Page 25 of Twice as Tempting

“I think someone’s here to see you,” she said and then turned and walked away.

Kelly turned around, and there he was in the flesh, the hunky star of her dreams!

“Hey, Kell,” he said.

“Hey,” she replied, trying not to act surprised. “I thought you’d be at work.”

“I’m on my way. Just thought I’d stop by and say hi.”

Kelly quirked her eyebrows at him. Damian wasn’t the kind of guy who “just stopped by” unless he had a specific reason.

“And I wanted to ask you something,” he added.

That was more like him. “Ask away,” she said, her curiosity piqued.

Damian glanced around the store, but Mrs. Simmons was at the very back, flipping through books at the kid’s table.

“I…um…” Damian cleared his throat and started over. “I wondered if you would go out with me tonight.”

Kelly’s heart skipped a beat, and then her stomach dropped and her brow furrowed.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked,” Damian said in response to her disgruntled expression.

“No, no, it’s not that,” she said, which brought a smile back to his chiseled face. “It’s just that I already have plans.”

The smile disappeared. “Oh. Ok, then.”

Kelly wanted his smile back. She wanted to pull him behind the counter and wrap her arms around him. She wanted him to…

“Ask me again? Another time?”

“Yeah. Sure.”

The store phone rang, interrupting their awkward exchange. Damian gave her a brief wave and left while Kelly picked up the phone.

“A New Chapter. How can I help you?”

“It’s me,” Emma said.

They hadn’t spoken since the babysitting incident, and Kelly was happy to hear her friend’s voice.

“Hi.”

“I’m sorry,” they said in unison and then broke out in giggles.

“I really am sorry,” Kelly repeated. “And I promise not to ruin your wedding. It’s just that Damian’s got me so tangled up I can’t think straight.”

“What now?” Emma asked.

“Well, he just left the store after I turned him down for a date tonight.”

“You turned him down? Why?”

“Because I already have plans with Ken.”

“The vegan?”

“He’s not a vegan. He eats chicken and fish.”