Page 37 of Breaking the Ice

Confused but bolstered by Nick’s support, she turned back to Ray. “You heard the man.”

Ray looked from Samantha to Nick then back to Samantha again. “I’ll call you from my new office,” he muttered, backing away several paces before turning and letting himself out.

Samantha stared at the door for long silent moments. “I want that office, damn it.”

“You definitely can’t let that son of a bitch win.”

Turning, Samantha beamed. Nick lookedpissed. And hell, if that wasn’t ringing every one of her bells. “My sentiments exactly.”

13

“I’m thinking of becoming a lesbian.”

“That’s nice. Let me know when you need a sperm donor.”

Samantha sighed at her sister’s practicality. “It does kind of ruin the plan, I guess.”

“Bit hard to let the girls reach their full potential without the vital ingredient. Or have you given up on that idea?”

“I wish. The clock just keeps getting louder. I see mothers in the street now and I’m jealous. One came into the shop the other day with the tiniest baby in one of those pouches and I ran out the back and cried.”

“Oh, Sam…”

“I give up, Bec. I think I’m destined to be a spinster aunt. I’ll just have to spoil my nieces and be satisfied with going home to a metabolically challenged fish.”

“Sounds like fun. Not.”

Yeah. Not. “There must be a place I can go to find real men?”

“The supermarket is supposed to be a hot pick-up spot.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I read it somewhere. You just have to go at the right time. About five-thirty when work is done for the day.”

“How am I gonna know the singles from the marrieds?”

“The singles use baskets and have a kind of lost look on their face.”

Samantha perked up. “Okay… the supermarket it is.”

“What’s on your agenda for the night?” Nick asked as he closed up the shop.

The air-con inside was frigidly efficient and Sam sighed as the late afternoon summer warmth enveloped her.

“I’m going to the supermarket.”

“I thought you shopped yesterday?”

It was then that Samantha realized how integral Nick was becoming in her life. In a matter of weeks he’d become more than a friend. He was her confidant, her sounding board. And she liked it. For crying out loud, she spent more time with him than she had some of her exes.

She shrugged. “I’m going again.”

“Mind if I tag along?” he asked as he fell into step. “I need a few things.”

Samantha faltered. Yes, she did. How was she supposed to pick up a guy with an NFL superstar hanging around?“Fine,” she acquiesced after a beat. “Just do me a favor and pretend you don’t know me.”

“Okay.” He grabbed her arm and halted her progress. “What’s going on?”

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