Page 33 of Accidentally Mine
“You think?”
“Hell, yes, that sweetheart was practically eating out of your hand.”
I let out a snort and sank into the car’s plush leather seat.I’d seen interest in her eyes.At least, I thought that was interest.But there was definite hesitation too.She’d been hurt by that jealous asshole of an ex.As much as I wanted to be with her, I needed to take things slow.“Well, you’re a bigger love expert than I am, for sure.So…what’s my next move?”
As if to pour salt in the wound, Phil Collins suddenly started crooning “You Can’t Hurry Love” on the radio.Ernest turned it down and gave me a serious look.“You like this chick?”
I gave him a dark look through the rearview mirror.He knew I didn’t jump through hoops for women every day.In fact, I never had before.“Obviously.”
“Then you do something unexpected.A grand romantic gesture.”
I leaned forward, frowning.It had been a long time since I’d attempted an even remotely romantic move.Flowers?Candy?Too lame.
Ernest shrugged.“It’s a great day.Lady on the radio said we’re getting up to seventy, and nothing but blue skies.”
I waited for something other than the weather report.When it didn’t come, I prompted, “So?”
“So.Take her on a picnic.”
“Ah.”I turned that over in my head.“How can Itake heranywhere if she’s deliberately avoiding me?”
“You know where she lives now, at least.You bring the picnic to her.”
An idea began forming in my head.
I massaged the back of my neck with my hand, tense with anticipation as the plan solidified.I reached into my pocket for my phone, to add it to my Key so I wouldn’t lose the thought on the trip.“Can you get me to Formaggio?”
That was how I ended up buying five hundred dollars’ worth of picnic shit and heading down to Roselynn’s aunt’s house in South Boston at ten-thirty in the morning.I wasn’t sure if this was grand and romantic or just wicked stupid.But I had nothing to lose.
One last try.If she didn’t bite this time, I’d give up.
I showed up at the house with a wicker picnic basket and went to knock on the front door, just as it opened.
Roselynn jumped back, clutching at her heart.“Oh, my god!You scared me.”
I covered my nose.“Watch out.”
She smiled, which I took as a good sign.Her gaze trailed down to the basket.“What’s that?”
“A picnic.”
Her eyes widened.“For me?”
“Actually, for the guy next door.”I frowned at her.“Chowderhead.”I motioned for her to come outside the screen door.When she did, I almost forgot why the hell I was there in the first place.She was wearing a pair of jeans so tight they looked painted on, highlighting the incredible curves of her tiny waist, full hips, and ass.My dick twitched.
Collecting myself, I pointed to her postage-stamp front lawn, where Ernest had already set up the red-checkered blanket and was working on lighting candles.
She covered her face with her hands.“Oh, my god.”
I reached for her hand and led her down the steps.She stood staring, dazed.
Her aunt appeared in the doorway and clapped her hands excitedly.“A picnic!How romantic.”
This gesture may have been romantic, but the things I wanted to do to her niece on that checkered blanket were definitely not.Whoa.Calm yourself, Paul Revere.Don’t jump on the horse until you see the signal.
Roselynn pressed her lips together, and her brow furrowed.“It’s so nice.Really.But I have to take my aunt to the doctor in Bunker Hill.We’re already late.”
“That was the reason you couldn’t meet me?”
