My heart pounds against my ribs as I stare up into the bearded mountain man's baby blues. He stands before me, awkwardly holding the cans of food I had just frantically picked up after slamming into his massive frame. I'm clearly in fight-or-flight mode because adrenaline is coursing through my body. Looking into his eyes gives me a sense of safety, despite my embarrassment for having slammed into him.
The market doors ding behind me, and I immediately hear my aunt's shrill voice. Turning, I find her stomping over to me, already talking with her typical irritation.
"I thought that was you! Why did you run in here like a scared little bunny?"
"I didn't run in here like a scared little bunny," I say, but she's talking over me and not listening to a word, per usual.
"I don't know why you're behaving like this! And where is your boyfriend who you promised would be here?"
Yet again, Great Aunt Gertrude doesn't allow me to answer. She continues chewing me out about still being unmarried at myage. Her lecture morphs into background noise as I wonder if my cousin CeCe would care if I just headed back to Arizona instead of spending the long weekend here.
I'm still fantasizing about driving back to Phoenix when the tall mountain man I slammed into walks up and introduces himself to my aunt. And somehow he knows my name.
I watch as my great aunt shakes his hand, turning to look at me with an approving grin.
"Lexi, why didn't you tell me your boyfriend was here in the market?" she purrs. "Goodness. Look how handsome and strong he is."
I realize my mouth is gaping open like an empty-headed goldfish, and I blink up at the tall stranger, who's apparently named Floyd, grinning down at me.
"Well, hon, let me just pay for the soup, and we'll get you to the cabin. I know you're dying to relax by the lake," he says, then turns to Aunt Gertrude. "Do you need anything before we head to our rental?" he asks, giving her a lopsided grin that I can tell wins her over even more.
"Oh, no, no. I just saw Lexi while driving by. That's the only reason why I stopped. You two go enjoy yourselves," my great aunt purrs before giving my arm a gentle pat and walking out of the market.
I stare dumbly at the doors closing before turning to my white knight in shining armor. I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. My head buzzes with everything that has just occurred in the last five minutes.
"Sorry for butting in. She was just being so rude to you, and I acted without thinking," he says, smiling down at me. His bright blue eyes crinkle at the corners, giving him an extra sexy, distinguished look, which makes my pussy jump to attention.
"No. It's okay," I say, looking around the market before blurting out, "Shit! I just realized now she's going to expect you at the wedding."
Panic washes over me.
"Uh, sure. Okay."
I look up at the mountain man and can't help but burst out laughing.
"No way, dude! It's alright. You do not have to come to my family wedding with me," I say, shaking my head, my mind going a mile a minute.
"No, it's cool. I'm willing. Seriously, I'm the idiot who stepped in and introduced myself to your aunt, anyway. I wasn't really thinking, but I'm happy to help," Floyd says.
He then settles up with the guy at the cash register, and we walk out to the parking lot with the June afternoon sun blinding us. Squinting, I look up at the mountain man who is giving me a sheepish grin.
"Listen, I mean it. I'm happy to go to your wedding. I'm the idiot who said something to your aunt, so I don't want to get you into any trouble or have her give you any more grief. Are you staying nearby?"
"Yeah. A rental cabin on Lake Summit."
"Perfect. I live on Lake Summit too," he says, his eyes lighting up.
"Oh, cool. My place is the one with the turquoise shutters. I don't know if any other cabins have shutters like that."
"You're at my buddy Murphy's place. I help him out there sometimes."
"Yeah! Murphy Atwater. That's the guy who has been communicating with me," I say, feeling some relief that this guy apparently is friends with the owner.
We stare at each other for a beat.
"Do you mind if I think about it for a bit? About the wedding that is?" I ask.
"Of course. Hey, I always take an evening swim. Want me to swing by later this evening to see what you've decided?"
