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It’s all coming together.
As I place the box of flowers on an empty table, I scan the room for one of the trolly things Mitch showed me last week. I sigh, not seeing one. I guess it’s back to the multiple trips with the centrepieces.
I’m on my third trip pulling boxes out when a shadow falls over me.
“Why didn’t you ask for help?”
I don’t need to turn around to know who it is. That voice can rival any narrators.
I sigh, pulling myself from the van and placing my hands on my hips while I face him. “I can manage.”
“I know you can, but you don’t have to,” Mitch says, crossing his arms over his chest.
Damn those arms with the muscles and their rolled-up sleeves.
His gaze drops to my lips as I say his name, an expression I can’t read crossing his face before he meets my eyes again.
“I’m never too busy for you, Rachel.” His voice is deep and husky, adding to the overwhelming feeling of desire I already have when he’s around.
“I…uh…” I can’t think as he takes a step toward me. “You don’t even know me.” I look up at him, realizing for the first time just how much taller he is than me. I barely come up to his shoulders.
He leans in, his arms caging me in against the corner of the van. I have nowhere to go; I can only look up into his hypnotizing blue eyes as I’m captivated by his scent. It’s rugged, and spicy, and makes me think of all things manly.
He drops his head, bringing his mouth to my ear and whispers, “Maybe I want to get to know you.”
He’s so close if I moved slightly, the stubble on his cheek would brush against my skin. I have to resist the urge to raise my hands and clutch his shirt to hold him tightly to me. I want to bring my lips to his and officially close the distance between us. I want to know what his kiss feels like. Tastes like. I’ve neverneededto know something so bad in my life.
He leans forward slightly until our skin almost touches. I can feel the heat of his body, smell the mint on his breath, as if he’s been chewing gum. I close my eyes and tilt up my face. My breath stops when I feel him get closer.
That’s when he chuckles.
I open my eyes to find him reaching inside the van and grabbing a box.
“Let me help you with the rest of these.”
He was grabbing a box. Offuckingcourse, he was just grabbing a box. He wasn’t going to kiss me. Why would I have even thought that was a possibility?
“Right. Of course. We need to get these inside.”
I avoid his gaze as I reach for a box. I’m embarrassed and kicking myself for misunderstanding what he said. We live in the same town and have the same friend group. Of course, we would get to know each other.
“Hey,” he says, blocking my way from making a quick exit. “Are you okay?”
“Yup, great!” I say with as much fake enthusiasm as I can manage, while forcing a smile on my face.
He gives me a quizzical look before he nods and turns. Blowing out a breath, I take a moment alone to centre myself before following him back in.
“Smooth, Rachel. Very smooth.”
* * *
“Rachel!”
I have one foot out the door, ready to make my escape, when Skylar’s frantic voice calls me back.
After dropping off the flowers, Mitch had been called back to the tasting room and I haven’t seen him since, which relieves me. I’ve embarrassed myself enough for one day, thank-you-very-much.
I watch as Skylar weaves through tables. Her cheeks red, looking stressed out. “Thank goodness I caught you! I have to ask you for ahugefavour.”
