Page 85 of Third Time Lucky

‘A dessert rooftop picnic,’ I say with a nod. ‘Not a terrible idea, and she’s only seen me bake that one time with Audrina.’

‘Madi hasn’t seen me baked yet,’ he jokes. ‘Paint and bake – sounds like a hippie date. I’m gonna add that to my list.’

‘You’re almost good at this romance thing.’

‘You act like I’m just a pretty face,’ he says with a huff, crossing his arms defensively. ‘I didn’t choose to look like this,’ he adds as if it’s his cross to bear.

‘Don’t fret, love, you’re the most handsome man I’ve ever met,’ I say, only a hint of sarcasm in my tone.

‘And wait until you see the roof. I’ve got romance, you tool, it’s just all up there.’

‘I’ll find out soon enough. I owe you for coming up with this plan.’

‘You can pay me back with details afterward.’

‘Never happening,’ I declare, opening up a website for a locally well-known graffiti artist and shooting her an email.

A notification from my phone catches my attention as it buzzes on the almost empty desk beside me. I look over, smiling like a fool, when I see her name on the screen.

Lucy

Fire & Spice – a potential name for your restaurant?

‘Hey!’ I call to Aaron, standing from my chair to find him after he wandered off. ‘What do you think of Fire & Spice?’

‘Fire’s good. Spices are good. Why?’

‘For a restaurant name?’ I add.

He nods his head as he contemplates it. ‘Fire and Spice… it flows well, and there will be fire and spices.’ He claps me on the back. ‘I think you just named the place.’

Fire & Spice. I like it too. Simple but telling.

I type a text to her – Aaron doesn’t need to know I didn’t think of it myself.

Asher

You are a genius. We love it.

Lucy

Really?

Asher

Aaron’s dreaming up a mock window design now.

Lucy

Yay!

Asher

BTW – Friday Night, 8p.m., dress casual, I’ll pick you up – date night.

Lucy

!!! Can’t wait!

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