Page 12 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

“You are not giving yourself any credit, Gemma,” she mumbled. “You were only ever with your husband. And we know how that went.”

“Rick said his company will be making me an offer,” I added quickly, switching subjects. “I am super excited for it, and it is more up my alley. There could be no better perk than working for the same company as Rick. And he is super excited too, already planning our lunches!”

“But, Gemma,” Betty frowned and tried one more time. “Kristoff Baldwin could…”

“Anyhow,” I cut her off, hoping to close the issue. “It’s over. I told him I’m not interested… or I’ve shown him I am absolutely not interested. There is no going back. I’ll go grab us round two. Same thing?”

She nodded and after a few minutes of standing in line, I walked back to Betty. The song “Remind me to Forget” came on and I strode to Betty with a smile on my lips. She was smiling back, knowing we both enjoyed the song. I moved my body with the sound of music and put both of our cups on the table. As the beat picked up, I swayed my body to the rhythm and Betty was doing the same, still sitting down, while raising her arms and swinging them.

A few boys whistled at us, clapped their hands, and cheered us on, chanting, “More, more, more.”

We both burst into laughter. “We should go clubbing,” Betty said laughing. “Looks like we still got our moves.”

“We’d probably be the only almost forty year olds there. There is nothing that will lift our spirits more than hanging around a bunch of twenty year olds.” My voice was sarcastic but Betty clearly didn’t pick up on it and started laughing

Betty’s laugh stopped abruptly, and her eyes widened in shock while looking over my shoulder. I turned to see what shocked her, fully expecting some kids to be making a stupid joke about us.

I froze. And my stomach rolled.

Kristoff Baldwin was striding through towards us. He was dressed in a button down, perfectly fitted suit. It highlighted his strong, muscular shoulders and his legs. I could just imagine their power pushing against me.Stop it, Gemma!

His walk was shouting confidence to everyone without even having to open his mouth. He stopped right next to us.

“Hello, ladies.” His voice gave me shivers, thinking of the words he told me while his fingers were in my panties, feeling my most sensitive skin. “I see you are having a good time. I’m sorry I’m interrupting.”

He didn’t sound sorry at all.

“You are way overdressed for Starbucks,” I said for no good reason. Then I mentally slapped myself.

Betty chimed in. “Hi.” I was so glad she didn’t have anything intelligent to say. Because in my shock, I felt dumbfounded. I was really counting on never seeing him again. Without another glance at her, he turned to me.

“Hello,” he responded, his eyes never wavering from me. “Genevieve… could I have a word?” His voice spoke of a dark, sensual bedroom, his body on mine. Me screaming his name.

“Ah… sorry,” I mumbled flushed. “I’m busy… we were just having tea… coffee.”

“Oh, Gemma,” Betty jumped in and stood up in a rush. “I don’t mind. Seriously. I have to go anyway.” I looked at her in desperation and noticed her pointed look. I shook my head in a barely noticeable no, but she ignored me. “I will pick up the girls for you, Gemma. Just swing by my house to get them.”

“Ah, Betty… no, that’s ok. I have time to get them,” I objected, my voice quivering.

“Don’t rush,” she said and started for the door. “I’ll pick them up.” And she was gone. I couldn’t believe she abandoned me. After everything I told her! She knew how uncomfortable I was in his presence.

We stood there in silence. I was waiting for whatever words he had to tell me, my hands wrapped around my tea cup sleeve, trying to hide how badly they were shaking.

Finally, I lifted my eyes to him and raised my eyebrow, catching him staring at me intently. “So… what do you want to talk about?”

“Would you have lunch with me?” He shocked the hell out of me. I looked at him with confusion.

“Right now?” I asked.

“Yes,” his voice… oh so seductive. I was biting my lip trying to figure out the best way to get out of being around him. This man was impacting me like nobody else ever had… and I didn’t like it. For my well-being, I cannot be around him.

Maybe if I had gotten laid since my late husband passed away, I wouldn’t be so horny around him. I mentally slap myself.I do not want him!

“It’s really too early for lunch.”What a lame excuse!“And I’m not hungry at all.” I sound like my daughter. I just had to add a whiny tone to my voice and I would have sounded identical. I chew on my lip, nervous being around him.

“We’ll be in public,” he assured me, noticing my indecision. As if he felt my will caving in, he took my hand. “Come with me.”

I should have just stayed in my spot; instead, I let him lead me out of Starbucks, his big hand on the small of my back. I didn’t even protest. He led me to a black luxury car. A man in a sharp suit got out and opened the rear door. Kristoff helped me into the car, although he knew fully well I did not need any help. His gaze stayed on my pink blouse for a little too long, and then he shut the door, only to come around the other side and get inside. He sat next to me, and I was careful to scoot closer to my door, not wanting his body to touch mine.

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