“Hey, baby girl. How did the cake tasting go? Did you pick out a cake?”
Pressing my lips together, I tried to figure out how to deliver the blow. “No. But I did kick Johnny in the balls out on the sidewalk in front of the bakery.”
Silence.
“You remember that time I hit Walker with the golf club?”
“Yes,” my mother said slowly.
“Picture that. He went down on one knee pretty damn fast.”
“What happened?”
Rolling my eyes, I wiped the tears away. “He met someone else. Someone who made him feel alive. He had sex with her, Mom. The bastard cheated on me. I hate him.”
“Oh, sweetheart. I’m so sorry this has happened to you. Baby, why don’t you head on home and spend a few days with us. I know your father would love to have you home.”
Laughing, I shook my head and said, “Oh, I’m sure he would. The second he sees me he’s going to say I told you so.”
“He would not, Ava Moore. Your father loves you and cares about you.”
Closing my eyes tightly, I whispered, “I know.”
Before I had a chance to open my eyes, I slammed into someone. My eyes flew open as my phone flew out of my hand and I let out a curse word.
“Shit!”
I had been stopped dead in my tracks. Dropping down, I reached for my phone and for the papers I’d just caused this man to drop. As I lifted my eyes, I sucked in a breath of air.
Beautiful hazel eyes stared into my blue. “I-I’m so sorry,” I said as I handed him a few pieces of paper.
The smile that spread across his face caused the earth to shake. Okay, not really, but it felt like it. I almost fell back onto my ass as I tried to contain the crazy feeling that zipped through my body when his hand brushed lightly across mine.
“I wasn’t looking where I was going,” I said, as he helped me into a standing position.
The beautiful mystery man pinned me with his stare. My eyes roamed his perfect face. He was slightly tan, but I couldn’t tell if that was from the sun or his genes. His dark hair had that perfect messy look to it as he ran his hand through it and laughed.
“You don’t say? It’s not every day I run into a beautiful lady. I believe my day has officially been made.”
His voice sounded like an angel.
Okay, so I don’t really know what an angel would sound like, but if I could imagine it, I’d say this guy had it down. It was soft, yet masculine. Sexy, yet compassionate.
“I’m glad,” I whispered.
He lifted his eyebrows and tilted his head as his eyes landed on my lips. “Glad you ran into me?”
My cell phone began ringing in my hand as I lifted it up to see it was my mother. Shit! I’d forgotten she was on the line. Giving him an awkward smile, I said, “No! Well, yes. No wait, I’m glad your day has been made … by me running into you.”
Oh dear God, Ava. Stop talking. Lifting my phone, I grinned and said, “It’s my mom.”
“May I at least get your name?”
My teeth sunk down into my lip as I let out a soft chuckle. “Ava.”
Mystery man’s eyes lit up as he gave me a slight nod, followed by the sexiest wink I’d ever seen. He lifted his hand to my chin and forced my eyes to his. If I hadn’t been acutely aware of every single action he made, I’d have missed his thumb move lightly over my bottom lip.
“The pleasure was most defiantly mine, Ava.”
The stupid goofy grin on my face was evident as he chuckled, dropped his hand, and began walking off as I stood there in a stupor.
My phone rang again as I hit answer and whispered, “Hello?”
“Ava, are you okay? What happened?”
I shook my head to clear my thoughts as I glanced over my shoulder at my mystery man walking away from me. Getting a grip on myself, I headed toward my car. I was so thankful I had suggested meeting Johnny at the bakery.
“Sorry, Mom. I accidentally ran into someone. Hey, I think I’m going to do what you said. I need a few days of fresh country air. Besides, I can work from anywhere.”
I could practically hear my mother jumping. “Oh good! When are you coming?”
“Today. I just need to go to my place and pack a bag.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Be careful driving, and we’ll see you in a few hours. Oh, I’ll make your favorite dinner!”
Reaching my car, I turned around again. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe I was hoping my mystery man would be standing there.
“Sounds great, Mom. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Ava. We’ll have you forgetting Johnny in no time.”
Slipping into the driver’s seat, I started my car and said, “Johnny who?”
RUSHING INTO MY condo, I felt my phone buzz. My mother had been coddling me ever since I went back home and spent two days with my parents in Llano.
I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh as I swiped across my phone and breathed out. “Hey, Mom. I’m fine. I’m still alive, and no I haven’t cried once. It’s been almost three weeks. I’m so beyond over it.”