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“Oh shit, I forgot about that.” This is just one of many charity events my mom organizes. Tatum and I always help her with all her events, but lately I’ve been so caught up with Ledger I spaced on what day it is.
“Are you taking Ledger with you? Mom would have a heart attack.” She breaks off a piece of her scone.
“I don’t want to subject him to that level of craziness. Plus, I’m sure he wouldn’t be interested, anyway.” I wave my hand, dismissing the thought. “I’ll find someone to go with me. That way, I don’t have to be set up by Mom.”
“How is that going for you? Did she introduce you to the new lawyer in town? Apparently, he joined the country club and from what I hear, she’s been talking you up.” She gives me a devilish smile.
“Ugh.” I roll my eyes. “No. Why can’t she stop meddling and let me find my own dates?”
“You know she won’t do that until you're walking down the aisle and popping out a baby. Hopefully not at the same time.”
“She needs to focus on her own life and stop worrying about mine.”
She shrugs. “Mom lives to meddle, so that’s never going to happen.”
I sigh. Unfortunately, it’s the truth. Once she gets her way, she finds something new to fixate on. For a month straight, she hounded me about dying my hair to have a fresh, new look. “I could ask Trey. He’d be a good choice. Plus, Mom has always loved him, so I know he’d have her approval. Forget the American dream. The actual dream is to have Mom’s approval.” The sarcasm is clear in my tone.
We finish our coffee and pastries, and I order a couple of breakfast sandwiches to bring to Ledger on my way home. Plus, it’s another excuse to see him.
* * *
I drive to the other side of town to make an unannounced stop at Ledger’s shop. When I walk inside, he’s lowering a car to the ground with one of the lifts. A spark of hope ignites inside me. Maybe he’s finished for the day and we can spend some time together.
“Hey, how’s it going?” The clacking of my heels against the cement draws his attention.
His gaze peers over at me and never leaves mine until the car is on the ground. “What do I owe this pleasure?”
“I just finished breakfast with my sister and thought I would drop by.” Once I’m standing in front of him, my heart hammers in my chest. “Have I ever told you how sexy you look in your mechanic shirt with grease smeared on your hands?”
“I still attest that you look a hell of a lot better in my shirts than I do.” His gaze lingers on mine as if he’s debating if he wants to eat the sandwich or me. With his hooded eyes, I vote me. “Come on, let’s go to my office.”
It’s me! It’s me! Good thing I put on my lucky lace thong this morning.
He grabs the bag from my hands. “This smells delicious.”
A pang of disappointment flits through me, but I’m careful to not let it show. He wants the actual meal and not thememeal.
He bends down and kisses me, careful not to get his grease covered hands on my outfit this time. I’ve ruined three dresses because of him but let me say, each time was totally worth it.
On our way to his office, he pauses at a utility sink to scrub his hands with Orange Goop. Supposedly, it’s better for getting the grease off, but from his years of working, he has permanently stained fingertips. After his hands are clean, or as clean as they can be, he pulls me to him for a proper kiss. His warm body presses against mine as his fingers dig into my waist. These are the moments I love. Being wrapped in his arms with his lips on mine. It’s sweet, but sensual at the same time. Kissing him is quickly becoming my favorite pastime. When we break apart, he leads me the rest of the way to his office. He takes a seat behind the desk, and I take my usual spot on the desktop facing him.
“How was breakfast with your sister?” he asks as he unravels the top of the bag and pulls out a bagel sandwich.
“It was good. She reminded me of a charity gala I totally forgot about coming up in a couple of weeks.” I contemplate if I should invite Ledger. But his wandering gaze makes me change my mind. It’s not his type of thing so I’m sure he won’t want to go, anyway. These are black tie events and I highly doubt he even owns a tie, let alone a suit. Trey would be a more logical choice. Plus, socializing is more his speed and I know he has a closet full of suits.
“That sounds like a fun time,” he deadpans.
Moving on to a more neutral topic, I ask, “So, what are you doing for the rest of the day?”
“I’m finished in the shop, but I do need to go grocery shopping. I think the milk in my fridge has turned into cottage cheese.” He takes a bite of his sandwich.
My nose scrunches. “That’s gross. But I love shopping. And I have nothing going on for the rest of the day, so I’ll come with you.”
“You enjoy grocery shopping?” He drops his sandwich and rests his elbows on the desk. “Like the people who insist on stopping in the middle of the aisle so no one can walk past them? Or others who walk so slow as if they’re on a Sunday drive enjoying the scenery?”
I lift one shoulder and let it drop. “I enjoy every kind of shopping.”
He barks out a laugh and leans back in his chair. “Sure. I won’t say no to the company.”
