Page 18 of One Pucking Chance

There’s never a dull moment, and our chemistry seems effortless. Call me crazy, but I can picture a lifetime with this woman, a thought I’ve never had about anyone else.

She stretches an arm out to her side and runs it across the soft grass beyond the blanket. Something catches her eye, and she bends to get a closer look. “Oh my gosh.” She plucks at something in the grass. “It’s a four-leaf clover!” She holds the clover out to me. “I’ve never found one of these in my life.”

“It’s a sign,” I say.

“For?”

“For us. This date. I think it’s telling you to take a chance, and you’ll get lucky.”

“Lucky?” She puckers her lips and raises her brows, looking very accusatory.

I laugh. “Not that kind of lucky. Like lucky in life.”

“Hmm.” She takes in the small clover in her grasp. “I’m going to take this back and press it between a couple of books or something so I can save it.”

“Yeah, you should.”

All guys have a dream girl, someone they hung posters of in their teenage rooms. Someone who occupies their mind when they want to feel good. We all have a not-in-this-lifetime celebrity crush. But not all of us get a date with her. The closest most of us get to our dream girl is a picture of her on our phone.

Yet I’m sitting across from mine.

Maybe I’m in awe, my brain fuzzy with the rush of spending time with my crush, but I’m feeling things I’ve never felt. Wanting things I’ve never wanted. Loving every second of this first date knowing it won’t be our last. Until Annalise shatters it all.

“I’ve had the best time tonight, Jaden. I’m so glad we did this. It was amazing to get out and take my mind off work. Thank you for a perfect evening. And I don’t know… maybe we can stay friends somehow. Like texting pen pals.”

Texting pen pals? What in the actual fuck…

My face must give me away. Annalise reaches across the blanket and takes my hands in hers. She continues, her voice quieter now. “I’m sorry. I was serious when I said this was a one-night thing for me. It’s nothing against you, I promise. You’re great, and I’ve had the best time tonight. I’m just not in a dating place. You know? Plus, I’m only here for another month, and then I’m off to the next shooting location. I’m really focused on my career right now. I wouldn’t be any good at dating, anyway. I’m sorry.”

I swallow and force a smile. “You don’t have to apologize. I’m glad you had a good night. And who doesn’t need another friend.” The words are sour as they leave my mouth. Placating nonsense that in no way represents the way I really feel. I feign nonchalance, though I feel dead inside.

I’ve learned a lot about Annalise tonight, but what strikes me the most is that she is just as stunningly beautiful on the inside as on the outside. Now that I’ve spent time with her and know a little bit more about her, I’m more obsessed with her than ever.

I can’t force anyone to want me—I know that. But it doesn’t mean I can’t try.

CHAPTER

NINE

ANNALISE

ARolls Royce Phantom limousine in bright white with chrome finishings pulls up to the studio at eight o’clock sharp. The driver opens the door for me, and I get in. My father has flown in for the evening to have dinner with me. He’s closed down an entire restaurant for us so we can eat in private. As much as he proclaims to want privacy, he sends the flashiest limo I’ve seen in a while, making me wonder if he genuinely wants this dinner to go unnoticed. He’s a walking contradiction, and after twenty-six years on this earth with him, I still can’t figure him out.

The limo pulls up in front of an upscale Italian restaurant, and my stomach rumbles. It was such a busy day on set that a protein shake and some carrots were all I managed to eat. The food table during our lunch break went untouched, as I spent the time looking over a couple of rewrites to make sure I had my lines memorized. I was summoned to makeup prior to shooting and only had time to snag a handful of baby carrots on my hasty walk there.

I can always tell a good Italian restaurant by the quality of their calamari, and by the looks of this place, their calamari is going to be killer.

My dad sits in the very back corner of the empty restaurant. His attention is on his phone, and he doesn’t realize I’ve entered until I’ve stopped right in front of him.

“Anna love.” He stands from the table, gently holds my shoulders, and air-kisses each cheek. It’s all very formal and the way he’s greeted me my entire life.

“Father.” I smile and take a seat beside him.

I place the cloth napkin on my lap and take a sip of the red wine waiting at my place setting. Looking around for the server, I say, “I’m ready to eat.”

My father releases a heavy sigh. “Have some decorum, Annalise.”

I frown. “Um, I’m sorry. Is there a reason we can’t order right away? I was so busy today, I haven’t eaten much.”

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