Page 36 of A Chance at Forever
“Sure. But, um, we need to change our clothes first.” Rusty gestured toward the dried blood on both of them.
Victoria’s eyes widened. “Oh, of course. I’ll meet you out front in thirty minutes?”
“Yeah. In thirty.”
*
What am Idoing?Rusty asked himself over and over as he showered and dressed in old jeans and a sweatshirt.I shouldn’t be doing this. Scoring points with Tori. Tori?? When did I start thinking of her like that? She’s afraid I’ll play her for a fool, and even if my intentions are noble, my future is uncertain. Oh, man, I never thought I’d meet anyone who could make me want a future with her.
Okay, don’t get ahead of yourself. Tori doesn’t want a relationship with you. That’s good. Keep her in the friend zone.
He laughed at his humor. “Friend zone. End zone. No touchdown for you, pal. No kick-off. No passes. No interceptions. A little fumbling, if you’re lucky.” Rusty slapped his forehead. “Oh, man, what am I thinking?”
The flowery scent of Victoria’s hair and skin when she met Rusty at his truck didn’t do anything to curb his wayward thoughts. He yearned to run his fingers through the dark, silky strands flowing down her shoulders like an ebony waterfall. Imagining caressing her soft skin caused his blood to sing through his veins.
He banished the images and smiled at her. “Ready?”
“Yep.” Her blue-gray eyes shone with anticipation.
Rusty helped her settle inside the cab and climbed behind the wheel. “You look pretty.” The words came out before he could stop them. She wore jeans, a pink blouse, and a denim jacket. Victoria didn’t need to wear makeup, but he had to admit the mascara caused her eyes to pop and her shiny pink lip gloss drew attention to her kissable mouth. He braced himself for a tongue lashing.
Instead, she blushed. “Uh, thanks.”
He let out his breath. “Okay, we’re off. Mind if I turn on the radio?”
“No, not at all.”
“You said you liked oldies, right?”
“Right.”
Rusty tuned into a popular station that played oldies. Victoria hummed beneath her breath, then belted out the lyrics to every song. His heart soared with the light tenor of her voice.
CHAPTER 11
Victoria pointed atJenkins Used Furniture, and Rusty parked along the curb. He helped her from the cab, and they entered the store. When a sales associate approached them, Victoria explained she wanted pieces for stage sets, and he directed her toward an older section of the showroom. Browsing at her leisure, she found a plain brown loveseat and asked Rusty if it would fit in his truck.
“We’ll make it fit. My old truck will hold a ton.”
Victoria grinned. “Good, because I see an old-fashioned wing-backed chair I want…” Her voice trailed away, and she grabbed his hand. “Rusty, look! Do you see that old steamer trunk?” She pulled him toward the trunk to examine it more closely. “It’s so authentic, don’t you think?”
Rusty bent over to get a better look at it. The sturdy, rustic construction sported nicks, dings, and scratches, a testament to its use through the years. “It’s a great piece. Very hard to find such craftsmanship nowadays.”
“I love it. Come on. Let’s see what else we can find.”
She dragged him through the crowded spaces, excited as a little kid in a candy store as she chose a small round table with two matching chairs and a wooden rocker. After Victoria paid for the furniture, Rusty and the sales associate loaded the pieces into the back of his truck. Everything fit, as he predicted.
“Do you mind if we go to a vintage consignment shop next?” she asked.
“I’m game. Which way?”
“Go to the end of the street and make a right. There’s one several blocks over.”
In the consignment shop, Victoria’s natural warmth and charm captivated Rusty. When she found a floppy hat, she tried it on and pretended she was acting on stage by making funny faces. Rusty laughed at her antics and pulled out his cell phone to take pictures. She lifted a 1920’s black and gold flapper dress from a rack and went into a dressing room with it. Rusty handed her a feather boa and a headband.
Victoria stepped out of the dressing room and declared in her most dramatic impression of Gloria Swanson, “I’m ready for my close-up, Director.” Rusty snapped photo after photo.
The best moment came when she tried on a poodle skirt and sweater and came out singing “Summer Lovin’” from the musicalGrease. Rusty switched to video mode and recorded her dancing through the aisles. She drew an audience, and at one point attempted to get him to sing with her, but he shook his head. A few customers applauded when the song ended.
