Page 67 of Arse Over Irish Teacup
“I’m working here doing research for a book. It’s about a couple that fall in love after she crushes him under an avalanche of canned tomatoes.”
“The lost cat of Roan’s grandmother that you asked about? He came back last night!”
“Figures it would come to you. So, you’ve started your crazy cat lady collection?
“I’ll wait till I get back to Minnesota to start that. He’s very friendly only he was sleeping on top of my head and I startled him.”
“Did you get home okay?”
“Of course, I did. Roan is a nice guy,” she said indignantly. What exactly was he trying to say? He’d better not be implying she was loose again.
“I didn’t mean to imply that he wasn’t.” Sure, he did. Hey, Roan was a friend but they weren’t close. All’s fair in love and war. “I was only asking after your welfare.” Like hell he was. “Did he enjoy the wedding?”
“I think so, yes. I don’t know how thrilled he was that I caught the bouquet. His eyes went a little too round, you know?”
“Maybe he’s allergic to flowers or he’s just not ready to get married. You can’t fault the guy for that. So, you’re buying groceries …” He examined the items already in her cart, most of it was cat food.
“Do you know where the eggs are? I can’t find them.” There were two hundred kinds of yogurt but no eggs.
“That’s because you’re thinking like an American. Here, eggs are fresh and kept on the shelf.” He led her to the eggs and as promised, they were on a shelf. “Did you enjoy the wedding? You know, aside from my sister being my sister?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did you find my note?”
“Yes, I did.” She tried so hard to stay cool but her phony, uninterested face cracked into a smile.
“Does this mean you’re staying?”
“Yes, I am.”
Aidan grinned a little and nodded.
“I had Lauren cancel my flight. I figured I would give my trip another shot. Like you said, why come all the way here only to give up?”
You’re up Turner, you got her to stay. Now what? “In that case, how would you like to see the places from the book? I would take you myself.”
Her excitement couldn’t be contained. “Really? You would do that?” Maybe this is why he wanted her to stay. Her heart sunk a little but she reminded herself that he hadn’t actually showed genuine interest in her. They were friends, and that was enough.
“Sure, I would. We’re friends, aren’t we? How is tomorrow morning? We’d be gone all day.”
Was he kidding? All day getting a personal tour of the places from her most favorite book ever? She replied with as much self-control as a chocoholic in a candy shop. “Tomorrow is good. Do I need to bring anything?”
“Just yourself, but wear comfortable shoes.” He looked down at her feet and saw her toes wiggling like crazy inside her sneakers. “Now, I owe my mom dinner so I have to get going.” He took a step then turned to her with a smile. This time, he wasn’t running off. “See you in the morning, Spinner.”
Yowza was that man hot when he smiled a big toothy grin. Earth to Bethany! He’s not for you. Blink! Focus!
Aidan cooked? Beth looked at the contents of Aidan’s cart. Among other things, he had fresh herbs, two varieties of Italian cheese, several cans of tomatoes, three kinds of meat … For the first time in her life, she wished she wasn’t allergic to tomatoes.
With a smile that met her eyes, she continued down the aisle in the opposite direction as Aidan. Yes, this trip was definitely turning around.
She then realized she’d forgotten her eggs and nearly turned back to fetch some when she spotted a dozen resting in her cart beside a loaf of bread. Beth smiled to herself, Aidan must have placed them there. She opened up the lid to inspect them. They were brown, just the right size, and none were broken.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
Back at theblue cottage with the bright yellow door, Beth stepped inside with two bags of groceries in tow and was greeted by a hungry Mr. Jameson.
“Were you a good boy while I was gone?”
