Page 5 of The Ruse of Romancing
“Still Sugar and Sea Bakery. I haven’t tried their allergy-friendly menu, but Joane’s an expert in the kitchen.”
“I don’t know...” The woman who’d initially captured my attention trailed off, biting her lip and drawing my gaze to a mouth I wouldn’t mind getting to explore up close and personal with my own lips. “We were planning to drive into Portland to try this restaurant with amazing potatoes that a friend recommended.”
“You’re going to drive two hours for potatoes when the world’s best sourdough is within walking distance?” My voice held a note of incredulity, hopefully just enough to pique their interest without putting the trio on the defensive. “If you don’t find something that instantly makes you fall in love with Joane’s food, lunch is on me.” If I knew one thing, women loved confidence. And if I could disguise a date invitation as a confidence flex, all the better.
“Is that so?” I could tell from her tone that I’d captured her attention. Now to reel her and her friends in. That was the other lesson I’d learned living on the coast and flirting with the manytourists who chose to grace Cascade Harbor with their presence every summer: If I wanted to woo a woman, I had to win her friends over too.
“Absolutely. I was just headed over there myself. I’d be happy to show you the way if you don’t mind a local temporarily crashing your girls’ trip.” I looked to her friends, knowing their buy-in would be essential if I was going to get beyond making a lunch recommendation. “The bakery is right next to our local bookstore, which is definitely worth a visit.”
This snagged their attention, their eyes lighting at the mention of a bookstore. Books and bread, the perfect combination to capture a woman’s interest.
“I’m down for a free lunch. You know how picky I am about food.” The third friend, this one a blonde with a nose-ring and pixie cut, chimed in. “And I’ve been wanting to pick up a copy of that one romantasy book after Lynette raved about it at book club. The title had something to do with pomegranates.”
The other women nodded their agreement, chiming in with their desire to visit the bookstore, and one corner of my mouth tipped up in victory. I was one step closer to getting some one-on-one time with the green-eyed beauty.
“I’m Mason and it looks like I’m the luckiest guy in all of Cascade Harbor.” I offered a hand to the green-eyed member of the group and held on a moment longer than necessary when she accepted my handshake.
“I’m Veronica,” she said, her voice containing a husky quality as her hand lingered in mine.
My lopsided grin shifted into a full wattage smile, even as I missed her friends introducing themselves.
“Veronica, has anyone ever told you that you would make an excellent model? I could sketch you every day for a year and I’m still not sure I’d capture the fire in your eyes or the exact shape of your bone structure.”
The blonde rolled her eyes over Veronica’s shoulder, but I ignored her, channeling all of my charm into my exchange with her friend. I was laying it on a bit thick, but my instincts told me that was exactly the right move for Veronica.
“I haven’t heard that before,” she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder in a flirtatious flip. “Are you an artist or something?”
“Or something,” I said, reaching for some well-timed humility as I gave a small shrug and began unloading my groceries onto the conveyer belt as the cashier finished ringing up her group’s purchases. “I’m a graphic designer. Though there’s still nothing like drawing a live model. It brings a level of challenge I can never get enough of.”
“Sounds interesting,” Veronica said, grabbing her bags and turning to leave the grocery store.
“I can tell you more about it over lunch,” I offered, stepping up to the card reader as the teenage cashier rang up my purchases.
“I’d like that.”
I resisted the urge to do a fist pump, instead appreciating the view as Veronica walked away with her friends. I’d have to thank my grandma for sending me on this last-minute grocery trip later. It looked like my Saturday plans had just taken a turn for the better.
Chapter 3
Dani
Cascade Harbor, Oregon
IfI’drealizedhowmuch of a hassle it was going to be to get from Salt Lake City, Utah to Cascade Harbor, Oregon, I would have canceled the trip before I stepped onto the plane. It was like the universe was punishing me for avoiding Poppy or something.
A medical emergency had delayed take-off, I’d tried and failed to write, my seatmate had spent the entire flight humming something out of tune, and, due to the take-off delays, I’d had to use the plane bathroom, which everyone knows should be avoided at all costs. The bathroom trip had also resulted in an unfortunate run-in with a flight attendant who hadn’t found myaccidentally bumping into her when I came out of the restroom at all funny.
By the time we landed in Portland it was well past dinner, and my stomach was ready to stage a full-fledged revolt. I stopped at a fast-food joint in the airport to snag a quick meal, catching up on texts and emails while I waited for my food. There was a text from Avery making sure I made it safely and another from my mother wishing me a safe trip. There were also a couple of texts in the “Cheaper Than Therapy” cousin chat, most of them dealing with the family reunion Sadie was headed to with her other side of the family and the drama that was guaranteed to follow.
There was also a message from Poppy:
Poppy:
Dani, did you use the essential oil blend I made for you? It has clary sage, lavender and peppermint. Those will aid in relaxation and help with your overactive bladder. Which is really just your body telling you your chakras are not aligned. You need to find some balance in your life.
I snorted as I read. Was there a bladder chakra? I’d have to ask Poppy when I got home, not sure if I really wanted to know but also genuinely curious.
The final text waiting for me was from Grandma Sue, my mom’s mom. She was the type of grandma I hoped to become someday: elegant, sassy, and involved in her grandkid’s lives. Though she did have a tendency to overshare about our cousin Kaden. As the spoiled only child of Grandma Sue’s only son, Kaden got away with murder. Based on her description, he walked on air and farted rainbows.
