He flashes us a perfect gleaming smile, the white of his teeth striking against his tanned skin. His blue eyes sparkle as he turns his gaze to me. Now that he’s closer, I can see that he’s young. Much too young for me.
“Hello, Mrs. Lin,” he says to Ming. “How are you?”
“I’m very well, thank you.” She turns to me. “This is Connie.”
I offer my hand. “Actually, it’s Corrie,” I tell him. “Nice to meet you.”
He smiles. “I’m Alex.”
“Alex is new here. He builds things… beautiful tables and benches,” Ming says.
I nod as my gaze assesses him unapologetically, from top to bottom. Damn, if only I were a few years younger. I figure the boy is already taken — a perky little young thing who loves surfing, Instagram and Brazilian waxes.
“Your dogs are adorable,” he says. “I’ve been looking to get a dog. Maybe you could give me some tips.”
“You like Pomeranians?” I ask. “They can be a handful.”
He shakes his head. “I was thinking more of a larger dog… a lab or a retriever.”
“Well, can’t help you there,” I say.But if you’d like a back rub, I’m your gal.
“Alex is very talented,” Ming tells me. “He makes beautiful things. He made Beatrice’s table.”
I’m pleasantly surprised and don’t bother to hide it. “Really?! Wow! I love that table… it’s gorgeous. You areverytalented.”
His smile is bashful. “It’s no big deal. The wood is beautiful… it’s easy to work with. Once I get my hands on it, it all falls together.”
Suddenly, I want his hands onme.I don’t care how young he is.
“I’ve actually been in the market for a table,” I tell him, which is probably coming off as a total come-on. He probably thinks I’m a hot-and-bothered cougar. Well, I sorta am, but that’s beside the point. I reallydoneed a table.
His face lights up. “You should come to my studio and check out my stuff. I live just a few cottages down that way.” He shoots his long arm out, pointing toward his place, and I glance at his perfect jawline, darkened with a two day beard. He truly is a God. “It’s the royal blue cottage.”
I’m surprised. That’s a big place, probably worth quite a lot of money. I wonder if his parents own it.
“Yes, definitely,” I say, hoping his parents aren’t there, if they do own the place.
Truly, I’m shameless.
“Come anytime,” he says, all smiles. “I’m always around.”
Don’t you have a real job?I want to ask. So many questions. “Will do.”
He stares off into the distance, and Ming is just standing there, mouth agape staring up at him — probably having the same fantasies I’m having.
“Well, I should get going,” he finally says after a long beat. “Just getting my afternoon sun.”
Ming lets out an audible sigh, and I stifle a laugh. We both stand, staring shamelessly at his backside as he walks away.
“Well…” I say. “I should probably get going too. The puppies are restless.” I’m not just making an excuse to get away — Abby and Baxter never like to stand in the same spot for too long.
She smiles. “It was nice to see you, Connie.”
“You too. Keep smiling, Ming.”
I set out in the opposite direction Alex took. I turn and look out for him in the distance. He’s just a speck now. A beautiful, sexy speck.
* * *
