Page 13 of Curvy Crush
I nod. “Yeah, I’m about halfway through the canvases now, so there shouldn’t be any problem keeping up.” I can’t help, but wonder why he’s asking. Is he sick of me already? Have I really caused that many problems even though I’d tried to stay out of his way?
He nods and continues walking. “Good, good,” he says like he’s not sure what else to say. His hands are in his pockets and his head is down as we walk, and I can tell how awkward this is for him. It makes me wonder more about how he must always be alone and how he isn’t used to having to do much talking. He looks up. “Well, here we are.” He removes one hand from his pocket and pulls the door open, allowing me to step inside.
Chapter Twelve
EVAN
Ifeel nervous and awkward around her. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around any one person this much. It’s also been a long time since I actually had to be present in the moment and keep a conversation going. Something about her draws me to her. Watching her photographing the canvases earlier gave me more of an insight into who she is. I watched her from my office while she worked. I saw the drive in her, the passion, the need to bring life to these paintings. Seeing that creative side of her only made me want her more, like I’ve found the common ground between us.
I didn’t know what I was thinking when I asked her to join me for lunch, only that I wanted to spend more time with her, really get to know her. I guess before, I had thought of her as some woman who carried a camera around as a hobby, but now that I’ve seen her passion and drive, I know I was wrong in my assumptions. Even though I tell myself to keep the distance between us, something won’t let me.
I pull the door open for her and watch as she walks past me to step inside. I can’t keep my eyes off her round ass that sways from side to side with her every step. Those jeans are tight and leave little to the imagination. I try to shake these thoughts from my head. I step up behind her in line and my eyes keep wanting to glance down to her ass, but I make it a point to stare at the back of her head instead. Her red locks look luscious and soft. I want nothing more than to tangle my hand into her hair and feel the smooth strands run between my fingers.
The man at the head of the line steps to the side and Lola moves up. “I think I’ll just have the vegetable soup and a small side salad, please,” she orders.
“Okay, that’ll be—”
“Actually, it’s on me,” I say stepping up. “And can I add an Italian Club sandwich and a bag of original potato chips?”
The lady behind the register smiles and nods. “Of course.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Lola says, looking up at me with her big, blue eyes.
“I invited you. I’m not going to make you pay,” I say around a grin.
Her cheeks turn pink, but she pulls her eyes away.
I hand over some money and watch as she walks to the little stand that holds the napkins and silverware. She gathers up what we need while I stand back and wait for the food. I’m handed a tray moments later, and I carry it over to a small, two-person table that’s directly in front of the window. She comes over to join me and we both take a seat.
“This feels a little weird, doesn’t it?” I ask, unwrapping my sandwich.
She giggles. “It kind of does. It’s just so out of the blue. I mean, I was worried about avoiding you and not making a sound and then you ask me to lunch. To be honest, I was convinced that you didn’t like me.” She pulls her silverware out of the paper sleeve and prepares to eat.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention. I’m just… used to being alone. My people skills are lacking.” I can’t help but to smile with the last word.
She offers up a half smile as she looks up from putting the dressing on her salad. “Do you live alone?”
I nod.
“And you work alone most of the time?”
Again, I nod.
“Wow, I don’t think I could take it.”
I shrug. “I get small doses of people when I come to get breakfast or lunch.”
“You’re practically a hermit.”
I laugh. “I really am.”
“So, what do you like to do for fun?”
I take a bite of my sandwich and think it over while I chew. “I live just out of town. I have some property and a pond, so I like to fish. I read a lot. But mostly, I just work. I’ll spend my day at the studio and then go home to make some dinner, clean up, maybe get some reading done, and then I’ll go to sleep.”
“Wow, so like, you never go out with friends or to see a movie, have a beach day?”
I laugh. “No, I can’t even remember the last time I did any of those things. Years, I guess.”
