Page 26 of Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts 2)

9

Candi

Since we’re having dinner in, I’ve picked a casual outfit; my white asymmetric-halter bodysuit, skinny jeans, and Gucci belt. Gotta keep the manifesting vibes going with my belt.

There’s a knock on my door. Three twenty-nine. How does he do that? When I open the door, that subtle, spicy scent he wears drifts into my nose.

His eyes widen as they trail down my body. “Wow. Uh.” He takes a small step back, his broad shoulders expanding. “You look incredible.”

Warmth rushes through my cheeks. “Thank you.”

“Are you ready? I thought I’d cook for you at my place since I know where everything is. But only if you’re comfortable with that.”

I love how respectful he is and always makes sure I’m okay with what he’s thinking. “Yeah, that’s fine.” I grab my straw tote that I always bring to the farmer’s market with me.

The market is right around the corner so we walk there, him holding my hand. We catch each other up on how the rest of our week went.

When we get to the market, we stroll up and down the aisles, taking in the scents of ripe fruits and vegetables, sweet baked goods, and fragrant flowers. I love that they always have jazz music playing, except at Christmastime when they play old-fashioned Christmas songs.

“What are you in the mood for?” he asks.

“How about fish? And a couple veggies?”

“Sounds good. Do you like orange roughy?”

“I haven’t had it before. Is it really fishy tasting? I like fish, but I don’t like it too fishy.”

He smiles. “I think you’ll like this then, it’s very mild,” he says, taking my hand. “Come on, this booth down here has the best fresh fish.”

He pays for the orange roughy and we get avocados and asparagus at the next booth over.

“Do you want anything else?” he asks.

“How about dessert?” With all the sugar wafting through the air, I’m very much in the mood for something sweet.

“Oh I’ve got that covered.” He winks as a coy smile dances on his lips. “I think we’re done. Unless you want to look around at any of the other booths.”

“I’ll peek as we work our way out.” Though I rarely get anything at the crafty booths, I do enjoy looking through them. Occasionally, I’ll pick up a gift.

My bag filled with dinner ingredients and him holding my hand, we walk leisurely through the rest of the aisles. It’s relaxing, comfortable, natural.

The booth next to the exit is billowing with dozens of tall containers of beautiful fresh flowers. I love flowers. There’s something about them that always makes me happy.

“Pick some out,” he says, nodding.

I pick a bundle of ranunculus in soft hues of coral, pink, and salmon and hand them to the young girl who works there. “I’ll take these, please.” She smiles and takes them from me, wrapping them in a thick brown sheet of paper. The total comes to $32.87.

He hands her a fifty-dollar bill, puts the bundle in my bag, takes my hand, and walks away. “Thank you,” he calls out over his shoulder.

I turn to look back at her. She’s holding the bill in her hand with her arm extended forward a bit and her lips are open. “But, sir…” She looks around, stunned, confusion painting her face. Then she curls her hand in toward her chest and drops her chin. When she lifts her head, her eyebrows are pinched together. She catches my gaze, puts her hand up at chest-height, and mouths, “Thank you.”

My heart warmed by his gesture and her reaction; I smile at her.

“That was very kind of you.”

“That girl works hard. She’s here every time I come to the market. Hustles too. Her hands are dirty and nicked, her jeans are worn. Nicco paid forward to me the kindness Destiny’s mom paid to him. I’m no millionaire —yet.” A cheesy grin quirks at his lips. “But I have the ability to do things like that, so, when the opportunity is there, I take it. I’ve never had an occasion to buy flowers from her, but I always see her when I leave.”

My heart just melted a little.

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