"Youdo know that means Cipriani is going to most likely show up." Though hewasn't looking at her, the serious tone in his voice and the agitated twitchingmuscles in his jaw told her he was waiting for a response.
"It'sfine I'm over it," she lied.
***
Sittingcomfortably in the passenger seat of Gabriel's truck Salene questioned herselfon why she agreed to go shopping with the man. Expertly whipping the largetruck into the parking lot they both quietly stared at the huge wholesalestore.
"OkayI'm not sure if you have any Costco's in Florida, but I feel obligated toinform you on some vital information on how to survive this store."
Dramaticallyhe took off his sunglasses while staring pensively at the throng of enteringand exiting people.
Pursingher lips together to keep from laughing she answered just as seriously."Oh yes, we have these dens of great deals and hordes of zombies inFlorida. We have made it a rule in my family to never dwaddle, never acceptfood samples, and always to expect the grating noise of "oh Tom look at allyour getting for this price". She mimicked in her best old lady voice.
Gabriel'sdeep rich laughter in response made her smile.
"OkayI feel you are combat ready soldier," he hooked his shades on to thecollar of his T-shirt before hopping out of the truck.
Theinside wasn't as bad as the parking lot belied. Since they were advertising ahuge selection of outdoor furniture and accessories, Gabriel wanted to pick outnew items in preparation for the picnic. Salene had to admit shopping onsomeone else's credit card was fun. Normally she used the card he gave her whenshe first moved in for groceries, but now she was being asked to help fullystock the backyard. A task that would not be cheap considering his backyard washuge. Salene had only been in the sprawling backyard on a couple of occasionswith Bishop, the backyard felt like it had to be one acre or two at least.Surrounded by trees and a six-foot tall fence for privacy the large yard had agrand swimming pool and hot tub. Though the backyard was beautiful, there wasabsolutely no seating whatsoever.
Goingup and down the food aisles first, they bickered about everything. There wereitems he wanted, but she gently brought up the necessity of buying the item inbulk versus at a regular store. Of course, she just gave the man all he neededto argue with her about the cost of gas and getting said item later versus justbuying it now. And of course, that did nothing but set her off down a path ofproving him wrong, which he seemed clearly too happy to battle. Eventually,they made it to the lawn and garden section.
"Aswell as getting a permanent outdoor set I was thinking about renting somepicnic tables from a guy my dad knows." He was looking at the large setthat offered an enclosed gazebo.
"Thatis a good idea," she replied stepping away to look at a similar set."I really like…" She began to reply back to him as a high-pitchedvoice interrupted her.
"Ohmy God Gabriel Breslin," the voice came from the blonde woman approachinghim with her arms out, expecting half forcing a hug. "I have not seen youin forever."
SlylySalene sat down in the outdoor set that she was viewing and leaned back in herseat so she wouldn't be easily seen by the woman. Watching through the screen,the gazebo provided, she was able to watch the entire encounter. The woman tookher time releasing from the hug, remarking on how good Gabriel looked. Turninga little Gabriel covertly scanned the aisle with narrowed eyes. Covering hermouth to keep from laughing Salene watched in pure amusement as he forcedhimself through the small talk with the old acquaintance. An old acquaintancequite obviously hoping to rekindle the relationship.
Beingable to observe like this Salene could sympathize with the woman, of courseSalene would swallow nails before admitting it aloud. Gabriel was extremelygood-looking, that was just a fact. Today he wore a simple yellow T-shirt, somejeans, and boots, though the outfit was simple he wore them exceptionally well.The few times she has gone out with him in public it was quite common for theman to turn more than a few female eyes, today being no exception. Standingtall with a hand in his pocket while scratching the stubble on his cheek withhis other hand the man gave a pathetic forced smile as he said goodbye to thewoman. Highly annoyed he practically stomped up the aisle until he found herlaughing in the recliner.
"I'mgoing to kill you if you do that again," he growled shooting her avenomous look. "What the fuck kind of wingman are you?"
Laughingfor a couple more seconds, Salene wiped the tear from her eye. "Aww I'msorry, I didn't know I was supposed to be a wingman I honestly left because Ididn't want to be a blocker."
Givingher a snort in apparent disbelief he sat in one of the chairs as he glanced atthe price and details. "Yeah I have a hard time believing that consideringyou were most likely laughing the whole time."
"No,I swear…" Salene tried to convince him, but she couldn't stop laughing.
Flippingthe tag over and he read more of the details. "Yeah well, you will knowwhen I'm interested in a woman. I'm usually the one doing the pursuing."
Heprobably didn't mean for that statement to come off so powerfully, but it madeher whole body react nonetheless. The confident, masculine words immediatelyset off a heat deep within, annoyed with herself Salene stood up and grabbedthe cart.
"Ithink you should get this set since it has extra chairs and it includes weathercovers."
Surprisinglyhe agreed with her with no argument. With the items purchased and loaded withthe help of two employees, Salene climbed into the passenger seat inexhaustion.
"Don'tget too comfortable we have one more stop," he eased the loaded down truckonto the busy service road.
Groaningshe rested her head on the seat back as he maneuvered through traffic.Eventually, they stopped again but this time at a store dedicated strictly tooutdoor entertainment, "Grill me something good."
"Thereis a particular grill I want, and this place has it," he almost lookedexcited as he stared at the store while shutting off the engine. "It costa small fortune so prepare yourself now because I don't want you in my earnagging me about the price."
Gettingout of the car he didn't wait for her to argue that he was projecting his guilton the frivolous purchase on to her. Sluggishly she got out of the car and wentinside. The store was ice cold and had a new plastic scent that hit you themoment you walked in. There seem to be hundreds of grills ranging from allsizes spread across the floor all set up on faux grass and fake foodaccessories. It was actually really cute and clever, her inner marketing souloohed and awed over the kitschy concept.
"Hithere, can I help you find anything?" Turning, Salene was greeted by ahandsome guy with his hand extended.
Salenefelt as if she was caught in a tractor beam as she lifted her hand to meet his.Dear Lord, he was attractive, he had a tall toned body with deliciously darkbrown skin that looked like it was airbrushed smooth. Salene had to forceherself to answer that she was just looking all the while using every thread ofcontrol not to giggle like an idiot.
