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Instead of sitting down and facing the table, she climbed up so she could perch herself on the surface of it with her feet planted on the bench as she faced the street. Then she plunked her sack down next to her and opened the top before drawing out a bottle of water. After unscrewing the lid, she took a healthy drink and then set it on her other side.
She seemed to have a system going as she extracted a napkin and unfolded it to drape over her lap. Next came a sandwich housed in a clear bag. After unzipping that, she freed one diagonal half and began to eat.
I don’t know what it was about her but even the way she ate managed to mesmerize me. It reminded me of a hungry kid delighting in a slice of cold, juicy watermelon on a hot day. Holding it with both hands, she sank her teeth directly in that best center part, then she arched her back and stretched her legs out in front of her—probably curling her toes inside her dark shoes as she went.
When she began to sway slightly back and forth, I swear I heard muted humming coming from her direction, and I leaned toward the window, straining until I made out the melody of the Harry Potter theme song.
Damn, but I was reasonably sure I’d never seen anyone enjoy a sandwich as much as she seemed to be enjoying that one.
A jealous ache tightened its way across my chest. She emanated such peace and contentment that I momentarily wished I were her, just sitting there, eating a sandwich in the pleasant silence with no worries.
No cancer to think about, or doctor’s appointment to schedule, or bills to stress over. No annoying younger brother I had to strong-arm to do everything.
Yeah, that would be the life, wouldn’t it?
A gentle breeze drifted by, coaxing the woman to reach up and comb a piece of hair out of her face with her fingertips and tuck it behind her ear, where a silver dangling earring glinted in the sunlight. I swallowed, reluctantly acknowledging just how attractive she was.
Somewhere in my age range but probably a couple of years younger, she was slender and leggy with a wholesome, serene way about her. Her hair was dark and board-straight with the top part tied back save for two long bangs that hung down, framing either side of her oval-shaped face. I was too far away to catch her eye color or any other details; I just knew I liked what I saw, and the tightening that gripped me next occurred further down, closer to the groin area.
I shifted in my seat, tearing my attention away from her and growing uncomfortable by the impact she had on me. But then temptation drew me back, and I looked over again.
As she began to tear off the crust of her brea
d, I sniffed in amusement, smiling because Duke refused to eat the crust on his sandwiches too.
I didn’t realize she had other plans for her crust, however, until she spoke.
“There you are. I was beginning to wonder if you were coming today.”
Frowning, I glanced around, wondering who she was talking to. But then she tossed the bread onto the ground in front of her, and I finally noticed a small brown squirrel darting over the grass and leaves to approach her. As soon as the morsel of food landed, the furball snagged it up and hurried off again, scurrying up a tree.
She laughed, and my skin prickled with awareness.
I liked her laugh.
Longing filled my veins, and I no longer wished I were her but instead I wished I was sitting on that table beside her, eating the other half of her sandwich and chuckling as we bumped our shoulders together and watched the squirrel polish off its bread on a high branch.
I bet she smelled amazing. I inhaled deeply as if trying to breathe her in from here.
When a tingling spread over my scalp and then rushed down the center of my spine where it settled in deep, I knew I was taking the daydream too far. But I kept watching her anyway, captivated by the stranger who had no idea I was even—
“Hey, loser!”
“Jesus.” I jumped out of my skin as a familiar face appeared in the opening of the passenger side window, completely blocking my view of the brunette.
“Whatcha doing?” he asked with way too much cheer.
“Duke,” I scolded, pressing a hand to my heart and scowling when he merely laughed at my reaction. “Yeah, you’re so hilarious,” I added dryly, reaching forward to start the engine of the car. “Now get in. We’re already late.”
Still snickering over the mini scare he’d given me, Duke opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. “Well, excuse me for working,” he spouted back cattily.
I snorted. “Working, my ass.”
I’d believe that when I saw it. I had a feeling Duke hadn’t completed a full day of work in the eight months he’d been employed at the advertising firm he was at now. It wasn’t in his chemical makeup.
I think it just made him feel normal to play at having a job.
“Hey, I work,” he protested, only to snicker. “Sometimes.”
