happens.

While Aaron doesn’t mind walking a half mile in the cold, I do. I put the whipped cream in my bag and carry the chocolate covered strawberries to my car.

26

The doorbell rings, and my nerves take over. Looking at my phone, I’m stressed since the meal isn’t where I had hoped it would be right now. So prompt, I chuckle to myself, seeing that it’s exactly 7:00 p.m. I’m so excited to see Sarah this evening.

I turn down the burners, then make my way to the front of the house to greet her.

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