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Icheck my watch and sigh deeply. I’ve been tapping my finger for nearly half an hour now.
Jesus, really? That long?I think to myself.I know it takes time for women to get dressed, but come on. It’s just a trip to the grocery store.
I angrily fumble for the door handle, ready to see what’s taking her so long, and finally catch it in my grasp. But before I can open it, the passenger door opens. Amber slides into the leather seat, looking at me with her endearing hazel eyes.
“I apologize for making you wait. My boss called earlier, and I couldn’t get off the phone,” she explains apologetically. I nod at her with a smile on my face. It’s almost impossible to hide my amusement for her. I feel slightly annoyed with myself for blaming the delay on makeup and clothes.
I should have known it wasn’t makeup keeping her. Besides, she’s beautiful enough without it. She’s never been that type, anyway. Work keeping her busy makes much more sense.
Thinking of her routines of quick freshening up and very little makeup takes me back to the past. I think about how long I’ve known her and realize that she’s never been like that, so I don’t know why it even crossed my mind. I feel like I should have known better than that. Have I forgotten who she really is?
My mind trails off to more memories of her, settling on the tiny spark there’s always been between us. I’ve never acted on it, of course, but deep down, it’s always been there. I catch myself smiling at the thought but quickly shut it out of my brain as I throw the car in drive.
As soon as we get on the road, it’s apparent that traffic is horrible. I find myself becoming increasingly annoyed. I already have a short temper, and this traffic certainly isn’t helping. My anger shows slightly when a cherry-red Audi cuts me off.
“Are you fucking kidding me, asshole!” I shout. It takes me a moment to notice that Amber is laughing in the passenger seat.
I’m glad one of us finds my temper amusing,I think as I pass the Audi, flipping him the bird.
Amber is killing it as a DJ, but the music doesn’t calm my rage. I glance at her and smile at her attempt. I’ve always loved the way the sun glistens off her perfect brown skin.
She’s dancing in the shotgun seat. I can’t help but grin, temporarily releasing the road rage boiling inside me. When we finally reach the store, my anger instantly increases again at the look of the parking lot.
Of course, parking is awful right now.Amber smiles at me, seeming to sense my frustration.Hell, I’m pretty sure the homeless guy halfway down the street can sense my frustration.
“Maybe next time, I need to drive. It’ll save you a little bit of money, not having to go to your anger management counselor,” Amber teases.
“Ha ha,” I say back sarcastically. I do enjoy the jokes deep down. They make me feel a little giddy inside, knowing she notices my little quirks.There’s the damn spark again.
I circle the parking lot what seems to be thirty-five times before I finally spot a minivan backing out. I effortlessly whip into the spot as they leave, feeling satisfied with myself.
Thank God that’s over.I glance over at Amber, who’s staring at me quietly. She has a hint of a small smile on her lips but doesn’t say anything.Great. She probably thinks I’m a maniac now. I need to break the tension.
“I apologize for my road rage. It seems to slip out sometimes,” I say with a halfhearted smile. My smile quickly changes to a genuine one, though, as Amber’s laugh roars loudly.
“You might have a smidge of a temper while driving,” she says, still laughing. I quickly undo my seatbelt and open the door, clambering out. I scurry around the car, hoping to get to Amber’s door before she opens it.
As I reach the passenger side, I find myself successful, so I open her door with a smile. Amber returns my smile as she steps out of the car. I can’t help but think about how perfect she looks, even just at the supermarket. Her dark brown hair waves in the slight breeze, causing my heart to skip for a second.
“Thank you, Kaden,” she says, reaching down to grab my hand and instantly giving me butterflies.
“Of course,” I say gleefully, as any hint of anger left in my sails leaves my body. The feeling of her warm skin on mine is almost intoxicating.
Amber all but drags me into the market, but I don’t mind as long as I get to keep holding her hand. When we get inside, I grab a shopping cart but only make it about five feet before realizing I might have picked the squeakiest one in the store.
I sigh deeply and return it, exchanging it for a silent one. Amber’s laughing again, which is music to my ear.
She’s going to have all my quirks down before long,I think to myself as we walk deeper into the store.Hopefully, she doesn’t think I’m a nut job before this is all said and done.
I follow Amber into the produce aisle. While she’s looking at apples, I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket. I quickly remove it to find a business email staring me in the face.
Great, just when I’m finally enjoying myself.A slight annoyance returns to my bloodstream.No, I don’t need to worry about work right now. I’m here to enjoy myself with Amber.
I quickly stow my phone and turn my attention back to Amber, now looking at me with a raised eyebrow. “Everything okay? I felt your blood pressure rise from here,” she says, teasing me again.
God, I actually enjoy the way she jokes with me. “Of course, I was just passing the time. I was worried your boss would call, and I’d have to stare at grapefruits for an hour,” I say, shooting taunts right back at her.
Amber busts out laughing again, and the sound of it is so pure I can’t help but laugh with her. I enjoy how easy it is to be myself around her. I sometimes find myself too caught up in CEO me. I forget to slow down and just be Kaden again.
