Page 115 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
“Fucking estrogen in the air,” I said. “Do you think Vera has it pumped into the villas?”
Emma shook her head. “Crop duster.”
We both burst out laughing.
I’d had to walk the gauntlet on my way to the truck. Aka, I had to go past our friends gathered on the front patio. I endured all their catcalls, doing my best to ignore them. As I stepped down the last step, I saw Dana coming toward the villa. I considered hurrying off, hoping she wouldn’t see me, but that wouldn’t be fair.
“Hey,” I said casually as I met her on the path.
“Hey yourself,” Dana said. She looked me up and down. “Turn around.”
Without thinking, I did. Then I felt self-conscious. I didn’t want to flirt with her or have her flirt with me any longer.Ugh.I couldn’t consider what that meant.
When I met Dana’s gaze, she said, “Robyn will like what she sees.” There was no leering or innuendo in her tone.
“Uh, thanks,” I stammered.
“Relax. I know when I’m outmatched.” Dana winked. “You’ve got it bad, my friend.” She clapped her hand on my shoulder. It was reminiscent of how a buddy would touch me, not someone trying to seduce me.
It made me smile. This time, I found my voice. “Thanks. Ya know, I like this version of you.”
“Ya mean the one not hiding behind the mask?”
“Yeah.” I grinned. “I think we might become friends.”
“Aw, shucks, did you just ask me to be your friend?”
I laughed. “When you put it that way, it sounds stupid.”
“Just giving you shit.” Dana smiled. “Um, do you think we can forget thatme trying to get into your pantsthing?”
“If we can forget thatmeshoving you against the side of the shedthing.”
Dana laughed. “Deal.”
We bumped fists before I made my way toward the pickup.
Wow.This place was getting under my skin. Two weeks ago, if Emma told me I’d be happy not getting into Dana’s pants, I would have laughed at her. Instead, I headed toward my pickup truck to go on a date with the girl next door.Unbelievable.
The girl next door’s face flashed through my mind, and I realized there was nothing ordinary about her. Her penetrating brown eyes, so full of intelligence, were alluring, even with the crow’s feet beginning to form in the corners. But it was more than her looks. It was the way she carried herself. The way she moved. A mixture of confidence and strength, with a hint of feminine vulnerability. Even though I knew she could take care of herself, I sought to protect the soft side of her, while I wanted—no, I needed—her strength.
I arrived at the truck and climbed in. Just sitting behind the wheel, I felt badass. I wished I could get one when I returned to the city, but it wasn’t practical. The thought of returning to thecity sobered me. No, tonight I wouldn’t think of it. Tonight, I wanted to immerse myself in Robyn.
My heart raced when I pulled up in front of Robyn’s bookstore. When Robyn stepped out, my breath caught. She wore a casual beige linen dress that came to mid-thigh. Her sleeves were short, like mine, but unlike my shirt, her neckline plunged. A tiny gemstone laid against her tanned chest and seemed to point to her cleavage. Her signature tousled hair was a little more tamed but barely.
I jumped from the truck and hurried toward her. “Wow, you look amazing.”
She smiled. “You’re looking pretty good yourself.”
I smiled back, self-conscious. I put my hand on her elbow and led her toward the truck. Upon arriving, I opened the door and held out my hand, so she could step up.
“Chivalry isn’t dead,” she said with a smile.
“Uh, does this bother you? I mean, if it does, I can back off.”
Robyn squeezed my hand. “I think it’s sweet.”
The restaurant she’d picked had been amazing. They served sushi to rival the best I’d had in the city. We’d talked and laughed, keeping our conversation light. I fought against getting too comfortable. We still needed to talk, but I would enjoy the moment while I could.
