Page 16 of Heart of Stone

“No, I wasn’t a total klutz the second time. But I wasn’t exactly smooth either.” I told her about what happened in aisle nine, and made sure to include the tantalizing way Alexander had chewed a piece of gum.

“I love it!” she exclaimed, dissolving into a fit of laughter when I told her how I had tossed a pack of Big Red into his cart.

“Yeah, well…I wanted to throw him off his game and I couldn’t think of anything better to do. I’m not too sure my brilliant idea worked, though,” I said with a frown. I thought back to his stunned look and felt slightly stupid over what I had done. “When I think about it, I can’t even begin to figure out why I found his gum chewing such a turn on. I mean, it’s gum. Gross, right? But it wasn’t. It was all kinds of crazy sexy.”

“He wants you,” she concluded, popping a french-fry into her mouth.

“Are you out of your mind? I made a complete fool of myself!”

“I don’t think so, Krys,” she replied knowingly. “I mean really – the guy came back to see you the very next day. He was concerned about how you were doing, he asks you a bunch of personal questions, makes a crap load of sexual innuendos, and has a philosophical discussion on the fundamentals of control. If that doesn’t scream ‘I wanna screw’, then I don’t know what does. Hell, the fact that you are even talking about him tells me that you want him too.”

“You’re wrong, Ally,” I said and felt my face redden. Her ability to read me was scary.

“Oh my god! You’re blushing. You really do like him, don’t you?” she said, obviously stunned. It was time to rein her in before this conversation got out of hand.

“You are making way too much out of this. First of all, he didn’t make sexual innuendos. Well, maybe one,” I conceded. “I think the rest was mostly made up in my head. And secondly, his questions weren’t personal. They were completely platonic and work related. Sure, maybe I wanted to strip him down right there in the middle of Wally’s, but it wasn’t like that for him. I’m certain that his only concern was a potential lawsuit.”

She frowned at me.

“You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re beautiful, Krys. I don’t know why you can’t see that. Is it so hard to believe that maybe, just maybe, he was interested in more than just the bump on your head?”

“I think the guy has the potential to be a total control freak, Ally. Been there, done that – remember? I won’t make that mistake again.”

I remained quiet then and looked down at my plate. I was sure that Allyson knew where my thoughts were heading, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, we ate our food in quiet, and I silently prayed that she wouldn’t bring up the forbidden subject of my past, the painful topic that I avoided at all costs. I didn’t want to gothere.

After several minutes had passed, she finally spoke.

“I know that you don’t want to talk about this,” she began softly. “You have scars that I can’t even begin to comprehend. But –,”

“You’re right. I don’t want to talk about it,” I stated flatly.

“Honey, every guy isn’t like Trevor.”

“Don’t you think I know that? I just haven’t found the right guy yet,” I snapped irritably. I didn’t add that I hadn’t really been looking for Mr. Right either. Two years past and more shrinks than I can count, and my wounds were still raw. A part of me worried that I’d never be whole again. “Maybe Ishouldjust become a lesbian.”

“What?” Allyson frowned, obviously thrown.

“Nothing – just something Jim said earlier at work,” I muttered. Allyson looked at me quizzically, but dismissed my comment with a shake of her head.

“Look, Krys. Acknowledging the fact that Stone even exists should be a sign for you. It’s a sign that you’re ready to move on. It’s time to get out there again. You haven’t dated anyone since you and Trevor broke up,” she reminded me.

“I’ve gone on dates!”

A few.

Allyson leaned back in her chair, folded her arms and smirked.

“Name one guy that you’ve gone on more than two dates with since you and Trevor broke up.”

There were none. I knew she was right, but I still couldn’t help jumping on the defense. It certainly wasn’t my fault that every guy I met wanted to get jiggy with it after only five minutes of conversation.

“Alexander Stone is probably one of the wealthiest men in New York. He’s way out of my league He can choose any woman he wants – why in the world would he want me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The fact that he’s loaded means nothing. Right now, you have two years of celibacy talking for you.”

“I haven’t been celibate for two years! You’re forgetting about Bryce, the music guy. Remember him?”

“You can’t possibly be serious!” she said in exasperation.

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